As there are pros and cons to everything, workout classes and personal trainers are no different. Having experience with both personal training/work out classes as well as working out on my own, I have come up with some pros and cons to help you answer the question of “are workout classes and personal trainers worth it?”
I think that the biggest pro for hiring a personal trainer or attending workout classes is accountability. If you are someone who has difficulty keeping yourself on track, as well as keeping up with your workouts and meal plans, then hiring a personal trainer would probably be beneficial to you provided you’re willing to shell out the money. Are personal trainers worth it in this case? Yes.
Coinciding with accountability, if you finally get to the gym and need someone pushing you to keep going and do the extra ten minutes or 20 reps then I would also say either working out with a friend or working out with a trainer/in a class is a good call. No one wants to be that girl who’s sitting on the spin bike while everyone else is doing that standing up peddling thing…embarrassing.
Essentially, if you don’t know much about working out or how to reach the goals you want (toning, losing weight, gaining endurance) then these avenues are your best bet. The reason being that taking a class or meeting with a trainer is a good place to start, even if you only go a handful of times. If you hire a trainer, you will get personalized workouts that are catered to your needs and it will decrease your risk of injury if you learn to use equipment correctly. They can give you the tools and knowledge for a healthier future.
Obviously, a huge drawback is that you have to pay, and it ain’t cheap. If you are already paying an expensive monthly rate then this can be a downer. It really depends on the person and what you decide to spend your money on.
If you are committed to working out, you can do everything on your own. Instead of spinning, buy a bike. If you want to do Yoga or Pilates you can download an app, watch YouTube videos, or buy a DVD (do people still use these?). I personally love to run outside for exercise since it is an all-around better workout than running on a treadmill or doing the elliptical. Another alternative to hiring a trainer is to pay for something like Kayla Itsines’s BBG workout (or I guess it’s called sweat with Kayla now?) for $19.99/month.
Apparently, it is not that easy to go online and become a “certified personal trainer.” Kudos to everyone out there who is one, but try to be careful before you spend lots of money on someone who may not be a professional. It is important to keep in mind that spending money on a personal trainer without changing your diet won’t elicit the best results and many personal trainers are not also nutritionists.
Level with yourself and decide whether it is the best option for you!
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