A Little Encouragement from a Professional Can Help Everyone

Contributed by Joe Bocek, Fitness Director SPORT FIT Severna Park

This warm spring weather is just the thing to get us moving and more active. I found myself going for a walk with my mom the other day to encourage her to incorporate more exercise into her daily routine. Too often we underestimate the benefits of a little encouragement - we all need some motivation and exercise is no different. It is for these same reasons you can benefit from hiring a personal trainer.

There are dozens of reasons to work with a personal trainer, and the fact that I am a trainer is not one of them. You see, there is a misconception that personal training is for people who do not know a lot about fitness or are just starting out. While these two groups can benefit from personal training, so can the most advanced athlete or the retired 60 something looking to just feel better and be healthier. Personal training in many situations is really about two major elements: accountability and reaching a higher level of health, or optimal fitness.

We all need accountability in our lives to help us finish on time or just improve the way we do things. It’s why we have managers and CEOs (and why CEOs have a board to answer to) at work and, whether we want it or not sometimes, benefit from our “other halves” at home. It’s the same reason why personal training continues to help more and more people every year: it holds you accountable. There is a set time and appointment you cannot miss. There is also someone who charts your progress, checks how you’re doing, and cheers you on. We all want someone to take an interest in us, and we can get this from having a good personal trainer.

The other benefit of personal training is just being healthier and maybe even reaching a level of optimal fitness for us. There’s always room for improvement, and when we have a professional guide us, we can get that much better. For example: LaDainian Tomlinson is a running back for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, a former league MVP, and one of the best football players playing today. He has a team conditioning program offered by one of the country’s best strength coaches that he doesn’t need to pay extra for, but he chooses to work on his own with a private personal trainer. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting his trainer, Todd Durkin, who has been training Tomlinson for a few years now and Tomlinson sings his praises. Durkin is a very good trainer with more exercises and ideas than you can fit on a DVD video (he has several) and a great ability to motivate. His personal attention takes his clients to the next level. There are stories like this for just about every great athlete: Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm, Ray Lewis, Serena and Venus Williams, etc. I personally have my best workouts when I train with another trainer. It is not because they have better ideas necessarily, it is that I believe they can get the most out of me just as I try to do for everyone one of my clients.

Most importantly, personal training should be convenient. It needs to fit with your goals, personality, and schedule. You may want to meet with your trainer for 30-45 minutes or one hour every week or two. It should be all about you!
Whether you are a new exerciser or seasoned workout warrior, think about what more you can get out of life and healthier living by working with a personal trainer. Or maybe you’ll luck out like my mother, and one of your children will become a certified personal trainer themselves. Just don’t miss the chance to take that first step and go for a stroll these fine July evenings!