I’m now three weeks into my 6 month training with Body Clinic so I thought now would be a good time to share some updates with you. The main aim of this post is to talk you through the benefits of personal training, if you’re considering it.
Please note: I’ve paid for this training in full, so this isn’t a biased review. It’s just a look at my experiences so far.
My Progress
This week we’ve been focussing on my eating. I’ve started using MyFitnessPal again. I know people have loads of opinions about calorie counting, but it’s not to count calories, it’s more just to hold myself accountable.
I was eating chocolate everyday. Which is quite obviously not a healthy lifestyle choice. So far, I’ve managed to cut two days out of this week.
James, my PT, said that I don’t eat enough protein and I eat too many carbs. So, this week I’ve also been working on adding protein to my diet and cutting carbs out of one meal per day.
So far, so good.
Why Train With A Personal Trainer?
Training with a PT can be expensive, so you’ve got to really see the benefits in order to make such a financial leap. Some people – mainly the self-motivated amongst you – will find that you see results from joining the gym and creating your own routines. I’m not one of those people. So, here is why I, personally, choose to train with a PT…
The One-On-One Approach
Having my trainer on WhatsApp is probably not great for him, but it’s great for me! Whenever I have a question, I just fire it over. He knows what I’m looking to achieve and offers an abundance of great advice. If I’m not sure how to cook a certain meal, or why my back hurts or why the scales are going up (the list is ENDLESS), he will be there to help.
You get to know a personal trainer and they work with you to achieve your individual goals. If you go to classes or visit the gym, although you may have inductions, they don’t necessarily know the ins and outs of your goals.
The Motivation
Me and the gym have a love hate relationship. It loves to take my money and I hate going. If I’m booked in with a PT, I can’t flake out at the last minute because it’s rude. If I’m a member of a gym, though, I can easily talk myself into not going.
You can find this motivation by going to the gym with a friend, too. If you’re struggling to get up and go, you need to join forces with somebody to hold you accountable.
The Different Exercises
I once went to the gym over a 6 month period and did the exact same workout every time. I mean, WHAT WAS I THINKING? I don’t even remember seeing a marked difference, either. Each of my sessions at Body Clinic are very different so I can never guess what I’m working on.
Repetition is one of the main reasons people stop going to the gym. Working with a PT – or even going to classes time to time – can really help to mix up a routine.
Reduced Chance Of Injury
I’m learning how to correctly lift weights, to use machinery and to stand correctly. This greatly reduces my risk of injury. Even if you’re taught how to use everything correctly on your induction, the chance of you remembering it all is slim.
Having somebody watching you whilst you train and making adjustments based on your own individual issues is a real bonus.
Moving Forward…
These are just some of the benefits I’ve found. Others include the ability to create a personalised training plan and the fact that you’re challenged each session.
I’m going to put together a post about the benefits of classes, too, because I think PT sessions interspersed with classes suitable for your level of fitness is a really good way of keeping fit.
