Get A Personal Trainer: In A Group, On The Phone Or On The Internet?

photo credit: jontunn

When working out and trying to lose weight, one struggle that many often run into is that they aren’t able to get themselves properly motivated, and they just don’t have all the information they need.  You know you want to get fit, and you’re ok with exercising and eating right to make that happen, but you just don’t know where to start!

Many people find that using a personal trainer is a good way to keep themselves accountable and to make sure they’re doing things that will further their goals.  The problem is that a lot of the time getting a personal trainer can be prohibitively expensive.

In the last few years finding a personal trainer over the internet or getting training sessions over the phone has become more popular.  From the LA Times:

Now there’s training via Internet and the phone. Such coaching has become enormously popular in the last few years, spawning a mini-industry of tailored but flexible workouts. Some programs offer customized, downloadable regimens based on an online questionnaire, with little or no trainer interaction; others provide extensive one-on-one phone coaching.

Finding a personal trainer may still not be an option, but things like getting small group fitness training are now options as well.

Another option is small-group training, in which two to five people work with a trainer at once. It’s less expensive than one-on-one workouts and a good way to learn how to strength train properly.

When choosing a program, the key is to know thyself, says Margaret Moore, chief executive of the online coaching site Wellcoaches: “Some people want more of a relationship, while others are more into technology.”

So there are more options than ever to find a trainer, or training regimen that is perfect for you.  Just remember:

• Make sure the trainer has current certification from a reputable organization such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise, the National Academy of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Assn.
• Make sure your trainer is a good fit for you.   If you don’t click personally, you may want to work with someone else.
• Make sure you know what you’re getting for your money.

Fitness Sites That Tailor Workouts For You

There are a ton of sites out there that offer some good options in tailored workout plans, or personal training.  Here are a few:

• Workoutsforyou.com:  One appealing feature of this site is the varying levels of training programs, from the bare-bones “Access for You” plan with non-customized workouts and the exercise demo library, to the “Extras for You” program, with custom cardio and strength-training workouts and weekly trainer e-mails.
• Wellcoaches: Clients are matched to coaches who will best meet their needs, and counseling via phone and Internet is done with a holistic approach, tackling other issues such as stress and goal planning; has a partnership with the American College of Sports Medicine.
• Global Health & Fitness: Members are assigned to their own trainer, plus get personalized training and nutrition programs, fitness videos, podcasts and 24-hour access to the site’s experts.
• Plus One Active: The site offers workout plans, goal tracking and access to trainers. Trainer bios are online, allowing potential members to see their backgrounds and qualifications.

Have you ever worked with a personal trainer?  Was it a beneficial experience for you?  Tell us about it in the comments.