What IS a personal trainer, exactly?

Maybe you’ve always wanted to work with a personal trainer, but weren’t sure how to connect with a certified fitness professional. Perhaps you’ve been waiting until you’ve settled into a workout routine on your own before you go to a pro to take you to the next level. Good news: no matter where you’re at in your health and fitness, our certified personal trainers are excited to get to know you, develop a plan customized to your needs, and support you as you make strides toward your goals.

What does a personal trainer do?

Trainers work with you to find what motivates you to push yourself. They use their professional knowledge to develop workouts that will meet you at the nexus of challenge and ability, and keep you on track toward becoming the healthiest, happiest version of yourself.

When you work with a trainer, you’ll develop a long-term working relationship. Over time, you’ll work together to reassess your progress and goals. Your trainer will regularly check in with you to ensure that you continue to feel challenged by your workouts, and can revise your plan to accommodate new goals.

When you’re looking for a fitness professional who can safely and effectively help you get the results you want, it’s vital that you choose a certified personal trainer. At Fitness Together, our trainers are vetted, certified, and ready to help you get healthy and strong.

A personal trainer is a fitness professional who has a certification from a professional fitness organization, such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Trainers who go through the certification process undergo rigorous safety and professional training, allowing them to create efficient, effective programs to help clients take their fitness to the next level.

When you choose to work with a personal trainer, you aren’t just getting a source of encouragement who will help you get to the last rep. Your trainer will get to know you, figure out exactly what methods of training work for your body, and help you move toward your goals, always keeping your safety at the forefront of your training program.

Certification: it matters.

Anyone can call themselves a fitness coach or fitness trainer, but only a fitness pro who has gone through a rigorous training program can use the title of certified personal trainer, or CPT.
Certified personal trainers are required to demonstrate knowledge in a number of areas before certification is awarded, including:

• Client intake and assessment
• Anatomy and physiology
• Exercise technique and program design
• Kinesiology
• Nutrition
• Injury prevention
• CPR and first aid

Finding the right personal trainer to give you the boost you need

Finding the right trainer for you can be the same as finding a great doctor–qualifications matter, but personality matters too. You should be comfortable with and motivated by your trainer, and it’s important that you feel that you’re able to talk to your trainer when you have a question or concern.

You may also want to choose a personal trainer who can help you in an area that’s a particular struggle for you. Some trainers specialize in a certain area, such as behavioral change or nutritional coaching. When you choose a trainer who has a specialization in your area of need, you’re getting someone who has the knowledge and the skills required to help you overcome hurdles and finally make the progress you want.

At Fitness Together, we’re excited to get to know you and match you with one of our on-staff certified personal trainers who will motivate, educate, and support you as you work toward your goals.

What to expect during your first personal training session

If you’ve never worked with a personal trainer before, you may be unsure of what to expect when you come into the studio for your first session.

It’s normal to be nervous when it comes to trying something new but remember–your trainer has the tools and skills necessary to help you move forward. They got into the fitness field because they love helping others feel healthy and strong, and you won’t be judged, no matter what your starting point.

Much of your first meeting with your trainer will involve discussing your goals for your training sessions. You’ll also discuss any injuries that you’ve had in the past, as well as questions or concerns you have about the process of starting your fitness journey.

Your trainer will take you through a series of exercises to get a sense of your starting point. You may work through a basic session during your first meeting with your trainer, or your trainer may prefer that they have a chance to develop your personalized plan before moving forward with your sessions.

When it comes to successful personal training, communication is key. Let your trainer know if something feels too challenging or not challenging enough, and be honest with them about the struggles you’re facing. It’s your trainer’s job to help you succeed, and the more open and honest you can be, the more they’ll be able to push you toward your goals.

Ready to work? Our certified trainers are waiting to meet you.

At Fitness Together, our team of certified trainers is here to work with you, understand your unique goals, and develop a plan to help you get to where you want to be. Whether you’re looking to gain the energy to keep up with your kids or you’re working to learn how to strength train to develop muscle mass, we’re here to help.

Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation with one of our trainers–we’re excited to get to know you and help you work toward your goals.