What does a personal trainer do?

Updated on August 30, 2019

Personal trainers have the knowledge, skills and abilities which are needed to design safe and effective fitness, exercise and nutrition programmes. These trainers instruct and assist people to reach their personal health and fitness goals.

Because of TV shows and celebrities who hire personal trainers, this career path is a much widely known-about than ever before. This makes personal trainers recognisable as being a real and active part of individuals setting and achieving their fitness and health goals. The role that trainers play in helping their fitness clients is increasingly taking the spotlight. Passion, purpose, caring and coaching — these are the qualities that make a far greater impact than the size of a personal trainer’s muscles. This doesn’t mean that we’re discounting a trainer’s outward experience altogether. We’re just saying that there’s a lot more to personal training than meets the eye. 

The responsibilities and roles of a personal trainer

Personal trainers have many responsibilities and roles in terms of maintaining the scope of practice for their profession as well as within the confines of their certification.A personal trainer will work with their clients, either in a tiny group setting or one-on-one, on their health and fitness goals. This work includes: 

  • Developing the muscular endurance of a client, 
  • Improving a client’s cardiovascular abilities, and 
  • Improving a client’s flexibility. 

A personal trainer may also be requested to design or revise specific workout routines for their clients. This is in order to attain extra weight loss, speed, or muscle toning. In some cases, personal trainers will also assist clients with their health and nutrition plans. For example, they may recommend that the client keeps a food diary or that they work with a nutritionist.

Discuss Client Needs and Assess Fitness

First off, your personal trainer will ask you what you want out of your sessions with them:

  • Do you want to lose weight?
  • Are you interested in building strength and flexibility?
  • Do you want to see an improvement in cardiovascular health.

Then your trainer will assess your current fitness level. He or she will take into account any medical conditions or constraints which you are currently suffering from. Often, your trainer will measure your body composition. In addition, they will check your weight and give you strength and endurance tests.

Set Long-Term and Short-Term Health and Fitness Goals

The next thing that your personal trainer will do is to set short-term and long-term fitness goals. Short-term fitness goals are measurable factors, such losing a certain number of pounds, toning up particular body parts or upping the amount of weight you can lift. Long-term fitness goals are, for example, reaching your weight-loss,  flexibility or strength goals and improving your overall health as well as maintaining it.

Make a Realistic Plan

After this, your personal trainer will create a personalised plan for you in order to help you to accomplish your health and fitness goals. Trainers will often vary aerobic exercises – such as walking, running or using treadmills and elliptical machines – with strength training. Some personal trainers add sports to the exercise plan in addition to group aerobic dance or Pilates classes. A nutritional plan is often included to support your fitness plan.

Show You The Ropes

The next step, after creating your exercise and nutrition plan, is for the personal trainer to teach you how to do the exercises. He or she will also confirm that you’re doing them right. Body position is key with exercises. It’s the job of a personal trainer to:

  • Monitor you, 
  • Ensure that you’re doing the exercises safely and effectively, as well as 
  • Alter the programme as necessary. 

Motivate and Encourage

One of the most crucial roles and responsibilities of the personal trainer is to encourage you to succeed in your fitness goals. They are also instrumental in cheering you on to do your best. Exercising is should be fun. An effective personal trainer will show you how to avoid getting bored with your exercise routine as well as how to drive yourself to succeed when you feel like throwing in the towel.

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