Exercise

Personal trainers: for you or not for you?

Monday, July 5, 2010
Once upon a time, it was only the famous and very rich who enlisted the help of personal trainers to help keep them in shape. But these days, personal trainers are popular with a wide variety of people.

"Personal trainers are now very accessible and are considered to be effective," says Lauretta Stace, Chief Executive Officer of Fitness Australia. "Shows like The Biggest Loser help people to understand the role of a personal trainer and that personal training does get results, such as weight loss. However, most personal trainers would agree that becoming fit and healthy is a long-term strategy for most people, not a quick-fix."

The great news for us mere mortals just trying to be fit enough for the day-to-day demands of life is that hiring a personal trainer is more affordable than ever!

"Exercise and fitness is no longer an issue that revolves around glamour and appearance," says Lauretta. "It is now an important part of being healthy and remaining that way for an enhanced quality of life into the future. The cost of using a personal trainer is really an investment in your longer term health and fitness, so I believe it is a prudent investment.

"And you can pay even less, by working with a trainer in a small group, maybe with friends or work colleagues. There are now many flexible options available for working with a trainer which gives people greater choice and they can shop around. Most people don't baulk at spending money on the latest technology or beauty services and products. A similar investment should be made in your health and wellbeing."

Lauretta says personal trainers are increasing in popularity because people consider it to be a very motivating, fun, safe and effective way to exercise and meet their fitness and health goals, regardless of age or current fitness level.

"There are loads of benefits of using a PT," she adds. "Goals are set with the client and worked towards in a collaborative and supportive manner; it is far more motivating if someone is there to keep you focused and it's a safe option too, as exercise programs are tailored to meet the needs and abilities of the individual."

Here's some info from Fitness Australia about personal trainers:

Your personal trainer is there to:

  • Help you make the best use of your exercise time.
  • Help with technique, for the sake of both efficiency and safety.
  • Monitor your progress.
  • Adjust your exercise program in response to your changing fitness level.
  • Offer sound advice on good nutrition.
  • Vary your exercise options to keep you motivated, interested and enjoying your workouts.

Average cost:

One-on-one: from around $40 per hour.
Group PT sessions: from around $12 per hour. Can be purchased in packs (ie. 10 or 20-session packs).

Best suited to:

  • Anyone who needs additional motivation, advice and support to increase their level of exercise and make positive changes to their lifestyle.
  • Inexperienced people who need special attention, education and support or those who prefer individual, personalised or small group training as opposed to group exercise or developing their own program.
  • People who enjoy goal-setting and monitoring their progress — this is more easily achieved with a personal trainer.
  • People who enjoy a broader range of exercise activities, including outdoor training.

Other things to consider

  • Find out what the trainer specialises in and decide on your needs.
  • Feel comfortable with their training approach.
  • Ask to see proof of their public liability insurance cover.
  • Check out the fees and their policy on contracts and cancellations.
  • If you already belong to a fitness centre, ask whether the centre will allow your personal trainer to train you there.

You can check that the trainer is registered as a personal trainer with Fitness Australia through the relevant state or territory association.
Remember, personal trainers can also be accessed through your local gym.

For even more information visit www.fitness.org.au and to find out if your personal trainer is registered with Fitness Australia, call 1300 211 311.

Your say

Have you had a personal trainer? Did you feel you were getting value-for-money?
User comments
Thankyou for the post. I have been considering the use of a personal trainer to help me reach my fitness goals. This has been helpful.
I have had 2 PT's in my lifetime. thefirst was young and inexperienced and my current one is 50yrs old with much experience. He specialises in womans physique and figure modeling with AND and KNOWs how to train different body types. its my 4th week and im seeing results. its a 12week program, so im looking forward to putting a pair of tight jeans on at the end! (i wish i could have aPT forever!) He charges me $50 hour which i think is reasonable.
I always felt really self concious in the gym - worrying that people were looking at me and uncomfortable in the male dominated environment. Then i saw 'female only' personal training for small groups advertised and gave it a go. Now i don't go to the gym at all - i get all the exercise i need at my girls boot camp sessions and it's out in the fresh air. The personal trainer is great at getting us motivated and push ourselves harder than we ever would on our own.

VOTE
advertisement
advertisement

VIDEOS

PHOTOS

ARTICLES

Valentine's Day - Hollywood's Happiest CouplesValentine's Day - Hollywood's Happiest Couples Katy Perry Will Perform at GrammysKaty Perry Will Perform at Grammys Celebrities Pay Tribute to Whitney HoustonCelebrities Pay Tribute to Whitney Houston

Today's top 5

Billy Bob Thornton: I will always love AngelinaBilly Bob Thornton: I will always love AngelinaAngelina Jolie's ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton clearly still has a soft spot for her, saying he will "love her until the end of my life". Nicole and Tom's war over IsabellaNicole and Tom's war over IsabellaThe furious actress hits LA to demand a meeting with her ex-husband over their daughter’s looming marriage to Eddie Frencher. Kate and William's kidnap terrorKate and William's kidnap terrorFears for the safety of Prince William and his wife are at an all-time high as the pair’s security is labelled ‘incompetent’. Devoted husband sends a love letter for his wife to Woman's DayDevoted husband sends a love letter for his wife to Woman's DayWhen Todd Hobson asked us to help out his sick wife, he was in for a surprise of his own. NRL cougar Charmyne Palavi becomes a grandmotherNRL cougar Charmyne Palavi becomes a grandmotherShe famously dated young footballers, but now the blonde beauty is smitten by a far younger bloke – her first grandchild.

News in pictures

Face-off

Christina Ricci
Christina Hendricks
Best dressed at the BAFTA Awards
Who was the best dressed at this year's BAFTA Awards? You decide!
play now!

Your say

Most commented

Sara Leonardi-McGrath: Our family joySara Leonardi-McGrath: Our family joyIt is never too soon or too late to remarry but Mc Grath has made a disastrous decision with Leonardi He doesn't expect such negative reactions from the public because he thought that he could easily sell her image and pocket big money with the popularity of his unfortunate late wife Wrong honey Its not that easy!!!!! I dont know her personally but via her interviews and tweets everybody can see that she is a loathsome arrogant pretentious ridiculous and stupid person . Its her life but she should shut her large mouth and stop promoting herself in magazines or tweetsr if she doesnt want to read bad crictics from the publicfrank, bondi18 CommentsPost commentView comments
Sara Leonardi-McGrath: Our family joySara Leonardi-McGrath: Our family joyIt is never too soon or too late to remarry but Mc Grath has made a disastrous decision with Leonardi He doesn't expect such negative reactions from the public because he thought that he could easily sell her image and pocket big money with the popularity of his unfortunate late wife Wrong honey Its not that easy!!!!! I dont know her personally but via her interviews and tweets everybody can see that she is a loathsome arrogant pretentious ridiculous and stupid person . Its her life but she should shut her large mouth and stop promoting herself in magazines or tweetsr if she doesnt want to read bad crictics from the publicfrank, bondi18 CommentsPost commentView comments Mel B is new host on Dancing with the StarsMel B is new host on Dancing with the StarsWell you aint gonna get my support DWTS - I dont like Mel B one bit, what is wrong with getting a good looking aussie girl to host the show? Mel B is a has been, she is no longer famous. Stop giving our jobs away!Boo, QLD18 CommentsPost commentView comments Unhappy housewifeTrue Confessions Agony Aunt: My husband and kids take me for grantedAh women attacking women yet again. So much for the sisterhood. I am a stay at home Mum. I do not "bludge" off my husband. I manage the house, the meals, the money and everyone's schedules. I do not have a "clock off" time. But I do have break times. When my son is at school and my baby boy is asleep I can put my feet up, read a book etc. I do make time for myself and yes I do complain sometimes especially when I am tired. My husband also comes home from work and complains about his job sometimes. Everybody has a right to have a bit of a whinge regardless of the choices they made in life. I love my role and despite some complaints from me there are also many rich rewards. I have not missed a moment of my baby's life so far, I get to help my older boy with his homework and be involved with his life. If you feel unappreciated speak up. I do if I feel I am being taken for granted. Your job is so important and you desrve some respect even if you don't bring in a wage.Ads, Vermont Vic16 CommentsPost commentView comments Nicole Kidman's panic: I've lost my baby girlNicole Kidman's panic: I've lost my baby girlIts a shame there are so many misconceptions about Scientology. Perhaps some want it that way. I have been in it for may years on and get annoyed by the stuff written about it. The media like to sell their magazines by creating controversy about the religion and the celebs that belong to it. One also wonders if vested interests who want to put Scientology out of business because of its genuine stance against pharmaceutical drugging of kids and abuse of human rights might be financing some of these attacks. Scientology is about spiritual awareness. Something that I feel this society is short of. Especially when a society seems to be rife with magazines full of gosip based not nessecarily on fact but what someone thinks people want to hear. Good luck to the happy couple and if it doesnt work out then good luck to both of them anyway. StanStan the Man, Adelaide14 CommentsPost commentView comments NRL cougar Charmyne Palavi becomes a grandmotherNRL cougar Charmyne Palavi becomes a grandmotherEducate your children, STOP feeding them rubbish, STOP chasing youth in yourself as it's long gone and in your partners, STOP posting immoral rantings on FB for your children to see and STOP playing the victim! You might just find there is a whole world out there beyond teenage pregnancies, fake tans and McDonald's!!well travelled, Sydney13 CommentsPost commentView comments