Richard Tardif
The question is always, why work with a trainer? It’s a question I posed to myself years ago when I was obese and my health was failing. It was a last resort to hire a fitness trainer, and I’m thankful I did. I’m healthy and a part of changing people’s lives. In this four-part series, I will cover 20 reasons to hire a personal fitness trainer.
1-I won’t con you. I write books and stories about how the fitness industry and the media may not have you back. I won’t try to fool you. There are no shortages of companies and people out there selling “help you” products. There are no shortages of media, either, hawking for the industry. Magazine covers and websites with headlines making outrageous claims – Abs in 2 weeks! Tone your butt with this 2-minute workout. Unrealistic weight loss infomercials. The media even reports quick fix products that may harm you, the food too good to be true, undignified headlines on non-peer reviewed studies, lists of good and bad foods, unethical product sellers, and so on. This, you will never get from me. The truth is – healthy and fit is hard work and there are no miracles. If you give me 100 percent. I’ll give you 110 percent. That is my promise to you.
2-Determine your goals. Putting a dedicated fitness expert in your corner can net you invaluable expertise and support We can devise a smart workout strategy. You’ll be able to overcome emotional and physical roadblocks, and progress the proper way towards the results you’re after.
3-Accurate assessment. Don’t worry – I’m not going to pinch your waist with hospital looking devices. A fitness assessment will indicate a person’s current health and fitness status, and trainers use these results to design a fitness program suited to the individual. It also serves as a baseline for comparison months later. In many cases, it is you telling me about your health, which is the start of a good assessment. I don’t want you to proceed too fast. I want you to proceed at a pace suited to your starting health. I guarantee you – you will improve each session
4-Optimize your workout time. How you approach your workout will reflect in the results. As a basketball coach once told me, “Don’t half-ass it, your time is valuable. Stay focused, efficient and workout for the full hour.” A good trainer will show you how to optimize your time and efforts to get the most out of your training.
5-Ensure proper form. Technique. Technique. Technique. I cannot stress the importance of proper form. Form is essential during training. Witness someone at the gym bench pressing a heavy load on all machines? This person can push heavy every time because of proper form, and technique. Proper form helps to both reduce the risk of injury and get you the results you desire. During strength training, it is particularly necessary to be cautious of proper form because heavy weight lifting is involved. If you are lifting heavy weights in an improper form, you may put yourself at risk for injuries. It is because of this risk that it can be better to lift lighter weights in the right form as opposed to heavier weights in an improper form.
6-Exercise safety and rest. I am able to create classes and training sessions that are safe, effective and fun so that you have enjoyable experiences, feel motivated to adhere to a regular routine of physical activity and reap the many benefits that exercise has to offer, both physically and mentally.
Richard Tardif is a personal fitness trainer, fitness author, workshop presenter and an award-winning journalist writing and teaching about health and wellness for over 20 years. Richard’s specialty is working with active aging populations, a most challenging, interesting and satisfying opportunity for any fitness professional. Richard’s first book Stop the Denial: A Case for Embracing the Truth about Fitness, challenges, surprises, and inspires you to embrace a fitness lifestyle that will work in achieving your goals.
Email: richard@richardtardif.com. Website: www.richardtardif.com. Facebook: /embraceyourtruefitness. Twitter: @RichTardif
