BENEFITS OF PERSONAL TRAINING vs. GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES
It takes a village to get through life, and creating a supportive network of caring people around us is no small task.
People need doctors to cure illnesses and stay healthy in general, and dentists to help keep our teeth clean and free of infection, etc. Some people might also need assistance from various types of mental health professionals and religious leaders in our community to get them through the tough times. Finding the right doctors, therapists, and religious leaders that are right for us can take some time, but it’s so important to have this network of support.
As we age and became wiser (hopefully…. LOL), we begin to tune into the small village we need around us to get through life as happily as possible. In addition to the medical doctors, mental health professionals, dentists, and religious leaders I mentioned earlier, I also feel one might need a wider network in their village to get through the day to day tasks that is required of us. This might include a personal trainer, group exercise instructor, physical therapist, massage therapist, chiropractor (if you use one), etc. etc. Once again, taking the time to find the right people in our “village” is hard, but can be very rewarding. Once you have found the right people for you, and discover the benefits they can add to your daily living, it’s makes life much more enjoyable. Finding our “tribe” and “village” can help us to lead very rewarding and fulfilling lives.
Finding our “tribe” and “village” can help us lead very healthy and fulfilling lives.
Getting older is not easy, and self care is extremely important to help us age as gracefully as possible. I work with many people through the course of my day to help them stay strong and healthy, and I wanted to write about the benefits of both personal training and group exercise classes. I am both a certified personal trainer and certified group exercise instructor. Although I love personal training and teaching a group exercise class, both types of services are very different.
WHAT IS PERSONAL TRAINING
A personal trainer is an individual certified to have a varying degree of knowledge of general fitness involved in exercise prescription and instruction. They motivate clients by setting goals and providing feedback and accountability to clients. There are many different types of personal training certifications, so be sure you know what caliber of certification your trainer has acquired.
Personal training can help to perfect your form because you have the undivided attention of your trainer.
BENEFITS OF PERSONAL TRAINING
Personal training offers you a personalized plan for you only!!!! A trainer can help you with your strength training goals as well as cardiovascular goals. They can tailer the workout to your specific needs in both of these areas and change things up on a weekly basis as you progress. Not only can the trainer help you during your session, but they can also help to outline a plan for you to accomplish during the rest of the week.
They can help you with your unique problem areas and issues. This is so important because everyone’s body has different problem areas, and working with someone privately to help you through this is incredibly useful.
Personal training is educational!!! Being educated while you are doing your exercises is key to maximizing effectiveness and reducing injury.
It helps to perfect your form because you have the undivided attention of the trainer. Form is so so important to prevent injury and strengthen the muscles properly.
They can help you towards your specific athletic goals you are trying to accomplish (a 5k, triathlon, long bike ride, etc.). Your goals might not be related to athletic event, and the trainer can help with this as well. For instance, some folks might want to work on walking up the stairs with ease, or strengthening the entire body so that they can play with their grandkids on the floor, etc, etc.
It offers a wide variety of exercises and the personal trainer helps to progress you steadily when you are ready, which will ultimately make your body stronger.
Helps to keep you accountable. As we all know, keeping accountable is not easy.
Flexibility in scheduling the time and location (gym, home, park, etc).
They help to improve your overall well-being. Most personal trainers love to help others be the best they can be, and a trainer will try and encourage you to take care of yourself, and provide tips on how to best accomplish this, as well as give general nutrition advice if asked. Although a personal trainer might not be a registered dietician, they all have completed a module on general nutrition when they became certified. Furthermore, many personal trainers have completed more extensive nutrition certifications as well.
A personal trainer helps to progress you steadily and safely, when you are ready, so that you can become stronger.
Finding the right personal trainer for you is not easy, but if do your research you will find personal training can be a very rewarding experience. Check out your potential personal trainer’s website (credentials, experience, testimonials), and talk to them first to feel them out. Maybe just try it once to see if it’s the right fit for you. Once you find the right personal trainer, and begin to accomplish some of your goals, you will then notice the value they might add to your quality of life.
WHAT IS A GROUP EXERCISE INSTRUCTOR
A group exercise instructor is a fitness professional who leads a group exercise class. This could be a spin class, HIIT training, yoga, SilverSneakers, pilates, etc. Some gyms require a group exercise instructor to have a nationally accredited group exercise certificate, but not all gyms require this. If a gym does not require a nationally accredited group exercise certificate, they will usually offer their own group exercise training to the instructor. Not all group exercise instructors are personal trainers, although some group exercise instructors are also certified personal trainers. If you are curious about your group exercise instructor’s credentials, you can ask your instructor, or the gym who hires them.
A group exercise class can become a supportive network of fitness friends you see every week.
BENEFITS OF GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES
Accountability to incorporate into your workout routine. Usually fitness classes are offered on certain days and times and once you find the class and instructor that is right for you, you can incorporate the class into your weekly routine. This helps to keep you accountable.
A fitness professional guides you through a variety of movements and lively routines, while creating a fun and interactive environment often using great music to create a wonderful atmosphere.
A group exercise class can become your fitness community and friendships can form as a result of seeing each other on a regular basis via exercise class. This is key in helping to keep you accountable. If you have made a few friends in exercise class, you will look forward to seeing them week after week in class. An online group exercise class will also enable you to establish a supportive network of online fitness friends via the internet and social media. The internet and social media can serve as a very positive, supportive outlet.
A group exercise class will provide structure to your work out. Group fitness is a great way to get a workout in without having to think or plan. Each class is structured with a warm-up, a balanced workout and a cool-down.
A group exercise instructor will give tips on good form during class. Although they are not your personal trainer, they will give general tips to the entire class to help to guide the class participants properly through the workout.
In summary, a personal trainer and group exercise instructor can be a key component to incorporate into your “village” or “tribe” to help you “through this thing called life”, as Prince (the musician) expressed so eloquently in his song, “Purple Rain”. The right personal trainer and group exercise instructor will help you be the best you can be physically, and indirectly help you to be the best you can be mentally as well. As I always say, the stronger we are physically and mentally, the more equipped we are to manage the curve balls that will be thrown our way in life.
Stay Strong!
Just Keep Moving Forward!
Just Keep Moving!
Movement is Medicine!