Healthy B.P.M.

One of the biggest obstacles to staying on track with a fitness program is maintaining motivation. Doing the same old thing dulls the shine of your newly polished program. Keeping your regimen exciting might first be attained by not thinking of it as a regimen. Being open to new ideas is key to long-term success.

If you had to watch the exact same episode of your favorite television show every day for the rest of your life, you would probably be banging your head against the wall by the end of the week. You would change the channel, pick up a book, and do almost anything to avoid the monotony.

Yet, many people feel compelled to follow the same routine, day after day, and consequently fall off the exercise wagon due to sheer boredom and lack of favorable results. Enter the personal trainer. Right about now you may be thinking that a personal trainer is a luxury you just can’t afford. With the economy going down the tubes there are some tough decisions to be made about your personal finances and rightly so. However, consider the things that you think are a necessity. For example, manicures, pedicures, going to the beauty salon, nights out with the girls or guys. Tickets to sporting events, lattes and the likes. Let’s face it fit buddies there are some things that we will pay for no matter what. Why not look at your well-being as an investment. Will season tickets for your favorite team’s home games put you on the road to optimal wellness more than the services of a trainer? I’m surely not telling you what to do, just asking a question.

A personal trainer’s expertise will assist you in analyzing and creating a fitness program that is right for you. Your fitness professional will also keep you motivated and inspired by knowing when it’s time for a change. As in any other profession, not all fitness trainers are created equal. They have different levels of training, education, and skills. Then there’s personality. Here are some points to ponder when choosing a fitness professional.

1. Certification. Make sure your trainer is certified. Certification lets you know that they have the required skills. Most certifying organizations also require that their trainers take continuing education classes so that they are current with new developments and teachings. It is also best to choose a trainer that has a CPR certification or first aid qualifications.

2. Knows how to give the right attention. A competent trainer should know how to provide his or her client with undivided attention during their session. They shouldn’t be chatting it up with other trainers or their clients.

3. A good trainer knows how to stay on track. On track with your development and know when it’s time to make a move when and if progress stalls.

4. Personality plus. The two of you have to vibe. I know I dated myself with that one, but it’s true. You don’t have to have the warm fuzzies all the time, but it helps. Case in point; the trainers on the Biggest Loser. If you can’t handle a Jillian Michael’s in your face type trainer don’t even go there. A gentler, calmer Bob Harper style trainer may be the one you need. You want to be comfortable, and you also want to be respected.

Choose the person who can give you the best services. Then you’ll know that you won’t be bored and you’re likely to get the results you want. One more all important factor and one that I think is the most significant. A personal trainer or any other fitness professional can only do so much. Trainers are not magicians; you have to do the work and not just when you’re in session. You’ll only get out of your program what you put into it.