Why You Need Me

IT TAKES TWO: A personal trainer will help you exercise more efficiently, so you’ll see more results, says trainer David Whitefield. photography by Elizabeth Lavin

Most folks underestimate, if not completely discount, their need for a personal trainer. Whether that last milestone birthday has motivated you to finally start exercising or you’re getting back into the groove after an injury, pregnancy, or bout of laziness, your odds of sticking with a workout program long enough and consistently enough to do any good are pretty low, if you’re going it alone. Paying a gym membership fee every month isn’t motivation enough. Even having a “workout buddy” isn’t much of a guarantee. What can you do to improve your chances? Hire a personal trainer: You’re four times more likely to make your scheduled workouts when you have an appointment with a trainer. Not only that, working out with a personal trainer means you’ll be exercising more efficiently, seeing more results, and protecting yourself from injury.

Because of varying degrees of experience and education, not all trainers are created equal, and you shouldn’t just hire the first trainer you run across. There are few simple things to look for when interviewing potential trainers. (That’s right, interviewing them. Take an active role in choosing your trainer. Be selective.)

First, any trainer worth his or her salt should ask you two key questions: How often do you plan to work out and what is your exercise history? Any effective exercise program must consider frequency of workouts. For instance, if you only have four one-hour blocks per week to work out and you want to use three of those with a trainer, your trainer can plan those workouts to maximize your results. Your exercise history influences the activities and intensity of the exercise program. (Be honest; don’t fudge to “please” the trainer. You’ll risk injury—and he’ll figure out the truth on his own.)

There are a few key questions for you to ask, as well. Fellow trainers are not going to like me for this one, but you should ask potential trainers for a no-risk, pay-if-satisfied introductory session. This practice session gives you the chance to see if your personalities mesh and his training procedures are a match to your expectations. Also ask the trainer what his or her personal fitness goals are. Is he a bodybuilder, power lifter, athlete, or general fitness enthusiast? Trainers generally teach what they know best, so this will give you an idea of how the trainer might attack your fitness goals.

There are many good trainers in the Dallas area, and putting a bit of time and effort into finding the right one will make you happy with your personal-training experience and your new-and-improved self.

David Whitefield is a certified personal trainer with a master’s in exercise and sports studies. He trains out of Fitness Evolution in the West Village. Call 214-215-9351 for more information.