Today, it's trendy to go to the gym regularly and work out. On the internet, you'll find a lot of information about a healthy lifestyle, sports, and how to train. But is reading Instagram posts and watching videos of fitness influencers really enough to lose a few pounds or tone your body?
Mostly not. It's not that all those Instagram fitness experts want to lie to you, but what works for them may not suit you. Besides, they probably don't tell you everything about their lifestyle. You only get half the information, and in the end, you might do more harm than good.
A bad trainer is worse than no trainer
There are many trainers today, so be careful who you entrust yourself to. Many "fitness schools" churn out trainers like on a conveyor belt; all they need is to complete a month-long course and they immediately get a certificate. A poorly chosen trainer, however, doesn't just mean wasted time and money thrown out the window. As a result of bad exercise, people end up in hospitals with back pain or torn ligaments. Some trainers don't know the correct training methods, or they recommend the exact same thing to all clients. Also, if they load you with such a burden on the very first training session that you can barely walk home, or they pay suspiciously little attention to you, something is wrong. Don't hesitate to change trainers; maybe the first one just isn't for you.
Where to find a trainer?
If you already have a favorite gym where you go to work out, ask there first. Most fitness centers have their own advisors and trainers. You can try observing them at work and get an idea of how they treat their clients.
If you're just starting with exercise, search online. A fitness advisor can also advise you remotely, but if you choose someone from your place of residence, they can come to exercise with you and also advise you on the technique of performing exercises.
A good approach is also to ask your friends, family, colleagues, classmates. You certainly have someone in your vicinity who actively exercises. Maybe they have their own trainer, or at least know about one. If they move in the fitness community more than you, they will probably know at least one fitness trainer from your city.
If you don't have references for anyone or are looking for a specialist in a given sport, fitness category, or a good masseur. You can use this portal of fitness advisors.
How to recognize a good trainer?
Study their education, whether they have any practical experience in sports themselves, or how many clients they have. Pay particular attention to these things:
Good references: It's best if a trainer is recommended directly by one of your acquaintances. Otherwise, try to find something about them online.
Customized training plan: The trainer should first discuss your current lifestyle and your expectations. There's a difference whether you want to lose weight, or just tone your body, improve your fitness, etc.
Personal impression: You must get along with your trainer. If you don't understand what they want from you, or their advice seems strange, you don't trust them, it's better to look elsewhere.
If you consider the above, the chances of choosing a good fitness advisor right away are high. If you still don't get it right, don't hesitate to change them. It's about your body, health, money, and time.