Hiring a personal trainer is one way to motivate yourself to get fit. With more personal training facilities popping up around the city, how do you know you're getting a good deal? And how do you know if hiring a personal trainer is the right move for you?
Global News spoke with a couple of personal trainers for tips on what to look for when seeking out a personal trainer.
Brett Kirkland is a personal trainer and owner of Blitz Conditioning. He recommends checking online first because a lot of gyms have their trainer's profiles posted. And if you find a personal trainer, don't be afraid to ask questions.
"Always ask questions like why am I doing this exercise? What muscle groups am I working? How are you going to track my results? How is this going to benefit me?" says Kirkland.
Courtney Lubkey is a personal trainer with the City of Edmonton. She says her best advice is to find someone who is well educated.
"You want to look for a trainer that has some sort of post secondary education in the exercise science field, as well as certification." stresses Lubkey.
Most gyms offer a variety of personal training packages that range from one session upwards.
"A lot of (gyms) try to get you in for 50 sessions at a lower price but I wouldn't suggest that, especially in the beginning of your training. If you're just looking for a trainer, buy one of the smaller packages, try them out and then you're not locked in forever." advises Kirkland.
Hiring a personal trainer can be costly, ranging anywhere from $20 to $120 dollars an hour. Some gyms offer group rates where three or four people can go for a session with a personal trainer at a lower cost.
Kirkland and Lubkey agree having someone who will personalize your program is a huge help when it comes to fitness.
"A lot of people reach a plateau where they're not seeing anymore results or they're just bored with what they're doing, so a trainer can re-evaluate their program, give them new ideas on what they can do." says Lubkey.
"Your body is pretty amazing, after about eight weeks it adapts to the program you're doing." says Kirkland, adding "When you come in with a trainer they have the program set out for you, they're specific towards your goal and also the technique is always correct, or should always be correct if you have a good trainer."
Mark Ringrose hired Kirkland to be his personal trainer to help get the push he needed to get fit.
"I just wasn't feeling that healthy" he says, adding "A lot of the time you can't motivate yourself to get going. If you have that scheduled time and someone actually pushing you it's a lot better for you, it makes you push yourself."
Ringrose is a student and works in the evening. He says although training can be expensive, the benefits outweigh the cost.
"It's an investment in myself. I feel better, 100 times better. I feel like I look better. I feel happier and every time I come here I have more energy." says Ringrose.
Both Kirkland and Lubkey agree it is key to do your research. Ask questions and try out the personal trainer to make sure they are right for you before deciding on anything long term.
With files from Julie Matthews.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.