Friday Fitness : A personal trainer:the benefits
Once the preserve of celebrities and the mega rich, more and more people are now working with personal trainers as part of their fitness regimes.
Family law barrister, Fawzia King, from 42 Bedford Row has a busy practice which demands long hours and can be stressful. She says she is evangelical now about the benefits of working with a trainer. She tells us why:
1. Is it a luxury to have a personal trainer?
No. It’s motivational, interesting and fun to work with an expert who is focused on getting results for you. Too many people diligently go to the gym but get very little out of it and then feel disappointed and stop. There is so much science behind getting fit and maintaining fitness. And to achieve both, you need an expert.
2. It can be expensive, is it a good investment?
It’s the best thing that’s happened to me! But you have to find the right trainer for you. Otherwise you can spend a fortune on the wrong one and be disappointed, just like after spending hours in the gym with no discernible results.
I’d suggest getting a personal recommendation. Also, a personality fit is very important. The trainer has to understand what you want to achieve and your personality traits in order to be able to work effectively with you.
3. Why did you first decide to work with a personal trainer?
I wanted to lose a bit of weight and get fit. I’d done Pilates for years but it had never helped me lose weight. I’d got to a point in my life where I couldn’t maintain that carefree attitude I’d had in my teens and twenties ‘oh, I can eat what I like, whenever I like.’
Since using a personal trainer I’ve achieved weight loss, more than I could have imagined. I’m fitter than I’ve ever been. AND, it has helped me deal with the stresses of life, especially my work life.
You can have the worst day in court and come home to 4 hours of more prep for the next day and it can get soul destroying over time. But if I do an hour’s training at the gym I come home a different person. I’m clear headed, de-stressed and ready for the challenge of that 4 hour stretch. I find, in fact, I can do the legal work quicker because I’m energised. The endorphins in your system definitely help!
4. What have you learned about yourself since working with your trainer?
I’ve learnt how determined I am. How strong I am physically and mentally. I’ve learnt what food is good for my body.
You can’t turn back the clock but you can age with renewed purpose and vitality. The energy I now have has impacted my appearance and my whole life. I’ve run two 5k runs recently. I’d never done stuff like that before.
There have been side benefits too; no more tension headaches. I’m more positive generally and I’d even say, more joyous.
A good trainer can devise menus for you and take a holistic approach to your wellbeing. There’s scientific stuff behind becoming leaner and building muscle.
5. What tips would you give others who are considering hiring a trainer?
Ask friends who use one. Search on the Internet. Check local ads and read the feedback.
If you take it up, it’s a commitment and you need to embrace it. It takes up your time and money. Rough costs are around £41-50 per hour in outer London. About £65 in central London. My trainer gets me to do cardio work, bikes, treadmill, rowing machine, weights, running.
I’ve worked with my trainer for 3.5 years now and I can’t recommend it enough! It’s the best thing I’ve done for myself.
