If you have finally made that major decision to change your diet and lifestyle and become healthier, good on you! With the proper diet and exercise (and a few primary lifestyle changes), you can be happier, more energised – and more attractive to boot.
But one of the first steps when it comes to focusing on your health and wellness is setting up a good exercise routine. A few push-ups in the morning won’t do, either – you need to have a well-planned workout routine that concentrates on the aspects of your body that you would like to change or improve. For this, you need the right kind of support – and this support can only come from having your own personal trainer.
What you should know about getting a personal trainer
Getting a personal fitness trainer is relatively easy – all you have to do is visit the gym nearest you and take your pick. If you live or work in Dublin, for example, you can find a plethora of gyms in Dublin which can offer you great facilities and excellent services, including personal fitness trainer packages. But this is where you have to be careful as well – don’t just settle for the first gym or fitness package you see, as reputable gyms like The Dartry Health Club (learn more about their services and facilities at www.thedartryhealthclub.ie) will tell you.
Even if the personal trainer you choose seems to have all the credentials and experience, it would be good to watch out for several things as well. These things, whilst initially small, can affect your relationship with your personal trainer and result in a less-than-satisfactory road to health and wellness.
What to watch out for
There are a number of so-called ‘red flags’ when dealing with a personal fitness trainer. One ‘red flag’ is when the personal trainer tries to suggest that you take supplements. If you are not aiming to join a bodybuilding competition, you do not really need any supplements – you just need the right combination of diet, exercise, and proper nutrition. If a trainer suggests that you take supplements and tries to sell some to you, this could mean that they are receiving a commission for the supplement products (such as protein shakes and powders, energy beverages, and the like) they are trying to recommend and sell. Whilst this is not entirely bad in itself, it could still result in an awkward situation where you are forced to purchase products that you do not really need.
Another ‘red flag’ is when your personal fitness trainer tries to force you into changing your diet or is creating a ‘meal plan’ for you which is outside the Food Pyramid guidelines. They can only recommend what to eat and what not to eat, but they cannot really instruct you on a particular diet unless they are qualified to do so. Even if your personal trainer calls himself or herself a nutritionist, they may not have the right degree or formal or technical training in this arena. If you would like proper advice about your diet, you should turn to a dietitian who is properly registered.
Whilst having your own personal fitness trainer can give you the right support you need to change your health and lifestyle for the better, you should still be careful when it comes to choosing one. But with a proper personal fitness trainer, you are only a few steps away from achieving your health and fitness goals.
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