Personal training is a type of physical activity performed under the supervision of a specialized trainer. Classes are conducted individually, alone with the pupil. Training usually takes about 60 minutes, and its course may be different, depending on the choice of form or the ability of the exerciser. The important thing is that the personal trainer stays with the pupils permanently, i.e. until the result is achieved, they do not change from class to class, unless the client decides so.
The first classes with the trainer always rely on a thorough analysis of the needs and possibilities of the mentee. This is important because only in this way is it possible to customize the training plan individually. Bad selection of exercises certainly would not bring the effects that we expect, which is why the experienced eye of the trainer plays a very important role here. The analysis is based primarily on the determination of the client’s individual predispositions, their abilities, body structure, experience in sport, endurance, and mobility. In addition, gender, age and health are taken into account. The mentor determines the goal to which they will strive – some people want to lose extra weight, others want to build a massive muscle mass, and there are also those who want to prepare for various types of competition, including bodybuilding. In addition, among specialized personal training we also distinguish those adapted to the dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system, for example, workouts after injuries, people with back problems and many more. The choice is really wide here. Importantly, we do not have to worry that we will not be able to cope with this type of physical activity due to our inexperience, because the trainer will adapt the difficulty and intensity of exercises to our abilities, while training will be regularly modified as strength and fitness increase. Exercises are controlled by the instructor on a regular basis, hence the client can be sure that they are performing them correctly.
In addition to matching the exercises, the personal trainer also has to make a nutritional plan. This is a very important point alongside training, because the diet increases the effects of physical activity. Inadequate nutrition may result in the work being unsatisfactory, which is why the instructor cares about their protégé having a clear lifestyle plan.
The structure of personal training usually consists of the same parts as the traditional one. So within an hour of training with an instructor, you go through three phases: the beginning, the main, and the end. The first one is just a warm-up, which is to prepare the body for intense physical exercise. The main phase contains all the most important exercises and must achieve training goals. In turn, the final part is stretching the body after the exercises and calming down. The course of the main phase changes over time, because the instructor adjusts the intensity and degree of difficulty of the exercises to the growing abilities and skills of the subject. Then, the exercises, the load, the number of series and repetitions, as well as the time of rest are changed.
The most important feature of personal training is the fact that it’s the mentee who determines their goal. Nothing is imposed on them, they can decide what they want to achieve. A personal trainer should not try to influence these goals at all costs. Their task is to conduct the client through all the difficulties associated with training and diet, to advise and monitor their progress. The instructor may suggest a change in aspirations, but they must rely on clients good.
Cooperation with a personal trainer is certainly a great experience for everyone for whom an individual approach to lifestyle modification is important. Exercises with the trainer are more professional, the risk of injury is avoided, and the trainings are not monotonous. Such activities will allow the mentee to get to know themselves, their body and their needs, and teach them to take care of their own body.