why you need (or don't need) a personal trainer or health coach

So, as a personal trainer and confidence coach I should be telling you that you NEED a trainer/coach yourself right? Well, no... You don't NEED one, but it sure can speed up your success. It really just depends on what type of person you are, how much you want to learn on your own, how well you can motivate yourself and how open you are to trying things on your own and potentially failing.

you need a trainer/coach if...

• you are brand new to working out and have no idea where to start
• you want someone to just tell you what to do and not have to think about it
• you can handle the cost of paying for it weekly

you don't need a trainer/coach if...

• you are somewhat familiar with working out and are comfortable researching on your own
• you don't mind taking the time to experiment and see what works for you
• you can't handle the cost of paying for it weekly

you need a mix from online training/coaching if...

You are in the middle, or share traits from both lists, like most people! Seriously, most people need a mix from both categories. We all have goals, we all have some level of motivation, but we are just so busy and have very different lifestyles! It’s hard enough to find time to workout, let alone make it work with someone else’s schedule! This is where online training and coaching comes in. For the average person, going on Pinterest and finding free workouts and free knowledge can be VERY overwhelming because there is just SO MUCH information out there.  You need to be careful too because not all of it is correct!  I shudder at some of the "advice" I see online because of how easily it can lead to injury, hormone imbalance and time wasted while working towards goals. I advise finding a real person that can spend one on one time with you, but without the in-person price tag (hint, hint, they’re an online coach!) Here is my advice when it comes to finding a good fit for an online coach:

1. ​First, find someone who is QUALIFIED. This means, do not listen to the free Pinterest workouts that recommend 50+ body weight squats every single day or things like that. “Squat challenges” don’t work. Endless hours of cardio don’t work. “5-minute before shower workouts” don’t work. More often then not, the people that created those routines did so just to get clicks. Take your advice from someone who took the time to actually get certified, someone who wants to change lives for real. I’m not saying they have to be the most educated person you can find, but please, invest your money and time in someone who actually knows what they’re doing and has reviews to back it up.
2. Next, I want you to make sure that your chosen professional has values that align with yours. I’m not talking about politics, I’m not talking about religion, I’m talking about lifestyle values. If you sign up with a coach who preaches spending hours a day in the gym and tracking calories down to the bite while you consider yourself a couch potato and a newbie to the health world, you’re probably not going to get great results...  That coach’s extremely tight reigns will most likely create overwhelm, burn out, and frustration, making you feel like you wasted your money on something unattainable. My advice is to find someone who is a bit more your style, someone who preaches small changes rather than huge overhauls. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but what you need to realize is that making long lasting changes does not happen from a quick 21 day challenge that runs you into the ground. Lasting changes happen from making small tweaks every time you feel you are strong enough.
3. Lastly, make sure you find someone who promises what you are actually looking for. Sure, a coach can have a fancy homepage and lots of great pictures, but what are they actually selling you? Is it a plan to gain muscle? A plan to cut sugar cravings? A plan to build confidence?  Whatever it is they’re selling, make sure it’s something you really need. Don’t waste your money on someone who looks cool but only offers skills that don't serve you.  All of us coaches have valuable lessons to teach because each one of us has a different past.  Just like we do, you have a special past that molds you too.  You have a history and you have a CHOICE in your health.  You deserve to work with someone who speaks to your heart and emotion because most likely, they are the person who can truly affect you from the inside out. 

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conclusion:

The goal of this post was not to sell you on a plan of mine or to convince you that I am the most knowledgable trainer out there.  My main goal was to give some advice when it comes to embarking on a health and fitness journey. Do not sell yourself short and try doing things the “free” way because it will only take more time in the long run.  You deserve better.  I also ask you not to pay for something that will burn you out and cause you to feel farther behind than you were before just because someone has a fancy tagline or software.  I urge you to do your research and find your perfect middle ground with someone who aligns with your goals, aligns with your budget and gives you the freedom to make mistakes, grow, and build lasting healthy habits.


-always lifting your LIFE, Laura