Hitting the gym can be hard enough, but when your fitness regimen hits a plateau, or if you simply don’t know where to start, personal training can be the answer. But where to begin? Eric Atherton, owner of E.A. Fit Club, lets us know what to look for and expect from a personal training program.

What are the benefits of working with a trainer versus a solo gym workout?

A personal trainer will have the knowledge to help you reach your goal. They’ll keep you motivated and show you how to do certain movements with the correct form. And they can show you different ways of training, as opposed to just going to the machines, so that when it’s time to go on your own, you have your own toolbox.

When starting a personal training program, what should people look for?

Working with a personal trainer can get costly, ranging from $70-$90 an hour. You should expect to work with them two to three times a week. Talk to someone that used a particular training service before and actually saw some results. You want a trainer who’s going to give you a push, who’ll be high-energy, who will motivate you and make sure that your technique is on point to prevent you from getting injured.

What does a typical training plan look like for your clients?

We sit down, discuss goals, and set up a program [that lasts] six to eight weeks. Depending on what the goal is, we’ll do full-body circuits one day and have the next day as more of a recovery depending on how hard we hit it and how we have the program set up. I like to give clients what they want so they can be happy, but I put my little bit into the mix as well. That way they can get what they need and still enjoy the sessions.

Do you have any tips for new starters?

It all comes down to a goal. As long as you have a start and end date, you will set yourself up for success. You’ll be more determined to stick with the program. If you’re just excited to add something new into your routine, maybe you don’t need to train three or four times a week, you can cut it down to one time a week. And then you can do something else on your own, just so you stay active: Walk your dog, go for a bike ride, run, ski, hike whatever that may be.

So, what if I’m super out of shape and intimidated by hardcore workouts?

The personal trainer should be really easy and calm, pumping you up and building your confidence. And maybe you can even bring a partner with you instead of training alone. If you stick with it, you’ll definitely start seeing results, and when you start seeing results, it’s going to make you want to continue your journey.

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