Evidence to support the effectiveness of personal training

Whether you’re new to the world of fitness and thinking about hiring a personal trainer to help you pursue your health and wellness goals, an experienced trainer who’s worked out on your own but wants to take that next step by hiring a first-time coach or an ACE-certified personal trainer trying to explain the value of what you do to new and potential clients and wondering how to sell personal training, it’s important to understand that this is an evidence-based profession. This means that there is scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of working with a personal trainer on your health and fitness journey.

The benefits extend beyond those associated with regular exercise, as evidence shows that exercising with a trainer by your side (which research calls “supervised exercise”) often provides more benefits than exercising alone. Here’s a quick summary of some key findings:

• Supervision during an exercise session, such as that provided by a personal trainer, improved how well the exercisers performed the movements, which in turn improved training results and reduced the risk of injury among the elderly and those with chronic disease. In addition, researchers found that accountability provided through monitoring client progress improved program adherence.
• Supervised exercise programs improved quality of life of cancer patients, who reported that the program “positively contributes to their quality of life by improving fitness and health and providing personalized care.”
• Supervised exercise rtrained medication use among older veterans with multiple illnesses or conditions, including medications for pain relief, mental health, heart disease, diabetes, and lipid-lowering, demonstrating the role that working with a personal trainer can play in helping people who have multiple chronic conditions.
• Supervised exercise was more effective than unsupervised exercise in improving physical activity, muscular endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

So, in summary, the evidence shows that personal training offers a range of benefits beyond those associated with regular physical activity and it is the supervision, expertise and accountability provided that make the difference.

Additional benefits of personal training

If you’re considering hiring a personal trainer (or you’re a personal trainer trying to find new ways to sell your services), consider these additional benefits of working with a trainer:

• Empowerment through accountability: The value of the trainer-client partnership cannot be overstated. It begins with goal setting and initial program design, but continues throughout the ongoing relationship as the client achieves their goals and establishes new ones. For many people, getting to the gym is half the battle, and that’s made a lot easier by knowing that a supportive, collaborative partner is there to hold you accountable and travel with you on your wellness journey.
• Safety and efficacy: One of the hallmarks of personal training is the ability to provide “safe and effective” exercise programs. After all, there’s a reason this phrase appears in all ACE textbooks and learning programs. These two elements coexist during each session as the trainer monitors to ensure the client is performing each movement with proper form while also pushing them to make progress towards their goals.
• Personalization: Another characteristic of quality personal training is the personalized approach to program design and training. A program you find online or in a magazine may not be the best for you, your fitness level, or your goals. Working with a trainer who knows you well and can align your program with your personal needs and values ​​will maximize your results.
• Access to expertise and experience: Another benefit of working with a personal trainer is the ability to receive feedback from a highly educated professional. Plus, they’ll be able to answer your questions (or know where to find answers to your questions) about exercise and health.
• The confidence to push yourself: Anyone who has worked with a personal trainer or taken a group fitness class knows that you often get a better workout than you expected or would normally do on your own. A personal trainer will ensure that you push yourself, maximize your results and make steady progress in your exercise program.

If you’re interested in becoming a personal trainer, explore how you can achieve lasting success as an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, choose your degree program, and begin a rewarding career in a growing and exciting field.

If you are already an ACE-certified professional and know someone who is interested in becoming certified, you can earn a $50 gift card through the Refer-A-Friend Program in your MyACE account.