Personal training used to be the preserve of the cashed-up elite, but with health and fitness now established as part of our modern lifestyle, they have entered the mainstream and are an increasingly popular alternative to training in a gym.
Susan Williams runs Workyabodhi Personal Training, a Sydney-based service that has been running for five years. We spoke to Susan about getting fit and what one can hope to get out of a personal trainer.
There seems to be a real boom in personal training at the moment, why do you think this is?
"Most of us lead really busy lives and exercise is one of the things that can get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list….even though we know it is crucial for our wellbeing. Personal and group fitness training gives people a source of accountability and the opportunity to accurately measure their progress. Experiencing real fitness progress increases our feeling of motivation and this in turn results in our adherence to regular exercise. Most folk struggle to adhere to their good intentions when going solo hence the importance of a personal trainer."
How did you get into personal training, and what motivated you?
"I have worked in the fitness industry as both a group fitness instructor and personal trainer for 12 years now. My conversion came from experiencing first hand the positive impact that consistent, appropriate exercise along with a sensible approach to nutrition had on my own body. Basic but true."
What are the primary benefits of personal training?
"Oh, this list is endless. To be brief – regular training makes us fitter, stronger, leaner, improves posture, enhances flexibility, promotes better eating and drinking habits but mostly it just makes people feel really great about themselves. How wonderful is that?"
How do you go about evaluating a client when they start a session?
"I want to know why they are there. This goes to the heart of what is going to motivate someone. All Workyabodhi clients complete a client profile plus I like to find out what people like to get up to away from training. For example, a client who likes to play tennis but thinks they suck at it.. you take that client and build specific exercises into their training that will enhance their game. They will then be able to see a direct benefit from their training."
What does a typical session consist of?
"All sessions are designed to meet the participants' needs and preferences. Group training sessions can be any mixture of boxing, medicine ball work, resistance bands, cardio drills, skipping, own body weight exercises. One to one sessions can include any mix of the above plus resistance work, Swiss ball and balance work."
Can I not get the same benefit from training at a gym?
"Gyms are about selling memberships and unfortunately simply owning a membership doesn't equal working out regularly and reaping great fitness results. Exercise has to actually happen! For those people who are highly self-motivated the gym can be a wonderful place to train. It is well documented that the large majority of people who purchase gym memberships do not exercise consistently or frequently enough to experience real fitness gains. It is important to be realistic about your own level of self motivation before investing your hard earned dollars on a gym membership."
What group sizes do you cater for, and can I have a personal trainer exclusively to myself?
"Our average group size is eight participants. This can vary from four to 14. One-to-one and partner training (two people plus personal trainer) is also an option for those who want more personalised attention."
In a group session how do you cater for people of different fitness levels?
"A good personal trainer should be able to provide beginner/intermediate/advanced options for the exercises being undertaken. I've spent a long time working with large groups of participants in a group exercise setting and you never know who is going to come and what they can and can't do – being able to adapt on the spot is essential!"
What is involved in your corporate fitness training?
"Workyabodhi delivers group fitness sessions for people through their workplace. Sessions can take place on site, or in a nearby park before/after or during work hours. Corporate training usually runs for 12 weeks and more often than not, firms renew and the fitness program becomes an ongoing part of their staff reward and care programs. It is a fantastic way for staff to take care of themselves, blow off some steam and have some fun with their work colleagues."
What qualifications and training does a personal trainer need?
"Unfortunately, at the moment in Australia anyone can get a business card printed and call themselves a personal trainer. There are however ways to overcome this issue for potential customers. When choosing a personal trainer make sure they hold a Certificate IV in Personal Training as a minimum, that they are members of Fitness Australia and hold current professional insurance. Ask to see their qualifications if you aren't convinced. If you have a particular area of concern or focus i.e. pregnancy, rehabilitation from injury, fat loss, improved sports performance, ask your personal trainer what experience do they have working in this area. Don't forget, any good personal trainerwill happily put you in touch with an existing customer who can give you an inside scoop of what to expect."
Originally published on Jul 06, 2010
