Personal training is one of the most powerful tools available for you to hit your fitness targets, but honestly, there are some glaring misconceptions about it that make people hesitant to try it. From a belief that personal trainers only work for celebs to a belief that they will torture you with a lifetime of burpees, myths are keeping people from experiencing the actual benefits.
Let’s take a dive and dispel the biggest myths around personal training that you NEED to quit believing.
If you’ve been a little reluctant, this may be your last chance to find out for yourself what personal training really is.
Lie #1: Personal Training Is Only for Celebrities or the Super Fit
One of the longest-running myths about personal training is that it’s just for A-listers or gym bunnies who already look like they could be straight out of a fitness magazine. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Everyone can benefit from personal training, regardless of age, experience or expectations. A personal trainer will take you from where you’re at whether you’re an absolute beginner who’s never been to a gym or if you want to push your workouts to the next level. Indeed, beginners are among the most important victims of personal training since they receive expert instruction from the outset, free from the trial-and-error mistakes that frequently set things back.
And it’s not just about aesthetic objectives. Many engage personal trainers for the purpose of becoming more healthy, mobile, recovering from an injury, or just feeling more in control of their bodies. You don’t “have to qualify” for personal training—it works for anyone.
Lie #2: Personal Trainers Will scream at You Like a Drill Sergeant
With reality TV and some fitness clichés, people picture personal trainers as drill sergeants barking commands and yelling at you through workouts that are exhausting. It’s a ridiculous image that couldn’t be more off-the-mark.
The vast majority of personal trainers value the way they help their clients, not by scaring them into submission. A good trainer will make you feel uncomfortable without being brutal, and will customize the program to suit you and your lifestyle. So whether you like to love hard or you want a softer, gentler touch, they’ll customize their coaching to help inspire you.
The intention isn’t to make you miserable; it’s to get you somewhere where you feel worthwhile and capable. And yeah, you’ll probably hustle during sessions, but it’ll always be under your agreement and for your best interest.
Lie #3: Personal Training is Expensive
Most people assume that personal training is insanely expensive, and you’re right it is, but it’s a lot cheaper than you might think — considering the value it provides.
Personal training isn’t about paying a person to sit there and do reps, but investing in knowledge, customised plans, and 1:1 advice that can get you on the path faster. Consider how much money we spend on takeaway coffees, streaming services, or unnecessary devices. The time and effort invested in your health and wellbeing through personal training is, by far, more worthwhile.
Not to mention you have many ways to accommodate personal training on your own terms. Most trainers run group sessions, which divide the cost between multiple clients but still offer personal instruction. Some gyms even offer personal training as part of the membership options. Check out local trainers and you’ll be surprised how accessible it is.
Lie #4: Personal Training Is All About Getting Thin
This is a big one. Weighing less may be everyone’s goal, but there’s so much more to personal training than just numbers.
Personal training is highly customized and your sessions will be tailored to what you want to do. This can be boosting your strength, acquiring endurance, increasing flexibility, recovering from an injury, or even bolstering your mental well-being through regular exercise. Many trainers are also proficient in mobility training, postnatal fitness, and sports conditioning.
Your trainer’s role is to identify your goal – whatever it is – and create a program that takes you there. So if you’re not interested in losing weight, don’t sweat it. But personal training can still revolutionize your body.
Lie #5: You Need To Be Fit Before You Begin
It’s one of the worst myths because it keeps so many people from ever taking the first step. The belief that you must be “fit enough” to hire a personal trainer is simply false.
Personal training is designed to make you fitter, stronger, and healthier — wherever you are starting. Trainers know how to meet their clients at their present level of fitness and gradually develop their self-esteem and abilities. They’ll build exercises that are challenging yet manageable, and keep you on track without becoming overwhelmed.
Everybody has an initiation point and personal trainers know that. They don’t pity you, they cheer you on. Whether you’re struggling to pull off a push-up or you’re going to the gym regularly, a trainer isn’t going to judge you because you’re not starting where you’re at.
The Truth About Personal Training
Now that we’ve dispensed with some of the biggest myths, let’s move to the reality. Personal training is the best way to reach your health goals, whatever they may be. It’s not just about the workouts, it’s about the correct technique, getting motivated, and cultivating long-term habits.
So here’s what personal training is actually about:
Direction: A career path that fits your specific needs and aspirations.
Trust: Someone to keep you in check, even during bad days.
Assistance: Motivation and knowledge to get you through the tough times.
Results: Faster, safer path to success than doing it alone.
Personal training can help you reach the levels you never dreamed of, whether you’re a newbie, a seasoned exercise fanatic or somewhere in between. It begins with letting go of the myths and trying it out.
Final Thoughts
Stop believing the personal training shit. Whether you’re rich, a lean and mean machine, or even convinced of your aspirations, personal training is available for everyone, and it’s one of the most effective ways to kick-start your health and fitness.
If you have been putting it off until now, it’s finally time to give it a go. A good trainer can push you past your barriers, reach your potential and change not only your body but also your attitude and self-esteem. Why not give it a go? You might just find your new best friend.
Alex Monroe is a personal trainer based in Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK
