Why Hire a Personal Trainer? Part 1: For Those Who Already Workout
Here’s a confession: I adore working out now — but I didn’t always.
Personal training has come a long way since 1998—back when I hired my first trainer as a 27-year-old who didn’t care much for athletics or exercise. I was overweight, frustrated, and determined to finally learn how to work out safely and effectively without injuring myself.
Hiring that trainer changed everything—not just because I showed up, but because of the knowledge he gave me. Sure, you can read books or watch videos, but until someone watches how your body moves, teaches you what you should be feeling, and corrects postural issues, you may never know if your workouts are truly helping or silently hurting you.
One small adjustment—like how you hold your elbows—can make the difference between building strength or causing strain. Without professional guidance, it’s nearly impossible to spot those details on your own.
But Wait—Isn’t a Personal Trainer Only for Beginners?
Absolutely not.
Many people who already work out could benefit from a trainer even more than those just getting started. Hiring a personal trainer is like hiring a general contractor for your body. Sure, you could do the renovation yourself, but a trained professional will make the process safer, more efficient, and far more effective.
In my current work as a massage therapist, I see the long-term wear and tear that comes from well-meaning DIY workouts. Injuries, plateaus, muscle imbalances—these are common among people who train hard but without the right structure or feedback.
Done properly, weight training can correct everyday issues like tight shoulders, knee pain, or poor posture. But without a deep understanding of movement, the gym can actually make these issues worse.
See if any of these sound like you:
You’ve been lifting regularly, but your progress has plateaued.
You’re afraid to increase weight due to past injuries or fear of getting hurt.
You don’t feel your glutes working during squats, lunges, or deadlifts.
You work out through pain—or skip exercises entirely because of it.
You’ve settled for “meh” results instead of truly transforming your body.
If any of this resonates with you, consider getting professional eyes on your movement. It could be the thing that takes your training—and your body—to the next level.
Even though I’ve retired from personal training, I now help active people recover smarter and move better through customized sports massage and rehabilitation sessions. If your workouts are causing pain or holding you back, your body might not need a break—it might just need better support.
Note: I’m no longer a practicing personal trainer, but I bring over two decades of fitness knowledge into my current work in sports massage and body rehabilitation. These insights are here to educate and help you understand how proper training and movement can support a healthy, pain-free body.
