Many people working towards fitness goals have specific results in mind, so how do fitness instructors help create that shape? A slimmer waist, less belly fat, more defined arm muscles. These are some common targets people have in mind when they start meeting with a personal trainer or fitness instructor.
Personal trainers often begin their journeys with an initial consultation. They take note of your body fat percentage, measurements, current health habits, and more. Then you discuss your fitness goals, the results you’d like to see and come up with a plan to get there. So how does your fitness instructor help shape your body shape?
Fitness Instructors Create Personalized Work Outs
Your fitness instructor will create a plan based on your personal goals. Different activities engage different parts of the body, promoting change in that specific area. If you want strong arms, you’re not just going to work out your legs.
Fitness instructors know this, and they also know the less common exercises that target the areas you want to change. For example, if you’re looking to flatten your stomach, you probably think ab exercises are the way to go. And you’re not wrong. Ab exercises are a great way to tone your stomach muscles, but abs are built in the kitchen, not the gym.
Interval running, Pilates and bicycling are all exercises that can reduce belly fat. A fitness instructor has extensive exercise education and will know the best combination of activities you should do based on your measurements and goals. Furthermore, since they advise on fitness professionally, they’ll know the frequency you should do each activity, and for what duration.
Fitness Instructors Can Help Develop a Personalized Meal Plan
Many fitness instructors are well-versed in the area of nutrition, as well as exercise. They know the ins and outs of what foods do what, and what fuel your body needs for the workouts they’re recommending. Additionally, a fitness instructor can tell you when to eat those foods. That’s right; there are certain foods you should eat before, during, and after workouts. They can also help debunk dietary myths.
Fitness Instructors Provide Motivation and Hold You Accountable
Aside from the exercise and diet recommendations fitness instructors can provide, they can give you something that might be even more valuable. Motivation. Is there anything that sounds better than, “you can do this!” We don’t think so. Motivation throughout a fitness journey is essential. It encourages us not to give up, no matter what. If you’re looking for some more motivational fitness phrases, check these out.
Accountability is also key to reaching your fitness goal. If you have a standing appointment with a fitness instructor, you’re much more likely to show up than if you decide to wait and see how you feel after work before hitting the gym.
Hint: Everyone is tired after work, and that’s when motivational levels are low. A fitness instructor can help pump you up.
Monitoring Your Progress
One of the greatest things about having a fitness instructor is that they’re able to track your progress and make adjustments to your plan as you continue. This helps produce greater results, maybe even in a shorter amount of time than you initially expected.