Your ultimate guide to the investment that matters most.
You are worth it
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The investment of the 21st century isn't a new startup or a trendy mutual fund.
It's you.
You are, without a doubt, the most important investment that any person can make. That single decision to invest in yourself will be one of the best choices you will ever make, and every day you don't act on it is a missed opportunity.
You can go to college and get yourself an education, you can work your ass off to try to climb the corporate ladder, but at the end of the day, if you don't value yourself enough to take care of your own health then all that other stuff doesn't matter. If you have a bad back, or you're on your way to being diabetic, or if you've been so stressed out that your hair is falling out, it doesn't matter what kind of job you have, who you've got in your corner, or how much money is in your bank account. You won't be well enough to enjoy any of it.
The first thing you have to understand is that investing in yourself isn't just going to the gym for a couple hours or going on a diet. It's about deciding that you have an inherent value, and that you're willing to put in the work necessary to achieve what you want. Maybe you don't want anything but an easy life, watching TV from your couch while scarfing down Doritos... BUT if you want more for your self you have to start with a fundamental trust in yourself, and the first step is to understand that this takes work.
This doesn't just mean showing up at the gym three times a week or giving up fast food. It means taking the steps necessary to become healthy, even if they are difficult or uncomfortable.
The fact is, investing in your health isn't about achieving perfection, it's about making the daily choices that lead to a better life. There are going to be days where you don't feel like going to the gym or eating a salad instead of a burger and fries, but making those decisions over and over again can not only make a difference in the long term, but it can help you develop the discipline to make other important life choices.
Value your fitness
Fitness is like a difficult friend.
It takes time and effort to develop a relationship with it and the minute you neglect it, the friendship takes a turn. Personal trainers, nutritionists, friends, family, random Instagram influencers can all help introduce you, but unless YOU make fitness a part of your life, it's only a matter of time before it slips away.
Ok that's a little dramatic. But you get it.
What you will learn from fitness, if you stay with it, is that health isn't just about having a hot bod or getting your heart pumping. It's about learning how to take care of yourself no matter what life throws at you. It's about having the energy to be with your friends and family, or to go on adventures. It's about living your life to the fullest, instead of just existing in it. And it's about understanding that your time and money is yours, and you deserve to spend them in a way that will lead to greater happiness.
The value of fitness cannot be understated. It improves your mental clarity, sleep patterns, and gives you more confidence when going out into the world. The problem is figuring out the where, how, and what of a training program.
For example: Where do I start with weight loss? What muscles should I be training ? How do I progress my fitness goals? That is why hiring a professional can make a huge difference.
A personal trainer can answer all your questions, provide motivation during difficult times, and develop a program tailored to meet your needs.
Accelerate your investment
Hiring a trainer, or hiring a nutritionist are both an investment in your personal and professional future. It's all about taking action for yourself on a daily basis because at the end of the day, you're the only one who's going to get this thing done. A professional is there to guide the process.
Trainers are knowledgeable people who have studied human movement extensively and know how to get the most out of you in the shortest amount of time possible. Hiring a personal trainer is definitely worth it to get the most out of your training time. You need to know that you are making an investment in your health. A trainer will not let you slack off during sessions or give up when the training gets tough.
What to look for in a personal trainer
You should look for a personal trainer who:
Can demonstrate his or her knowledge of exercise science, metabolic function, and biomechanics. Of course they should be able to talk about other less scientific topics, you will be spending a decent amount of time training with this person after all, but their main function is to be the expert who knows the "where, what, how, and why" of fitness.
Look for a trainer who:
Is passionate about fitness, not just someone trying to pay bills. If you ask them why they love personal training, do they have a well thought out response? They should be able to give clear and concise answers about the benefits of training and how it relates to their own life. If they can't, then you should look for another personal trainer because this will indicate that they don't really value your fitness goals. They value your money.
Make sure you are looking for:
A personal trainer, not just someone who can lift heavy weights. Some of the best athletes in the world made for horrible coaches in their sport. A personal trainer must be able to explain and teach the mechanics of an exercise, not just perform it. The best trainers are able to take what would be considered difficult exercises and make them seem easy with proper instruction. Personal training is not about what the coach can do. It's about what they can get YOU to do.
Look for a personal trainer near you:
Personal training sessions should reduce complications our clients have with their strength training, weight loss, or body transformation goals. Not add to them. Driving an hour in traffic to get to a workout is a major complication. I am a personal trainer in Keller Tx. It would be unreasonable for me to expect someone to drive from 4 cities over to get in a 45min workout and although I would be flattered, it would not be in their best interest most likely. Stay within a driving distance that allows you to be consistent with sessions and without undue stress.
Qualities of a great personal trainer
A great personal trainer is able to:
Modify an exercise or workout to meet your individual needs. If you have an old injury or lack general mobility, your trainer should be able to change the movement so that it isn't painful for you. They should also be able to tell when they are pushing you too far and adjust according to a persons fitness levels. Personal training is...well...personal. It should be designed directly for you and your needs.
Your personal trainer should be able to:
Listen to your questions. They may not know the answer, but they should know who does, or where you can find out more information about it. No personal trainer is an expert in every area of fitness, so if they're stumped by something you ask them, they shouldn't act like you're challenging their expertise and obviously they should NEVER make up an answer. If they value their ego over client health, find a different trainer.
Great personal trainers:
Motivate you and get through to you like no one else can. Personal training is coaching, not just listening to a fitness instructor. Having someone who knows the ins and outs of human movement and exercise science but still gets you excited about working out is priceless. You need to find a trainer who believes in your ability to achieve your goals and keeps you moving towards those goals.
Make sure you choose personal trainers:
Who keeps accurate client records of workouts and client progress, or make sure they give them to the other professionals working with clients. Your trainer should be accessible and available and should not hesitate to take accountability for their mistakes (if there are any). They need to be as proactive as possible, constantly looking for ways to improve your fitness and health.
Get After It
I'm not saying hiring a fitness coach or hiring a personal trainer is the right choice for everyone. But what I AM saying is that you owe it to yourself to find out - that you have a responsibility to take care of this body and mind that the universe blessed you with. If hiring a trainer is the way you're going to get started, do it. If venturing alone is more your speed, do that. But whatever you choose, DO SOMETHING because not doing anything means you don't really value yourself enough to invest in the only thing that's yours for sure - you.