As summer starts to kick in, many people are getting back into their health and exercise routines. Whether it’s to shed a little winter weight to look good for summer, or to reset, gyms seem to be filling up again.
“It’s encouraging to see people prioritise their health again. This is especially important because of the significant impact that lifestyle diseases can have on many South Africans,” says Leandre Kark, Head of Brand Marketing at Virgin Active South Africa.
“It’s a well-known fact that South Africans have some of the highest rates of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer; all of which have an adverse impact on quality of life and life expectancy. Lifestyle factors such as diet, physical inactivity and alcohol abuse contribute to the prevalence of NCDs among South Africans.”
Exercise and good nutrition are essential to off-set the impact of NCDs, and while the benefit of a healthy lifestyle is clear, it’s not always as clear where to start or how to achieve a healthy balance. Hiring a Personal Trainer can be helpful for various reasons, but mostly because they can provide personalised expertise, motivation and accountability to help their clients achieve their goals.
- A personal trainer is qualified to guide you
While there’s no shortage of resources on apps or the internet, Personal Trainers are certified professionals with knowledge of exercise physiology, nutrition and fitness principles. They can create a customised workout plan tailored to specific goals, fitness levels and medical considerations.
“The expertise offered by qualified Personal Trainers ensures that you’re performing exercises correctly and safely, minimising the risk of injury and maximising the effectiveness of your workouts. This can also make a significant difference to how confident you feel in the gym, because you have an experienced partner to help and guide you,” adds Kark.
- Goal Achievement: Setting and working towards realistic milestones
Personal Trainers can help you set realistic and achievable fitness goals. They break down long-term objectives into manageable milestones, providing you with a clear path to success. Having someone to help you track your progress and adjust your program as needed, makes the effort of working towards the goal feel more manageable and achievable.
- Motivation and accountability
Working towards long-term lifestyle change takes time, which can lead to complacency or even boredom, especially if results are not immediate. Working with a Personal Trainer and knowing that there is a scheduled training session to show up for can be a powerful incentive to stay committed to your journey. Personal Trainers also hold you accountable for your workouts and nutrition choices, making it a little harder to skip a session or eat unhealthy foods.
- An exercise approach tailored to what works for you
When embarking on a fitness and wellness journey, it’s important to understand what advantages and limitations you might have. Everyone is different and it’s important to take a tailored approach to ensure you are not overextending yourself or setting yourself up for failure. Taking incremental steps is the key to achieving a goal, and working with a trainer who understands your lifestyle can be highly effective in enabling consistent progress.
“Personal Trainers design exercise routines that cater to your individual needs and preferences. They also take any medical conditions or previous injuries into consideration. Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, improve flexibility or simply be healthier, they can create a plan that aligns with your objectives. This personalised approach ensures that you remain engaged, enjoy your workouts and stay the course to a healthier, happier you.” concludes Kark.
