Personal Training, Gym Membership Or Group Class?
Updated: Jan 29, 2020
Congratulations on deciding to make your health a priority whether it be for the first time, getting back into shape or just wanting to do something different!
The first step: Choose how you're going to work out. Of course it's much easier said than actually done. The fitness industry has expanded in the last 10 to 15 years. There are now Zumba classes, Boot Camps, Cross Fit and many other ways to get fit. Knowing the pros and cons will help you determine where you could excel the most.
Group Classes:
Group Fitness Classes are great for getting yourself in shape. There are plenty of options to choose from when you want to sign up. The most popular classes held at franchise gyms are Spinning, Pilates and Zumba. Here at Gifted Fitness, we offer what is called FitCamp. FitCamp is joining up a group of people to have fun while increasing strength and conditioning. When I hold group classes, they're held outdoors instead of in a congested & stuffy gym. At the time of planning, I know how many people are coming, and not a single person knows what they'll be doing (not even my wife if she participates). As a qualified and certified trainer, my goal is to make sure sure every activity is safe while you have fun and get stronger.
The cons? These classes may be fun, but majority of them are designed to help increase your level of fitness and not so much to shed weight. Also, Group Classes have set days and times which could make it more difficult to attend.
Gym Memberships:
Getting a gym membership is pretty easy. Most gyms only require your driver's license and a debit or credit card. The fees are gentle on your wallet also being that monthly memberships usually range between $10 to $40. That's perfect for anyone especially if the gym is open 24/7. Plus you can normally do what you want and when you want.
The cons? There's no one to hold you to achieving goals. It's great to have a work out buddy or friend, but you truly need to know how to write a program that will be specific to you. Working up a sweat is great, but if you have no idea what your targets are, how to track your progress, perform proper exercise techniques, etc., you could be setting yourself up for failure without the proper direction and guidance. That doesn't mean you need 3 degrees and 3 certifications to get the most out of your gym membership and work outs. It just means you need to know what you want and how to get there.
Personal Training:
Hiring a Personal Trainer is an excellent means to getting your health/life on track. Any person can pick up a clipboard and tell you to do exercises, but as a Certified Fitness Trainer myself, most of us spend the time learning how to help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be and maximizing that once you get there. Your fitness programs are customized to your specific needs based on the information that is provided. We collect your weight, BMI by taking skinfold measurements, determine your level of fitness by questionnaires, obtaining clearances from your Physician and even doing before and after photos to use as a comparison tool. Being that we know nutrition plays a HUGE roll in customizing your programs, we also create meal plans around what you can and can't eat even if you're allergic to certain foods. The cool thing is that you can normally book sessions that fit perfect for your schedule. Some Certified Trainers can save you time and money by actually going to your home, if their insurance covers training at your home.
The only negative to Personal Training is that sometimes it can be expensive. The expense is usually based on your area, the certifications & degrees that a Personal Trainer may have and what the gym charges the Personal Trainer to use their facility and machines (Yes, gyms usually charge a fee.).
If you're truly serious about wanting to lose weight, gain muscle mass or even want to rehabilitate an injury, personal training is going to be your best option. I do support Group Fitness Classes, Gym Memberships just as much as I do with Personal Training being that you can get results from all of them.
At Gifted Fitness, my focus is YOU and what you want and need to get the results you strive for. Small changes are normally added to your lifestyle to see and feel a big difference.
If you're interested in participating in my Group Class called FitCamp or my 1-On-1 Training Sessions, please contact me!