A Must-Read Fitness Guide On Hiring An In-Home Personal Trainer

As work schedules get busier, coupled with the lifestyle changes brought by the COVID-19 outbreak, many fitness goals are being put on the back burner. In other words, hitting the local gym has not been an option for some. It could be the inconvenience of working out in a crowded fitness centre. The noise, sweat, and often lack of privacy might seem too much for them to handle. If that isn’t the case, pricey gym memberships and gas expenses may be deterrents.

Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this problem: hire an in-home personal trainer. In-home personal training is a practical alternative for the time-crunched fitness-minded individual. It doesn’t necessitate breaking the bank, contrary to popular belief. In actuality, hiring an in-home fitness expert may be cheaper than driving to the gym.

Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy safe and consistent workout routines in the comfort of their homes, thanks to the advent of in-home personal training. To understand this model and the steps to take in choosing a qualified trainer, kindly read further.

Common Misconceptions with In-Home Personal Training

When most people are on the brink of starting a fitness regimen, they often get side-tracked by myths and misconceptions. A lot of these beliefs hinge on preconceived notions, false assumptions, and stereotyped judgements of what fitness is, in reality, all about. To avoid falling prey to these untruths, here are some common misconceptions about in-home personal training.

Myth 1: All Fitness Trainers Are Ripped

Common! Really? Nothing could be further from the truth. In-home personal trainers are probably just like anyone else, with the added advantage of physical fitness, expertise, and certifications. They may or may not be ripped or have six-pack abs. What’s important, though, is that they understand the mechanics of a trainee’s body and know how to design safe and efficient workouts based on specific requirements.

A personalized workout plan will always beat a cookie-cutter routine. It’s like comparing a tailored suit to a pair of men’s jeans from the department store. An experienced in-home fitness trainer understands the body well enough to know the areas that need more attention and can train them properly.

Myth 2: It’s Just a Bunch of Dumbbells and Noodles

Not at all. The modern-day in-home personal trainer can easily combine various types of workouts in a fitness program. There’s a reason why it’s called personalized training. For instance, in a resistance training program, a trainer may work with a client to develop an exercise plan that emphasizes weight lifting while at the same time incorporating cardio workouts, like running and biking.

There’s no denying that weight training plays a big role in developing a healthy and well-defined physique. Yet, this doesn’t imply that people with less muscle mass are excluded from the program. It’s an in-home trainer’s role to design a routine suited to any trainee’s needs.

Myth 3: They Are Harsh and Threatening When Alone with Their Clients

In-home personal training isn’t a military drill, with trainers barking orders and scaring their clients into action. The objective of any training program is to keep a client fit and healthy. Hence, all fitness training professionals are expected to maintain a high level of patience and kindness with their clients. Achieving a fitness goal isn’t an overnight process, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be a torturous one.

The best in-home trainers motivate their trainees through compassion, patience, and sometimes humour. Regardless, the discipline factor should stay intact. Trainees must understand that fitness isn’t a cakewalk, but it is attainable if they work hard.

How to Find the Right In-Home Personal Trainer

A personal trainer is more than just someone with muscles and a training bench. In-home personal trainers are professionals practically trained in fitness and have certifications to back up their experience. There are a couple of key traits to look for during the selection process:

Certification

Aside from being well-versed in the mechanics of a proper training session, an in-home personal trainer should also have certification affirming specified knowledge and skills. The certifying agency may include ACSM, NASM, and others. Having certification from a recognized professional organization implies that the personal trainer has undergone training in the principles of health and fitness and is an expert. It is recommended that the professional be certified in both physical fitness and personal training.

Academic Qualification

An academic qualification can’t be overlooked, even if it’s not a mandatory requirement to qualify as a fitness professional. Although an in-home personal trainer can be trained at the gym, a degree in exercise science will prove beneficial. It helps to solidify the knowledge of how the body works and the mechanisms behind fitness programs, which will help them design safe, effective, and efficient training sessions.

CPR and First Aid Certification

Trainees must ensure that their in-home personal trainer is up to speed with basic safety procedures. At the minimum, it should include CPR and first aid training. CPR is a standard protocol and basic necessity to know, as it helps save the life of a trainee in an emergency. First aid is a form of immediate care that can stabilize the trainee until more advanced medical assistance arrives.

Liability Insurance

Lawsuits are no laughing matter, especially when they involve personal injuries. Trainees should seek a professional that carries liability insurance. They should also conduct a background check, particularly on trainers with less than five years of experience. It’s essential to verify if the liability coverage has lapsed, or if there have been any claims filed against the personal trainer.

A background check can be conducted through the personal trainer’s home state or county association. If the trainer’s certifications are from a different state, the state may offer a searchable database. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an In-Home Personal Trainer?

Hiring an in-home personal trainer isn’t a cheap endeavour, though not outrageously priced. The average rate is $55 per hour, which varies based on the area of specialty, equipment used, and experience. Some trainers charge by the week, while others charge per session. To find out the exact cost, interview several in-home personal trainers before making a final decision.

Conclusion

Most people who engage in physical fitness routines do so to improve their overall quality of life. It can be achieved through safe and effective exercise programs. The most convenient way to achieve this goal is to hire an in-home personal trainer. With their extensive experience, in-home personal trainers are equipped to provide individualized fitness plans to a diverse population. Hence, trainees easily establish a better working relationship with them. This arrangement is what makes in-home fitness training a bit more personal.