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I need a personal trainer!!! I told my husband that this weekend and he gave me a very bewildered look. I think he was caught between “ok, whatever you want” and “oh no, is this a trap?!”

No, it isn’t a trap. I want a personal trainer for the accountability. The holidays are coming around and I’m getting stressed just at the thought of trying to fit everything in. I have all the intentions in the world to workout everyday but then I get sidelined by a hungry baby, or a cranky toddler, or mountains of laundry. By the end of the day I am exhausted and frustrated when I haven’t been able to exercise like I had planned. (yes, I still do my squats and lunges all over the place—but nothing can replace the endorphin rush I get after running or lifting weights for an extended period of time)

Therefore I have decided that a personal trainer is the only surefire way I can get a solid, hard core workout each week. (I wish I could afford more!) I will get to leave the house and won’t have any child or family distractions to take me away from my workout. I will have someone that is focused on just me (can you imagine?!) and doing the thinking for me.

Yes, I may have the knowledge and education of personal training but sometimes it is nice to not have to think during your workout. The benefit of a personal trainer is that all you have to do is show up.

I also need someone who is going to push me beyond my limits. I need someone to get in my face and tell me that not only can I do it, but I will do it. Jay Johnson, the trainer for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, would be perfect! Unfortunately he is not in my neck of the woods, so I am on the hunt for an excellent trainer who is going to keep me focused and work me over.

If you are considering a trainer, here are a few questions you should ask:

• Is your trainer certified by a nationally recognized organization? Look for someone who is certified by NASM, ACE, or the like. Do your homework on this one, some certifications don’t require anything more than a 10 minute quiz on the internet.
• What kind of education does your trainer have? Ideally you want someone who has completed a degree or coursework in a health or fitness field.
• Is the trainer CPR certified? Don’t sign on with someone who isn’t! Many gyms and fitness centers do not follow-up on this requirement. Make sure your trainer is certified.
• What kind of experience does your trainer have? Choose someone who has experience training others and not just themselves. Just because someone has been a gym rat for 5 years does not mean they will know what is best for you.
• Can he or she provide a list of references? Call at least one person on that list.

Don’t be afraid to interview a few trainers if necessary. If you don’t “click” with the trainer that the gym assigns to you, ask for someone else.

Personal training is the perfect gift for you, so why not put it on your holiday list now? I sure am!

Written on Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 at 2:53 am
Filed under about me, just for moms.
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