For some, dieting, exercising, and sticking to a fitness program are instances of mind over matter—that ultimately, it is a complete waste of time and money to have someone do what you could otherwise do yourself free of charge.
But when you can hire a personal chef to cook personalized healthy meals, a dermatologist to care for your skin, or a hairdresser who knows your best cut, why should it be any different with a fitness coach who can bring you closer to your health goals?
READ: This is a non-negotiable: You need fitness in your life right now
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Why do you need a fitness coach?
Exercise guidance and lifestyle management education
A fitness coach/personal trainer can help you begin your fitness journey with safe and effective exercises that match your body type and lifestyle goals.
Accountability and exercise consistency
I’ve been training some clients who have been with me for more than 15 years. When asked, they all emphasized the importance of having me as a personal trainer because they can always have a solid exercise commitment.
Clarity with a personalized program
A credible, educated, and experienced fitness coach can help you manage your stress by eliminating the wasted time, guesswork, and confusion you get from overwhelming online health information. A good coach can give you a personalized approach with exercise programs and lifestyle strategies that only work for you.
READ: Spend time, money, and energy on things that make you healthy and happy
Disease and injury prevention
A fitness coach can work with a physician while helping someone prevent or recover from cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, metabolic, or psychological health issues through goal-setting, constant communication, and program evaluation.
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How do you start, and what do you need to look for in a fitness coach?
Education
Wellness and health strategies are constantly being updated. Aside from experience, a fitness coach’s updated knowledge is essential for a safe and effective exercise and lifestyle program.
Learn if a coach handles updated certifications from credible certifying organizations such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), International Sports Science Association (ISSA), and National Strength and/or Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Personality
Look for a coach who can also match your personality as a client. Do you want a strict, more relaxed, or flexible coach?
Type of service
Online or face-to-face coach? One-on-one or small group? Gym training or home service?
Expertise
Identify your needs and seek a knowledgeable and well-experienced coach to address your current health and fitness concerns—bodybuilding, powerlifting, jumpstart program, weight management, peri- or post-menopausal issues, sports conditioning and performance, senior fitness, injury prevention or management, or a combination of your main concerns.
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Professional fee
Analyze your budget and the going rates of a fitness coach to plan a realistic training schedule. In the Philippines, a fitness coach’s hourly rate (online or face-to-face) ranges between ₱800 and ₱2,000. A more experienced coach with specialized education and qualifications can charge more.
If you have a limited budget at this point, connect with your chosen trainer, even for one personalized session, to have a good foundation in exercise form, technique, execution, and programming. You can always contact the coach and reevaluate your fitness program after a week, month, or whenever needed.
Extra services
Ask your coach about other programs to enhance the fitness experience. A coach can also be certified in other areas of fitness and health and can give other fitness services such as lifestyle coaching, healthy eating, physical therapy, and specialized fitness programs such as Pilates, yoga, run training, dance, or even martial arts.
Program approach
Your first meeting with your coach involves goal-setting and program planning. From there, you can already get a good idea of whether you can work well together. The next one is a session devoted to overall fitness and movement assessment. From there, your program can begin based on your needs, history, assessment results, and exercise preference. After a few sessions, you can see the results on your physical health, behavior, and overall lifestyle. And so you can decide if you can continue with a coach, do it on your own, or consider other options.
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