Ten Good Reasons to Hire a Private Personal Trainer

Encouragement. Less than a year ago, Denise King was about to hit her fortieth birthday and was determined not to find herself overweight and out of shape. She went to her local gym, told them her goals and asked for the best: they suggested Gina Jaggers (NASM, BA in Theater/Health). "I came to Gina to find a professional who would help me reach my fitness goals and I gained a friend," King explains. "Gina helps me stay motivated (and provides) tips for food. When we're together, we really capitalize on that time."

Family Impact. Many of the educational benefits of hiring a private personal trainer extend beyond the time spent with the trainer to the entire family. "Teach your clients," Davis advises. "They will teach their spouse and children. Get the entire family on board with the goal and you will create a success story." This has certainly proven true for King, her daughter asked for a personal trainer as the gift for her 18th birthday. King let her pick any trainer she wanted and she now also trains with Jaggers.

Independence. Cassady says, "Even if your goal is to create your own workouts and exercise by yourself, hiring a trainer for a few sessions can be a great benefit for learning the right way to exercise. Just a few sessions can teach you a lot about your body and how it works." Lacey Sills would probably agree. Sills worked with a personal trainer and is now a major fan of group exercise. In fact, she lost 30 lbs after her time with the trainer ended by coupling the basic understanding of fitness with tips gained through over 20 sessions with a trainer. For Lacey, the keys are motivation and education. "Once you've got a basic understanding of nutrition and exercise – how your body works best – you can do it independently. That is, as long as you have the motivation of course. Some people feel like they need someone to be accountable to, and that's fine, but if you can stay motivated, you can reach your fitness goals."

Management & Prevention. "In the past two to three months, I've come down with some health issues – I've been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis," King explains. "I need a personal trainer now more than ever for pain management and mental release. Gina helps me find ways of being as agile as possible for as long as I can. Of course, beyond that, fitness helps prevent depression, not to mention gravity's effects on your body as you get older!"

Recovery. One of the interesting benefits of private personal training is the way it can provide support when the unexpected occurs in life. After about six months of working with a personal trainer, Drazic learned that he needed to have a shunt installed to address a 75 percent vascular blockage on his right side and a 70 percent blockage on his left. He continued to stay active through the process of recovery and believes that his new active lifestyle and better nutritional choices are largely to thank. Last week, he had vascular surgery to address another 50% blockage and today he is being interviewed after completing a one-hour spin class. "It's a good thing I was already getting in shape," Drazic says, "now I feel like I'm ahead."

Results. Perhaps the most obvious reason to hire a private personal trainer is for results – the "after" story. For Drazic, the results have been tangible. "I got a personal trainer because I wanted to get into shape. I figured I was 64, ahead of the power curve, and I needed to make some changes. In the past, when I was younger, I was a marathoner and competed in triathlons. . . Now I just wanted to be able to keep up with my grandkids and stay healthy." He's met those goals, keeping up with his grandkids, improving his nutritional habits and ultimately moving from 38 units of insulin a day down to just 20 units. Similarly, King reports that after seven months of work with Jaggers, she has lost 25 pounds and over 15 inches. Beyond that, she's gained an understanding of nutrition and general fitness that has become the foundation for a new stage of life.

Creativity & Resourcefulness. Variety is the spice of life and, for many it's the key to achieving fitness results. According to Betty Guitierrez (NASM certified) "the body needs to be introduced to new exercises every four to six weeks" for maximum results. Beyond that even the most devoted exercisers can grow bored with their usual workout. Guiterrez finds that, "one of the things [her] clients love is that they never get bored!" It can be difficult for the average person to know how to vary their workout in a way that will best meet their fitness goals so hiring a trainer can support the need for creativity as you push toward fitness goals. Similarly, private personal trainers can show you how to use what you have to get the results you want. Cassady explains, "If you are truly looking for the most bang for your buck, consider hiring a trainer in lieu of the getting a gym membership. Most memberships cost roughly $50 each month which could add up to $600 or more each year. Instead, you could hire a trainer to provide you with tips for using what you have around the house."

Value. When asked whether the financial commitment is one she thinks is worthwhile, she explains, "Everyone's budget is different. Everyone's lifestyle is different and the things that are a priority are different. If being healthy is a priority; if overcoming a weight issue or behavioral issue is a priority, then it's worth it." She continues, "You are probably spending that money somewhere else. [It makes just as much financial sense] if you channel that money toward something that's healthy."

This post was contributed via Seed.com, AOL's new platform for freelance writers.