It’s time to assess your post-holiday physical fitness level; and if your exercise routine the past month consisted of running errands to the mall, now may be the perfect time to consider a personal trainer to help you maximize your time and financial investment.

The notion that a personal trainer is out of reach and reserved only for star athletes or movie stars is obsolete. Having a personal trainer does cost more than a typical health club membership, but many say it is affordable when you consider it a financial investment in yourself.

Many of today’s personal trainers have college degrees in kinesiology, exercise physiology, sports medicine or biomechanics, and are specifically trained to deliver physical fitness training programs, said Jason Block, director of personal training for the Michigan Athletic Club.

“The level of certification, education and training for personal trainers has risen dramatically. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a health-related field is the norm now,” said Block, who has a master’s degree in kinesiology from Illinois State University.

The MAC, which is a division of Sparrow Health System, has a staff of 22 certified personal trainers overseeing as many as 18,000 personal training sessions per year. Individual personal training fees are $60 to $80 per hour based on the experience level of the personal trainer, according to Block. Costs are higher for non-members.

“Our mantra is that everyone needs a personal trainer. There is so much misinformation out there about diet and exercise and what works and doesn’t work. Personal trainers have the expertise and education to guide a person along the correct path,” Block said. “In this fast-paced society, it’s really about getting the most out of your time while here at the MAC.”

Block added many people mischaracterize the use of a personal trainer as being “attached at the hip to a trainer who will watch your every move,” which typically isn’t the case. “Depending on the goals of a person, meeting once a week with your personal trainer is enough. For others, once a month keeps them on course. Statistics show that more people are unsuccessful than successful in reaching their goals and a lot of that has to do with a lack of motivation.”

The motivation component is just part of what a personal trainer does with education and organization also playing important roles.

“There are a lot of things to pull together. The exercise, the diet, flexibility and nutrition are equally important. A personal trainer is a life coach of sorts, keeping clients focused on what they need to do to achieve good fitness,” Block explained.

Block characterized the local demand for personal trainers in mid-Michigan as steady. The MAC, a 275,000-square-foot facility, is doing more injury rehabilitation work on referrals from physicians and the medical community. Despite the increase in that segment, most people are just interested in losing weight.

“Job security is knowing that America keeps getting fatter, despite the advent of more nutritious foods and the increased awareness of health, nutrition and exercise,” Block said.

The YMCA of Lansing first opened its doors here in 1877 and now has four branches across mid-Michigan. The not-for-profit organization, long known for its Christian values, offers personal training at all four locations, according to Jon Greene, personal training director at the YMCA Downtown Downtown Wellness Center.

“Weight loss is by far the number one reason we hear from people when coming to see a personal trainer. But we also have people who are coming back from injury and want to get back to playing tennis or golf and need some extra help,” Greene said. “It’s important to balance a program with realistic goals. You can’t expect overnight results and be successful.”

Avoiding injury when beginning a workout routine is equally important, Greene added.

“So many people start out too fast and injure themselves or they get sore. They don’t realize that it takes up to eight weeks to get into condition to increase the intensity of the workouts to really start seeing the results,” said Greene, who has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Michigan State University.

The YMCA, a partner of the Capital Area United Way, charges from $50 to $60 per personal training session for members and a bit more for non-members.

“The Downtown location draws a lot of State of Michigan employees and businesspeople who work Downtown. However, all of our facilities are very family friendly. This is a place you can feel comfortable regardless of your fitness level,” Greene said.

To get started on a personal trainer program, Greene said you should not to feel intimidated, even if you don’t know how to program that elliptical or treadmill machine among the maze of cardiovascular equipment.

“That is why we are here. We can show you how to get started safely with the cardiovascular and weight resistance machines. We do not expect people to know what their target heart rate should be or to know the latest in nutrition.”

Ingrid Klarstrom, membership coordinator and personal trainer at Court One Athletic Clubs, tells potential clients to look for someone who will listen to their goals.

“[A personal trainer] should have a stable understanding of the physiology of nutrition, how the body maintains itself, and understand the techniques of exercise,” Klarstrom said.

Court One, with locations in Okemos and Lansing, charges $30 to $60 per hour for certified personal trainer sessions.

Personal training has evolved over the years as exercise equipment has incorporated new technologies, Klarstrom said, so that machines can now be matched biomechanically to each individual body type.

“Begin by making sure the trainer is aware of your background, any old injuries you have suffered … an evaluation of your fitness level so he or she can customize a workout regimen tailored to your needs,” Klarstrom added.

Court One has 10 personal trainers on staff and was founded in 1979 by a local investment group that purchased the former Greater Lansing Racquet Club facility on Lake Lansing Road (Court One North). The group then acquired the former Lansing Tennis Club (Court One East) in Okemos in 1981.

Adding a personal trainer to your fitness agenda may seem like a luxury, but as the rush hour at the gym begins, packed with people full of good intentions and New Year’s resolutions, you’ll have the advantage of using a personal trainer to give you the motivation and proper instruction to reach your fitness goals.

Local health experts consider certification as being crucial to selecting a knowledgeable personal trainer. However, many certifying bodies exist, and there is an absence of government regulation. Several of the more respected certification boards include: American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, National Council of Strength & Fitness and the National Federation of Professional Trainers.

Author: Randy J. Stine

Photography: Terri Shaver