Traditional Training
Personal training is one of the most effective ways to get fit and stay fit. You get a customized workout, personalized attention, and in your face motivation that is definitely worth the money. How much money? A one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer averages about $65 per hour and any trainer, studio, or health club worth your time isn't going to allow you to buy just one session. Most personal training sessions are sold in packages of 16, 24, 36, or 48. The purpose of selling multiple sessions isn't to make more money. The true purpose is to design a periodized program (a program that changes every 3-4 weeks) so that you get results and learn proper diet, self motivation, and healthy lifestyle changes. Most people who work with trainers understand that one workout isn't going to change years of inactivity and they are often so surprised by their progress that they continue to train for years. Unfortunately many people can't afford a personal trainer for an extended period of time and some can't afford a trainer at all.
Online Training
The solution to this problem is online training. A new and revolutionary way to get customized programs and one on one attention for a fraction of the cost. Online training is the latest trend in fitness with more studios, health clubs, and websites offering programs for anywhere from $20-$80 a month. Online training works a little differently than one-on-one. You typically start the same as you do with a one-on-one trainer, by filling out a profile, health history questionaire and various assesments, except you do it online. A program is then customized for you based on your goals, fitness level, preferences, and special conditions. The difference is you receive the program via email and you are then responsible for doing the workouts and reporting back to your online trainer via email or through their website reporting system. If you have any questions, issues, or problems your trainer is there for you primarily through email support.Advantages:
- Disadvantages:
- You are responsible for proper form
- You must motivate yourself to do the workouts
- You must turn up the intensity and push yourself (not easy for some)
- You must be honest and accurate in your reporting
Is it effective?
According to a study published in the March 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dieters who received weekly advice from behavioral therapists on the Internet lost three times as much weight in six months as those who just had access to information about diet and exercise on the Internet — 9 pounds compared to 3 pounds. "Logging on more frequently was associated with better weight loss in both groups. But more importantly than just logging on to a Web site is what type of program you tap into. Our study shows that a structured program with continued contact works better than just giving people access to information online" said lead researcher Deborah F. Tate, assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior in the Medical School. Tate collaborated on the study with Rena R. Wing, professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the Medical School, and Richard A. Winett, professor of psychology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The study was supported by a grant from the Weight Risk Investigators Study Council, a research division of Knoll Pharmaceutical.
Check out a sample program in a format that most online trainers are using to work with their clients plus plans to get started.
Save to Del.icio.us
