Podcast #29 – Don’t hire a personal trainer
People that try to outsource their own health and wellness never quite see the return they want.
You can’t treat your body like a car that you take to the mechanic or call AAA when you have a problem. Noone will ever know your body as well as you do.
Trainers can not fix you, get you in better shape, or change your mindset. They can only help you make that change yourself.
Working out hard for 60 minutes a day but sitting for 12 still makes you a sedentary individual.
The sweet spot for working with a coach is 1-2x/week. Going 3-4 times a week gets expensive and can be used as an excuse for outsourcing all your exercise and physical movement into those slots. But that just isn’t enough to really make change.
Trainers are good for:
Accountability
Structure
Motivation
Information
Trainers are not good for:
Doing things for you.
Reading your mind
Being your only source of motivation and desire.
You can’t coach desire, so before you hire a coach or trainer, you need to actually want the outcome yourself.
It’s not about how hard you are willing to work, it’s about how much you are willing to sacrifice.
It’s not about getting rid of the problem, it’s about choosing the problems you want to have.
Every “solution” has it’s associated pain, are you willing to accept that pain?
There are no quick fixes in life. You either become the person that is fit, strong, healthy, and athletic, or you don’t. And no one can do that for you. If you’re not willing to accept the sacrifice and pain that comes with an outcome, you’re not going to have the outcome.
People are obsessed with this notion of winning the lottery because it symbolizes the ultimate fantasy of getting something with no risk or input. But the problem shows up when those people are nowhere near ready to handle the pain that comes with having a ton of money. They get harassed, spend it on stupid stuff, go in debt, and end up worse off than before.
You see professional athletes do the same thing.
So if you want to be healthier, leaner, stronger, more muscular, more athletic, or feel better, don’t go to a personal trainer, unless you are ready and willing to do the work.
And if you do make that decision, choose a trainer who will help you build a program and structure for your entire life, not just the hour or so you see them in the gym. Work with someone who empowers you to actually grow and change, not just spend money.
