Hire a Personal Trainer

It might seem like a luxury, but you don't have to be rich or famous to work out with a personal trainer. You do need a real desire to see some results from your workouts. Think of it this way: you're hiring a part-time tutor. Someone to teach you what you need to know, put you on the path to success and then let you do your thing to succeed. Don't be afraid to only purchase a handful of sessions. You can always stick with it, but a few weeks of training with a pro might be all you need to get a solid routine in place. So if you've been considering hiring some help to ensure you get in shape, here are the key benefits that should help you make the right decision.

Proper Instruction

Perhaps the single biggest problem of going it alone at the gym is that if you don't know what you're doing, you could end up hurting yourself—or at least, not getting the full benefit of the workout. A skilled trainer will demonstrate every movement and correct any issues you may have with form or technique. They're also available to help explain the ins and outs of the machines and other equipment.

Accountability

Commitment is one of the most common problems when it comes to fitness. When you're exercising on your own (or even with a buddy), it's easier to cheat, call it quits early or skip a session here and there. Since you're paying a trainer, you're not going to miss a session and he'll make sure you make the most of your workout time. The payoff? Better results.

Personalized Workouts

This one sounds obvious, but it's one of the biggest benefits. Because you've got a trained professional tailoring the exercises to your body, fitness levels and personal goals. Whether you're looking to bulk up your chest and broaden your shoulders or just whittle down your waist, they know how to focus the workouts to your needs. You see results much more quickly than if you were simply doing standard sets. And results are the key to both short-term and long-term success.

Preventing a Plateau

Even for committed gym-goers, it's easy to fall into a plateau in your fitness routine. You go into autopilot at the gym, going through the same motions and as a result, you don't see any real improvement. One of the popular ways to keep your muscles growing is by confusing them. Which is why personal trainers will vary your workouts. It keeps you from getting bored, introduces new challenges and will help break you out of your plateau.