Oftentimes getting a personal trainer turns out to be a worthwhile expense -- but until you see (and feel!) concrete results from hiring an exercise expert, is there a way to know whether you've got a good trainer on your hands?
Absolutely, says Women's Health fitness expert Rachel Cosgrove. She explains to the magazine how anyone can protect themselves from shoddy body sculptors. If your trainer tries to talk you into of these things, it may be time to move on:
Sitting at a weight machine. You should be standing on your feet, using your core, working multiple muscles at a time, in order to burn maximum calories and injury-proof your body, said Cosgrove.
More than 15 to 20 reps of a core exercise. If you can do any more than that, you should be adding weight or switching up the exercise (for example, to crunches on a Swiss ball).
Sticking to one body part a day. A full-body routine that works your muscles in a variety of ways is more efficient for achieving a lean body, says Cosgrove.
Keeping your knees behind your toes during quates. "When you're working out solo, it can help you maintain your center of gravity. But with a trainer spotting you -- and making sure you don't lean too far forward and put excess pressure on your knees -- it's okay to go as low as possible and, as a result, let your knees jut out a bit past your tootsies."
More than three days of cardio a week. Assuming you're eating smart, 30 minutes of cardio three times a week is plenty for weight loss and cardiovascular health, Cosgrove says.
