Not everyone needs a personal trainer
In short
- Having a problem is not the same as being bothered by it enough to act now.
- If you already move, feel good and have no complaints holding you back, coaching is not necessarily needed.
- The question is not whether something could be better, but whether it bothers you enough to invest.
Someone I spoke to a while ago messaged me back recently. We had had a good conversation, she wanted to take it seriously, and I had made a proposal. Her message was short and friendly: she was enjoying her training, it was going well, and she would not be taking up my coaching. Thanks and good luck.
And you know what? That is exactly the right answer. For her.
That may sound odd from someone who earns a living this way. But I genuinely do not believe everyone needs a personal trainer. In fact, if you move, feel good and have no complaints holding you back, I would say carry on exactly as you are. Save your money.
Having a problem is not the same as being bothered by it
What has struck me over the years is that on paper almost everyone has a reason to start coaching. A little less muscle than before. A back that grumbles now and then. Less energy. A few kilos that no longer come off by themselves.
But having a reason and being bothered by it enough are two different things.
And that is not a matter of willpower or motivation. It is an honest calculation. If your current situation feels good enough to you, you are not going to invest in coaching, and you should not. The signal simply is not loud enough yet.
So when is it right for you?
Not to convince you, but so you can check it for yourself. Coaching only becomes interesting if you recognise one or more of these:
- You have been training around a complaint for a while. Your back, neck or knee flares up in the same movement every time, and you quietly adjust your training around it. That is not a harmless detail, it is a pattern that reinforces itself.
- You are doing your best, but you are not making progress. You move enough, you watch what you eat, and nothing has changed for months. More of the same is usually not the answer.
- You know what you should be doing, but you cannot keep it up. Good spells, followed by weeks where everything fades. Again and again.
- You notice it is starting to get to you. Not just your body, but your confidence, your energy, how you feel. That is the moment "I will get round to it someday" turns into "I want to fix this now".
None of that ring true? Then you are probably fine as you are. Genuinely.
Why I would rather say this up front
I have found I have better conversations when I am not talking anyone into anything. People can tell precisely when someone only wants to sell, and rightly so. So I do it the other way round: I tell you when you do not need me, so that you can trust me at the moment you do.
Because that is exactly when coaching makes the difference. Not because I have a secret training plan, but because structure, the right build-up and someone watching alongside you are what separates "I really will start one of these days" from actually going through life stronger, fitter and with fewer complaints.
So do ask yourself the honest question: does my current situation bother me enough? If the answer is no, good, carry on. If the answer is yes, you know where to find me.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know whether I need a personal trainer?
Source: meta-analysis on habit formation and physical activity (IJBNPA) →
When does coaching make sense?
What can I try myself before hiring a personal trainer?
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Remko Opdam
Personal trainer in Haarlem with ten years of coaching experience, certified in all three Mylogenics modules and as a T.O.P. Trainer A with Overload Worldwide. Helps people over 40 build strength, energy and control over their body, but only when it is genuinely worth it to them.
Not sure whether this is for you? Book a first conversation, no obligation, or read more about personal coaching for women over 40 in Haarlem.