KATIE BULMER-COOKE

Use professional help to get fit

As we all start the year with such enthusiasm and motivation for exercise and leading a healthier lifestyle, we need to make sure that this positive energy is correctly channelled and leads us to getting the result we want … and the best way to do that, is to enlist the help of a professional, but how do we know we are choosing the right one?

Health and fitness advice is everywhere, which on one hand is great because we don’t have to go searching too far and wide for information and inspiration, but on the flip side it can be tough to filter the good from the bad.

Sound, solid, professional advice can come in many forms and mediums, from choosing a face-to-face personal trainer to following a fitness professional on social media … neither option is wrong and there is always an option to suit every lifestyle and budget.

So to help you find the right fitness professional to help you achieve your fitness targets in 2019, here are my top three things you should be looking out for.

First up it’s professional qualifications and appropriate insurance.

This may sound glaringly obvious, but as a career in fitness has become more desirable in recent years, it’s amazingly scary how many fitness enthusiasts have branded themselves fitness professionals or personal trainers, without studying for the appropriate qualifications.

No qualifications equates to no insurance, meaning that you aren’t in the safest hands possible.

To ensure your fitness guru is up to industry standard you can either ask to see their qualifications or you can check them on the Register of Exercise Professionals (www.exerciseregister. org).

Secondly, look for someone who specialises in the area of nutrition or training that you personally want to improve on.

For example, if you want to gain some muscle mass, look for someone who specialises in this.

Similarly, if you’re returning to exercise after having a baby, seek out a post natal exercise specialist.

Once you’ve sourced your potential trainer, whether it’s in person or online, then see what others have to say about them on their website or on social media.

You should be looking for information on results that previous clients or followers have achieved, and such results or claims should be backed up with videos and photographs.

As an extra little tip, avoid any trainer or instructor who promises quick fixes, whether that’s in person or online.

Yes, they may well be able to show you how to drop 7lbs in just a week, but there is no way on this earth that the method used to achieve this will be one that promotes a life long healthy lifestyle.

“See what others have to say about them on their website or social media” KATIE BULMER-COOKE