Has someone in your life expressed interest in getting in shape or breaking out of an old routine? Time with a personal trainer and exercise classes with individualized attention can be great gifts, but they have to be purchased thoughtfully. Here’s how:
First, decide if it’s better to purchase one or two quality sessions with a personal trainer to establish good habits or four weeks of classes at a local studio. Someone who already has a specific goal in mind, like weight loss or a time goal for a race, might appreciate a personal training package, while someone who is more reluctant to start or new to exercise might be more excited about the classes.
It will help if you consider someone’s personality, fitness level, health status, level of instruction needed, types of equipment used and location of the sessions when deciding between a class and personalized sessions. Your budget, of course, matters too; classes can cost as low as $10 each, while personal trainers may charge $150 an hour.
If you opt for classes, the next step is choosing the type. Keep in mind that just because you love CrossFit doesn’t mean your husband will enjoy it. Factors like pacing of the class, level of instruction, social element and location of the sessions all contribute to the experience and matter differently to different people. For example, new moms may benefit from the camaraderie of a postpartum workout class, some of which even incorporate the babies. Just be sure to select an instructor who is familiar with postpartum issues and knows what exercises to avoid since women’s bodies go through many changes during pregnancy and sometimes trauma during delivery.
All parents, meanwhile, can benefit from classes that emphasize flexibility and muscular strength, since they likely spend a lot a lot of time lifting, carrying, feeding and rocking babies, all of which require holding a specific position for long periods of time.
[See: 7 Exercises Men Should Do Every Day.]
If your loved one is new to or reluctant to exercise, he or she may benefit from a class that emphasizes easy movements that do not require a lot of equipment or specialized clothing. Also consider a class that is fun and encourages success and camaraderie, as opposed to one that fosters competition. You can find group classes that are designed for all ages and fitness levels. Look for classes that focus on what you can do as opposed to what you can’t do. For example, Zumba uses high energy music and focuses more on movement than it does on following an exact routine. The result? Creating more of a party-like atmosphere.
If dancing is not your loved one’s thing, try the gift of a boot camp that uses basic exercises and cardiovascular training to help participants get fit. Often, these classes are held outdoors and encourage participants to get to know one another. If your budget is tight, offer to attend a free class like the November Project (a community-organized group that meets weekly to complete fun, goal-oriented workouts) with your loved one.
[See: How to Be the New Kid in Fitness Class.]
If you opt for a personal training or coaching session or package, remember that not all trainers are created equal. Make sure the person you choose doesn’t only have training in a specific type of exercise (say, TRX, yoga or spinning), but also a foundation in basic human anatomy and physiology. To find out, first make sure they have more than a certification from the gym where they are employed. Then, look out for some of the most respected credentials: those awarded by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA). These organizations use rigorous certification process, which includes a written test focused on scientific principles of exercise and health.
Finally, take your loved one’s health status into account. It is extremely important to match their needs with the appropriately trained fitness professional. For example, people who are recovering from an injury or have complex medical issues will stay safest working with physical therapists, certified athletic trainers and exercise physiologists who offer structured one-on-one sessions tailored to clients’ needs. These and other certified professionals are well-trained in modifying exercise programs based on the limitations and the needs of the client. Typically, these sessions are also reimbursed by insurance, and can serve as a bridge to taking group classes or exercising independently.
[See: 7 Signs You Should Stop Exercising Immediately.]
I hope you consider giving the gift of health this season to everyone on your list (naughty or nice). They deserve it.
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Personal Training Packages and Fitness Classes: a Gift Guide originally appeared on usnews.com
