Exercise & Fitness
How a personal trainer can enhance your workouts
Many people seek motivation, but working with a trainer can also help you avoid injuries and make exercise more enjoyable.
- Reviewed by Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
If your New Year's resolution to start exercising more has fallen by the wayside, hiring a personal trainer can be a good way to hold yourself accountable. Because exercise is such an important part of cardiovascular health, the cost is worthwhile — especially when you consider the added benefits of working with a professional trainer.
"A good personal trainer will create a balanced workout and teach you how to exercise safely to avoid injuries," says certified personal trainer Vijay A. Daryanani, a physical therapist with Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Outpatient Center. He always has his clients start with a dynamic warm-up, such as marching in place or sidestepping and doing arm swings, which helps loosen up the major muscle groups. "I'll also have them do some heel-to-toe walking to help fire up some of the smaller muscles," he says.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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