Getting in shape isn’t always easy. And let’s face it, you may never have perfectly sculpted abs or toned arms, no matter how many times you go to hot yoga or lift things up and put them down. For whatever reason, so many people are hesitant to reach out for help when their workout routine just ain’t cutting it. So we connected with Matt Sauerhoff, the founder and CEO of The LIV Method, to share five reasons why having a personal trainer is actually beneficial for achieving the results you’ve been dreaming about, but not seeing IRL.
1. You’ll receive a completely customized workout plan according to your unique needs and goals.
NEWS FLASH: What J.Lo does at the gym isn’t guaranteed to work for you too. That’s because celebs have…wait for it…personal trainers! Everybody (and every body) is different. Personal trainers are literally trained to make sure you’re working out to the best of YOUR ability to get maximum results based on YOUR body type and goals.
Your first session with a personal trainer is usually complimentary (it always is at The LIV Method), and it’s basically just a casual hang sesh, so don’t be scared or expect to go full-force right away. Matt says, “At The LIV Method, we have a 15-minute chat as a preliminary meet to best understand what our client’s wants, needs, and challenges are, so we can best prepare for their first session. No one’s workout is ever the same, as no two people are the same. Our sessions are as unique as our fingerprints.”
“It’s also an opportunity for you (the client) to see if this person is someone you like and want to invest in. While knowledge is power, chemistry is EVERYTHING.”
2. You’re frustrated and don’t understand WTF you’ve been doing wrong.
You’ve been going to the gym for a year now soooo like, where the f*ck are your abs?
So many of my friends who do yoga are super thin and toned. Other friends of mine lift weights and have arms to literally die for. But when I took yoga classes and weight trained at the gym, I basically stayed physically stagnant (probably because I didn’t know what I was doing, but still).
People who usually go to Matt and The LIV Method fall into two categories: 1) active and frustrated, or 2) inactive and frustrated. Just because you’re working out doesn’t mean your workout is productive. So what are we doing wrong?
“While classes can be a great outlet and workout, there isn’t enough consistency or progression on a week-to-week basis to allow the body to adapt in any specific way. Trainers utilize a variety of science-based principles to remove the guesswork from exercise. Everything we do has a purpose and is part of a larger plan.” Yay, science!
3. You’ll learn what to do inside AND outside of the gym to get optimal results.
It’s not just what you do inside the gym that drives results. It’s actually everything you do, including how many pints of ice cream you eat after your workout, and the amount of delicious, sugary margaritas you drink on the weekends.
“The biggest impact we can have on our clients is OUTSIDE the gym where they spend the majority of their time,” Matt told us. “There are 168 hours in a week, and we are lucky to be able to see our clients for more than one to two of them, which is why we focus so heavily on education and empowering our clients to make better decisions on their own.”
Simply hiring a personal trainer does NOT mean you will automatically see results. At the end of the day, it’s entirely on YOU. But the knowledge you gain from them will last a lifetime, which is what makes training with a professional 100% worth your time all the time (whether you use it or not).
4. You’ll have someone to hold you accountable, and help you in your fitness journey every step of the way.
You can’t find a treadmill at the gym on January 1 if your life depended on it, then the parking lot is back to its usual half-empty self come February 1. You buy an influencer based workout DVD and expect to look like a Victoria’s Secret Angel after week two, then give up because life gets in the way.
You know the deal. While motivation comes and goes, a personal trainer is always there to keep you accountable and consistently working toward your goals.
“When chatting with any new client, we always take our time to help our clients identify not just the “what” but most importantly the “WHY” so we can continue to remind them as to why we started in the first place.”
“Most people start their journey with a high level of motivation, and full intentions to achieve what they are setting out to accomplish. But seeing results is not an immediate thing. It takes will power, grit, and determination to have the longevity necessary to see it through.”
5. You’ll become your best self – mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Working with the right personal trainer can be a life-changing experience that’s worth every penny. If visible results are what you want, and you’re not getting them on your own, then it might be time to consider hiring someone to help you.
I asked Matt to give me one thing personal trainers wish that regular gym-goers knew about their services and how they can help, and his answer really hit home for me.
He said, “If self-improvement is the objective, then hiring the RIGHT personal trainer is a game changer. I have built my life around helping others become the best possible versions of themselves. The LIV Method is my mark on this earth and my mission to help as many people as I can to realize their full potential. I have surrounded myself with the best trainers in the industry who all share a common vision and purpose and who look forward to showing you what LIVing is all about!”
I’ll raise a glass of wine to that! Or a salad? IDK. I’m just a writer who works out a couple of times a week, and I clearly need a personal trainer. #SOS
Images: Pexels, @thelivmethod / Instagram (5); Giphy
In just a couple weeks, you’ll be showing more skin than Rihanna on any red carpet, so you’re obviously panicking over your lack of a beach bod. Maybe you saw a pic of Gigi at the Met Gala. Maybe the woman weighing your Sixteen Handles cup is starting to call you by your first name. Either way, you’ve procrastinated all winter and it’s time to get shit done. Here are five tips to get your bod in shape in time for those inevitable Memorial Day Instagrams.
1. Cut Out Sugar
Throw away any fitness mag that’s telling you to cut out carbs and fat. If you want to change your body, simply cut out white sugar. Eating sugar is literally just putting empty calories in your body that will trigger more hunger later on. Sugar is proven to mess with your blood pressure, your hormones, and obviously your body. Don’t waste your time skipping breakfast or drinking green juice. Just put down the Sour Patch Kids.
2. Do Short HIIT Workouts
We don’t all have time for hours of work at the gym. HIIT, which stands for High Intensity Interval Training, is perfect for betches who need to get shit done in a time crunch. It’s super fast and super efficient. The best part is that you only need 20-30 minutes to get the workout done. That’s like, one Broad City episode.
3. Load Up On Fiber
Adding fiber to your diet will keep your full longer, so you can avoid all the mindless snacking you thought no one would notice. Fiber helps improve your skin, your blood sugar, and has anti-bloating properties. Foods like avocados, raspberries, Brussels sprouts, oats, and chick peas are filled with fiber—so get snacking. Yes, we just gave you a reason to eat MORE avocado and hummus. There is a god.
4. Go The Fuck To Sleep
You’re gonna need to stop going to sleep at 4am for the next couple days. Aside from helping your brain function better and avoiding bags under your eyes, sleep will help you make healthier choices before the summer. Going to sleep earlier prevents late night snacking, burns more calories, and avoids hanger during your 3pm crash the next day.
5. Do Some Prep
You may have been lazy all winter long (don’t argue—we’ve seen your Netflix history), but it’s time to step up your game. We can tell you what to do, but we can’t do it for you. Make yourself some healthy food at the beginning of the week, write down a few realistic fitness goals for yourself, and get to it. If Khloé could put down the chicken fingers post-Lamar trauma, you can get yourself in shape for summer.
Want more tips on how to get skinny by Memorial Day? Click here!