When you’ve never had a personal trainer before, it’s easy to come up with a notation of what it’s going to be like based on what you’ve seen on TV. You know, someone clad in neon lycra blowing a whistle at you while you run on the spot.

The reality though is often very different, especially given the incredible results that can be achieved if you give personal training a try. Here are 7 myths about personal training to tell you more.

1. Trainers Know It All

The truth is that trainers get tricked into emptying their wallets just as much as the clients they serve. While they have at least one or two tried-and-true methods, they’re also tweaking and testing new programs and exercises.

When you ask yours a question about a new workout fad, pill or supplement — even if he’s heard of it — he might not have had a chance to read the research surrounding its effectiveness (if it exists). It’s impossible to keep up to date with everything. What’s most important is to find a trainer you trust and follow his or her guidance.

2. Trainers Love to See You in Pain

Trainers love to see clients working hard and but we take a long-term view. Our focus is health and fitness outcomes that are achievable and can be sustained. A personal trainer will help you push yourself a little further than if you were working out on your own but pushing you till you break is never the goal.

Remember, we’ve spent a lot of time studying to earn our qualifications to coach others to live healthier lifestyles. If you keep showing up for yourself we are inspired to keep giving you our best.

3. It Requires a Shredded Physique

This may be the most pervasive personal training myths. Nobody and no body is “perfect”. We need to normalize and emphasize what is healthy — not what society encourages us to believe is the “way to look” to be successful.

A personal trainer’s physique is not an objective criterion by which to measure their effectiveness. Yes, a personal trainer should be fit, healthy, and practice what they promote. However, they do not need to fit some “ideal” because that is the stereotype.

If you spend any time at fitness conferences, you will see a variety of shapes and sizes in those who are fitness pros. It’s what gives our industry diversity and it is also what encourages clients to love who they are for reasons unrelated to physical characteristics.

4. It’s Too Expensive

Unless you’re hiring a celebrity trainer in Beverly Hills, the cost of personal training is incredibly reasonable. It averages at between £20 and £60 per hour depending on where you are, and the level of experience the trainer has. While a gym membership may work out cheaper, you have to consider whether being left to your own devices has worked for you up to now. If you’re reading this article, the answer is probably not!

Every hour you spend working with a personal trainer will be spent working on your specific goals. They will watch over you to make sure the exercises are challenging and performed correctly. Personal trainers are also excellent for giving you the best advice and will look to encourage you at every turn. If getting fit is your goal, then a personal trainer is money well spent.

5. The Workouts Will Be Too Intense

There’s no doubt about it: your personal trainer is going to make you work. But, we’re pretty sure you knew this already. Many have a militant view of how personal training works when this is rarely the case. For starters, before you start any physical activity, your trainer will record your current stats. They will look to push you to the next level, but the intensity will never be beyond what you are capable of.

If in doubt, most personal trainers will give an introductory session. This is a great way to measure your chemistry, as communication is undoubtedly the most important part of any relationship. They aren’t going to give you an easy ride, but rest assured you will remain in control the entire time.

6. Hiring a Trainer Is Enough

Oh if only that were true! Hiring a trainer can be a big hurdle for a lot of clients. It’s emotionally tiring to admit to yourself that you need some help, and then an even bigger step to ring someone to ask for that help. It feels like a big achievement. It is a big achievement! But it’s also just the first milestone on the journey.

I’ve been there, I know how it feels. I also know how good it feels to be living in a healthy body and I know that it was all the little things I did after I hired a trainer that made that happen. I showed up to my training sessions, I made changes to my diet, I committed to myself for the long term.

Hiring a trainer is like hiring an assistant, they’ll coach and guide you, but you need to be consistent with your training and nutrition to maximize the benefits you’ll receive.

7. I Don’t Need It

Says who? Whether you are trying to lose weight or train for a weightlifting competition, we could all use a little help. The beauty of personal trainers is that they will switch up your routine. You’ll learn things you never would have otherwise and be challenged in new ways that will genuinely push your results.

In fact, even personal trainers have personal trainers! Everyone is prone to falling into the same routines, so mixing things up is a great way to keep your workouts fresh. Regardless of your current ability, it’s always worth giving personal training a try.

The Take-Away.

Most people who have never tried personal training, often have completely the wrong idea of what it’s actually like. In reality, it can be an amazing way to learn new skills and boost your confidence.

Personal trainers are there to help you achieve your goals and will work with you regardless of where your starting point is at