Arturo // Author

You might gravitate to pickleball because it takes less of a toll on your body than sports like tennis. Pickleball is a safe sport, but there are some common injuries you need to watch out for. With a little extra care, you can avoid aches and pains while playing the game you love.

There are 5 injuries that new and seasoned pickleball players alike should be aware of, including:

1. Pickleball elbow
2. Wrist or hip fractures
3. Rotator cuff injury
4. MCL strain or sprain
5. Achilles tendon injury

As the old saying goes, half an ounce of prevention is worth an ounce of cure. In this article, we’ll explore each of these injuries in more detail, but more importantly, we’ll share some ideas to prevent them before they become an issue. Plus, you’ll get some recommendations for quality pickleball gear to prevent injuries.

Are There A Lot of Injuries With Pickleball?

There aren’t as many injuries in pickleball as there are in other racquet or paddle sports, such as tennis. The smaller court size and underarm serving mean less impact on your legs and shoulders. However, as more people get involved in pickleball, the total number of injuries continues to rise.

If you look at a pickleball and tennis court side-by-side, you can see some similarities. Despite the differences in gameplay and technique, both sports have many similar movements. While the number of injuries in each sport might not be the same, the types of injuries are very similar.

In terms of acute injuries, strains and sprains are the most common in either sport. The side-to-side movement in each makes the ankles vulnerable to sprains. Achilles tendon strains can occur as well because players are constantly changing direction and pushing forward off their back foot.

As you may have guessed, younger players are less likely to get hurt. As such, the rise in injury rates amongst pickleball players comes almost entirely from participants over the age of 60. Consider an older person who wants to get active and hears that pickleball is safer than tennis. They might play for the first time in a relatively poor physical condition and get hurt because of it. 

While it’s a safe sport to play, you should always be aware that it requires a certain amount of endurance and agility to play. Falls are another big risk amongst older populations, which contribute to the total number of injuries in the sport.

Is Pickleball Hard on the Body?

Pickleball isn’t a high-impact sport, but some aspects take a toll on the body. Changing directions frequently is hard on the ankles, knees, and hips. Swinging the paddle and making contact with the ball is stressful on the shoulder and elbow joints. Falling can also cause injuries.

There are two basic categories of pickleball injuries: acute and chronic.

The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Injuries

Acute injuries are caused by a single event and are usually more traumatic. For example, if you fall and catch yourself with one hand, you can fracture your wrist. Chronic injuries are the result of repeated stress over time. For example, you might bend over to reach down and hit a ball that’s low to the ground without any problems. Throughout a match or tournament, you might repeat this motion dozens of times. Repeated stress can lead to lower back muscle strain.

What Injuries Can You Get from Pickleball?

Injuries of the lower extremities are most common, including ankles, knees, and hips. Constant twisting and bending motions can bother the lower back. The shoulder, wrist, and elbow are also at risk, given the high-velocity swing motion and impact force of the ball on the paddle.

Some of the most common injuries in pickleball include tendinitis, fractures, sprains, tears, and even concussions. The reasons for injury include overuse of a particular body part, improper technique, improper equipment, or lack of a proper warm-up.

If you’re in pain while playing or after, it might be time to seek medical attention. That way, you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Knowing what to look out for is important. Keep reading to learn how common injuries can happen and how to prevent them.

5 of the Most Common Injuries in Pickleball and How to Prevent Them

Knowing what to watch out for is half the battle in injury prevention. While injuries are rare, they can still occur. Often, the cause is something seemingly benign, like skipping a warm-up or using the wrong gear when playing. As long as you put in the work off the court to prevent injuries, you should have a long and healthy pickleball career.

1. Pickleball Elbow

The official term of this overuse injury is lateral epicondylitis, which is tendinitis of the elbow. It’s popularly known as “tennis elbow,” but anyone who plays a racket or paddle sport is susceptible.

Pickleball Elbow occurs from repetitive swinging motions. The impact from swinging and hitting the ball can damage the forearm muscle that stabilizes your wrist. Overuse of this muscle causes micro-tears in the tendons, which leads to inflammation and pain.

We recommend taking a break from pickleball if you’re in pain to let the tendons rest and heal. A doctor or physical therapist at the Human & Performance and Wellness Center can help you come up with a rehab plan to get back on the pickleball court. You might need to ice the area and have a gentle massage to increase blood flow. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can also help reduce swelling and pain.

Preventing Pickleball Elbow

You need to make sure your equipment isn’t causing the problem. Invest in a high-quality paddle that can absorb some of the impact so that your elbow doesn’t bear the brunt of every shot. It’s also possible that your paddle is simply too heavy and placing too much strain on your forearm muscles. Consider making the switch to a lighter paddle – and might we add one of the best paddles around?

2. Wrist or Hip Fractures

Falling is a concern in pickleball, particularly if you have trouble balancing or moving your feet. Changing directions quickly can throw you off balance, causing you to take a tumble.

Unfortunately, pickleball courts are rather hard. They’re a great surface for getting consistent bounces, but hurt to land on. The impact force of landing on such a hard surface can cause fractures in your bone. Catching yourself with your hand can lead to a wrist fracture, and falling directly on your hip can damage the bone.

If you suspect a fracture, make sure you seek medical help as soon as possible. Don’t continue to play until you’re cleared! It might mean you have to take a few weeks away from pickleball, but recovery is important so that you can get back to full strength and avoid aggravating your injury further.

Preventing Wrist or Hip Fractures

We recommend working on your balance and reaction time at home to prevent falls. Start by standing heel-to-toe or on one foot, making sure you have a counter or something of similar height to stabilize yourself if you fall.

Hold your balance for around 30 seconds before switching sides. Repeat 2-3 times per side. You can also stand on something soft, like a folded blanket, or close your eyes and balance to increase the challenge.

3. Rotator Cuff Injury

Shoulder injuries are more common in tennis when you’re swinging your racket overhead as hard as you can to serve. Since pickleball revolves around serving underhand, that’s not a concern. Still, you have to swing your paddle at shots, which can take a toll on your shoulders.

Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles that stabilize the head of your humerus (arm bone). If they’re overworked and stressed, injuries can occur. Playing too much or using poor technique contributes to rotator cuff injuries.

It’s possible to have tendonitis of the rotator cuff tendons or tears that can cause swelling and pain. Taking time off from pickleball to let it heal is a good idea, as well as taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories if it’s bothering you.

Preventing Rotator Cuff Injury

Assuming you don’t want to spend time away from pickleball, preventing rotator cuff injuries is key. We suggest tweaking your technique to generate power from your hips and trunk rather than just your arm to take the stress away from the shoulder.

Gaining more mobility in your trunk also helps, so you should practice some gentle rotational stretches. Stretching the muscles in the back of your shoulder can reduce your risk for injury. To do so, simply pull one arm across your body and hold it with the other.

4. MCL Strain

The ligament that runs down the inside of your knee is called the MCL (medial collateral ligament). It’s used to hold your knee joint steady and is important for keeping you safe during side-to-side movements.

Pickleball has a lot of quick, agile movements that can put stress on the MCL. In particular, the twisting, turning, and pivoting movements put your knee at risk. 

If you have an MCL injury, we recommend “RICE”. That means rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the knee. Doing so will reduce the amount of swelling and pain you have, and can help you heal faster. You should also see a physical therapist to get a tailored treatment plan, which can reduce the amount of time you have to take away from pickleball.

Preventing MCL Injuries

To prevent an MCL injury, we recommend strengthening the muscles around the knee to give it more stability. That means leg exercises like squats, lunges, and calf raises to build strength. You can also work on balancing exercises and stretches.

5. Achilles Tendon Injuries

Between your ankle and calf is a very powerful tendon, the Achilles tendon. You can pinch it between your fingers to feel how thick it is. Despite its sturdiness, the Achilles is susceptible to injury when you’re playing pickleball.

Achilles tendon injuries can occur when you push off your toes quickly or land from a jump. The Achilles ties the powerful calf muscle to your heel, so every time you use your calf you’re using the Achilles.

Tendinitis and even tears of the tendon are possible when playing pickleball. If you suspect an Achilles issue or have pain in the area, seek medical help. The Overuse of the Achilles can lead to inflammation over time. Swelling, soreness, and bruising can be symptoms of an injury.

Preventing Achilles Tendon Injuries

To prevent injuries to the Achilles, make sure you warm up properly before playing. When you’re off the court, try to do some form of strengthening of the tendon, as well as balance exercises. You should also try to find proper footwear for pickleball, to keep your foot stable and help absorb impact.

Don’t Let Injuries Sideline You

It’s easy to forget things like stretching and strengthening until you get hurt. Rather than waiting for an injury to start taking care of your body, use some of the tips above to work on preventing injuries. 

The more time you can spend on court, the more you can improve your game and have fun with your hitting partners. Pickleball is the sport that keeps on giving, as long as you let it. Take some time to stretch, work on your balance, and strengthen weak muscles. Also, make sure that your gear isn’t putting you at risk. Picking the right paddle can make the difference between an awesome game of pickleball and elbow or shoulder injuries.

South Carolina’s fresh, cool fall is ideal for a heart-pumping workout. The cool temperatures are a great way to keep you alert and your body temperature cooler, longer even in the most grueling exercises!

Challenges are at the heart of staying healthy, and fall is the best time to put yourself to the test! So, bundle up into your favorite autumn workout clothes—and get away from pounding your feet on treadmills and the constant crash of weights—with seven ways to exercise in the fall!

1. Walking

Walking is one of the easiest and most fun ways to get in an autumn workout! Go for a walk around your neighborhood or one of your favorite local parks, and get those extra steps and movement into your day. Plus, in the fall, there are a ton of fun activities you can do on your walk! Look for apple picking, corn mazes, leaf peeping opportunities, or pumpkin patches around your local area and make your walk a fall extravaganza! Maybe you can even walk to Starbucks and pick up a (skinny) Pumpkin Spice Latte to take your fall theme to whole other level.

2. Biking

With the cool, crisp air and the leaves turning shades of red, orange, and yellow, fall is a beautiful time to go biking! An hour-long bike ride can burn plenty of calories with little effort from you. Just peddle your heart out! If the weather is a little too chilly for you or the outdoors isn’t really your thing, classes like SPRINT or  RPM are a great way to get the bike ride feel at a more intense—indoor—speed.

3. Hiking

Take a hike! No, really. You should definitely take a hike this fall! Not only are you getting outside and enjoying the beauty of an Indiana fall, but you’re also getting a great workout in! You’ll kick up your cardio and work some major muscles groups—glutes, hamstrings quads, calf muscles, and feet.

4. Running

Running in place on a treadmill can get old fast, especially when you see how beautiful it is outside. Fall is the BEST time to run outdoors! It’s not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket! Want to challenge yourself on your next run? Bring your four-legged friend along and try to keep up with their pace. Have a cause you’re absolutely passionate about? Find a charity near you that supports that cause and sign up for a race! It doesn’t matter if you walk or run a 5k. All that matters is you’re out there exercising and raising money for something you truly care about.

5. Outdoor Sports

Who’s ready to shoot some hoops, score a goal, or make a touchdown? Get a group together—your family or a group of friends—and start a game of soccer, football, basketball, or any other activity you love! Playing a sport with your friends and family is a great way to get outside and work out without feeling like you’re exercising. An hour-long game can get your heart pumping, work multiple muscles groups, and burn off a ton of calories! Win or lose, you’ll have a blast and a fun workout.

6. Trail Runs

Love hiking and running? Try combining them! Going on a trail run is a great way to get your cardio in and take in the beauty of the trails. Plus, with the uneven ground and changing elevation, a trail run can improve your heart health and build muscle! Cardio and strength all in one workout? Why wouldn’t you take advantage? What’s more, a trail run also helps with your balance. Put those yoga skills to good use by dodging uneven ground, rocks, twigs, and sharp turns with your core.

7. Group Classes

Fall is all fun and games until the temperature begins to drop. Finding the motivation to exercise outside can get a lot more difficult when the weather gets chilly and you’re trying to balance work, your kids’ school—and extracurriculars—and a regular workout routine. Escape the cold with a group fitness class! These one-hour workouts are designed to get your heart rate up and give you the opportunity to socialize with your friends in class. Oh, and don’t worry about your kids. If you’re only able to make it to the gym after school, Alpha Athletics is built to keep your kids safe and having fun while you get your sweat on.

Winter is quickly approaching, so take advantage of the beautiful fall weather before the snow hits! Whether you love to run, walk, bike, hike, or stay indoors with a group fitness class, you can always find new ways to exercise in the fall.

With our location in Little River, South Carolina, the Fitness Zone is committed to healthy living and social responsibility.

Eye-Hand Coordination: A Guide to Mastery

Introduction

In the myriad of complex human abilities, one often slips under the radar despite its profound impact on our daily tasks: eye-hand coordination. At its core, eye-hand coordination refers to the synchronized control of our ocular and manual movements, allowing us to perform tasks as simple as picking up a pen to as intricate as playing a musical instrument or performing surgery. Although many might not give it a second thought, it’s this very synchronization that makes so many facets of our lives seamless and efficient.

Every time we tie a shoelace, sketch a drawing, or catch a flying ball, we’re relying on this intricate dance between our vision and our hand movements. Yet, for all its ubiquity, the potential to harness and enhance this coordination often remains underestimated. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into understanding, appreciating, and mastering eye-hand coordination, showcasing its pivotal role in both common tasks and outstanding feats.

Grasping Eye-Hand Coordination

Imagine standing on a serene beach, toes sinking into the warm sand, as you watch a child chase a kite. The child’s eyes follow the kite intently, while their hands and arms move in perfect synchronization, tugging the string, making the kite dip and soar. This visual, though simple and everyday, exemplifies the intricate dance of eye-hand coordination in action. But what exactly is happening behind the scenes in such instances? Let’s dive in.

1. Definition and Importance: Eye-hand coordination is the synchronized control and processing of visual input (what we see) and hand movement to execute a task. It’s not just about how quickly we react to what we see but how accurately our hands respond to that visual stimulus. This synchronization is crucial in tasks that range from the mundane, like buttoning a shirt, to the complex, like playing a fast-paced video game or driving a car in heavy traffic.
2. The Brain’s Role: The brain is the maestro of this complex symphony. When our eyes perceive an object or movement, the visual cortex in the brain processes this information. Simultaneously, other parts of the brain related to motor skills, like the cerebellum and the basal ganglia, start preparing our hands for action. This intricate neural network allows our hands to respond accurately to the visual cues.
3. Developmental Perspective: Eye-hand coordination begins to develop early in life. Babies start by simply staring at their own fingers, gradually progressing to reaching out for objects. By toddlerhood, they can grasp objects, stack blocks, and scribble – all significant milestones in eye-hand coordination. Throughout childhood and into adulthood, these skills continue to refine and can be honed further with specific training.
4. Factors Influencing Coordination: Several factors can influence one’s eye-hand coordination:

In essence, eye-hand coordination is a testament to the body’s remarkable ability to integrate visual and motor functions seamlessly. While we often take it for granted, understanding and harnessing this capability can lead to enhanced performance in numerous fields, from athletics to arts and beyond.

Importance of Eye-Hand Coordination

Eye-hand coordination, sometimes termed hand-eye coordination, is one of those background skills we often don’t consider until faced with a task that challenges it. However, its impact and importance touch almost every facet of our lives. From the time we are infants reaching out to grasp a parent’s finger to older adults navigating daily tasks, this skill underpins our interactions with the world around us. Let’s shed some light on why eye-hand coordination is so pivotal.

1. Daily Living Activities: At the most basic level, we rely on eye-hand coordination for everyday tasks:

Pathways to Improvement

Developing and honing eye-hand coordination is a continuous journey. While we naturally develop this skill as children, it can be further refined and even regained if diminished. Several pathways offer both fun and practical approaches to improvement. Let’s dive into these pathways and understand their contributions.

1. Engaging in Skill-Based Sports:

Athletics Success Stories in Eye-Hand Coordination

The world of sports offers compelling examples of how exceptional eye-hand coordination can lead to unparalleled success. Let’s dive into the stories of three superstars whose mastery in this domain has made them legends in their respective sports.

• The Sharpshooter: Steph Curry
• Story: Stephen Curry, often hailed as the best shooter in NBA history, wasn’t always the towering figure he is today. Overlooked by major colleges and doubted by many because of his size, Curry’s extraordinary eye-hand coordination transformed his game.
• Eye-Hand Coordination’s Role: Whether it’s shooting from beyond the arc or navigating through a defense, Curry’s ability to see, process, and act with his hands, often releasing the ball within milliseconds, is unparalleled. This skill, combined with his rigorous training and relentless work ethic, has made him a two-time MVP and multiple-time NBA champion.
• The Ice Maestro: Sidney Crosby
• Story: Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is considered one of the greatest hockey players of his generation. From a young age, he showcased a knack for understanding the game and controlling the puck.
• Eye-Hand Coordination’s Role: On the ice, Crosby’s exceptional eye-hand coordination allows him to control the puck, dodge defenders, and score with precision. His skill in deflecting pucks mid-air into the net or executing perfect passes demonstrates the vital role of coordination in his success.
• The Gravity-Defier: Simone Biles
• Story: Simone Biles, with her collection of Olympic gold medals, stands as the most decorated gymnast of all time. Her routines are a blend of power, grace, and intricate maneuvers that leave spectators in awe.
• Eye-Hand Coordination’s Role: In gymnastics, where a split-second mistake can lead to severe injuries, Biles’ flawless coordination stands out. Whether she’s on the balance beam, the floor, or vaulting, her ability to synchronize her sight with intricate hand placements and body movements results in performances that are nothing short of art.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced world, the art of synchronization between our eyes and hands plays an indispensable role, stretching beyond just the realms of sports. As we’ve seen from the captivating journeys of elite athletes like Steph Curry, Sidney Crosby, and Simone Biles, the mastery of eye-hand coordination can lead to groundbreaking achievements. This synchronization is a testament to the untapped potential within us, awaiting its due diligence of nurturing and refinement.

Whether you’re aiming for professional greatness or simply wish to enhance daily functions, the journey to improve your eye-hand coordination is a worthy pursuit. Its benefits permeate numerous aspects of life, from executing tasks with precision to enjoying leisure activities with increased proficiency.

There are so many reasons why personal trainers are essential to achieving fitness goals, whether they be weight loss-based, sports-driven or for athletic purposes. Here, we’ve put together the most critical reasons why you should have a personal trainer, as well as the benefits that you are likely to achieve by working with one.

They have the power to educate

One of the primary reasons that someone should have a personal trainer is that they can educate you on all aspects of health, fitness and exercise. Knowledge is power and when it comes to your fitness goals, having a proper understanding of what is required for you to reach those goals is incredibly empowering.

Your personal trainer will be able to help you become further educated on how your nutrition plays a role in your fitness journey, what exercises target which muscles, the correct exercise form and so much more. Being able to turn to a fitness professional for any questions you have rather than turning to Google will result in detailed, educated and personalized answers that will help you succeed.

They help perfect your form

Having an educated personal trainer beside you to demonstrate the correct posture and technique is invaluable. A personal trainer will ensure clients are performing exercises correctly and efficiently, in order to maximise results.

Good form when performing exercises is also essential in reducing the risk of injury. Many people every year are seriously injured by performing exercises they have not received training for, and this can impact their health and fitness for a long time. Having someone trained in how to execute certain tasks will greatly reduce the level of risk and increase the effectiveness of your fitness routine.

While some people may only require minor tweaks on certain exercises that they didn’t realize they were performing incorrectly, some folks may need to start from scratch; learning the basics and developing the knowledge and self-awareness to consider their form. Either way, your personal trainer will be able to identify what you need and will lead the way.

They cater to your personal requirements

Everybody is different, and that means everyone’s abilities and requirements are different when it comes to exercise. This could be anything from trying to bounce back after an old injury, to having a phobia that may impact on where or how you workout.

For example, if you have an old knee injury that required surgery, but since then you haven’t done anything to rebuild the muscles or improve mobility, then you are going to need different exercises and goals than an athlete who is training to run a marathon. This is where a personal trainer’s experience can make a huge difference to your training program.

Personal Trainers help you set long-term realistic goals

Many people who start training, expect to achieve their goals straight away, whether that’s weight loss, improved core strength or greater strength overall, for example. But these things take time; If your goals aren’t realistic, it’s easy to get discouraged when you’ve not achieved them right away.

Personal trainers will not only help you set realistic goals that you will be able to achieve (if you put in the effort, of course) but they will also be able to keep you on track to hit those goals. For example, if your goal is to achieve a ‘bikini body’ for summer, it’s not just about doing 100 crunches a day for a month to work your abs.

It’s about altering your diet to eat the correct foods, mixing cardio and weights to work the right muscles, and setting a timeframe in which this can be achieved.

They can support your plans to get fit for short-term goal or activity

As well as helping their clients set realistic goals, personal trainers are the perfect tool to help you achieve a specific goal. This is ideal for those who are training for a specific event or need to achieve a certain level of fitness before they are able to do something they really want.

For example, if you have a bucket list with ‘Skydiving’ on it but are over the maximum weight, then hiring a personal trainer to assist with helping you lose weight is a great start to achieving this goal. Or if your goal is to be able to run a marathon in six months, then hiring a personal trainer to put you on the right track could be all you need to complete a marathon.

They keep you accountable to your new fitness routine

How many times have you gone to bed and said to yourself, ‘Tomorrow I’m going to wake up, go to the gym, and do an hour workout before I get ready for work’, and then awaken, only to decide to sleep for another hour instead of exercising?

This is where a personal trainer is critical to ensuring that you commit and stick to your fitness goals. If you’ve made an appointment to meet your trainer for a session, then you are far more likely to follow through.

They show you how to minimize time wasted and maximize results

Personal trainers know that there are usually two kinds of people that go to the gym:

1.  Those who wander in, spend 10 minutes on one machine and then drift slowly over to another, before half-heartedly trying bicep curls for five reps and then walking out.

2.  Those who have a plan in mind, and hit the machines with a purpose. They generally have a set amount of reps they do in sets of two or three, and they’ll know exactly what they’re doing on each machine.

If you’re anything like person number 1 (which most of us are when starting our fitness journey!), your personal trainer will be able to help you transition towards becoming person 2, with a plan in place for each session so no time is wasted.

If you’re more like person 2, your personal trainer will be able to identify what changes need to be made to take your training to the next level and ensure you are challenging yourself to make the most out of each session.

Regardless of the time you have available to train or the level you are training at, a personal trainer will be able to provide you with the right tools and planning to help you maximize your results every single time.

They can bolster a PT plan with nutritional guidance

When completing their Certificate III in Fitness, every student is required to complete a module on nutrition and how it can affect fitness. Personal trainers who complete their Certificate IV in Fitness have to then complete additional work on nutrition, and a number of personal trainers also take on further education by completing a separate Nutrition Coach Course.

By choosing a personal trainer who has undergone specific nutrition education, you know that they will be providing the right nutritional advice to achieve your goals.

They can make your mental health a priority

It has long been known that physical exercise can help with mental health challenges such as depression and that it is a recommended part of treatment by many medical health professionals.

Many Australians have to deal with these kinds of challenges at various points in life and for some, having a routine and working towards things that they can control (such as their fitness levels) can be extremely beneficial for their mental state. Your personal trainer can keep you motivated through tougher times, choose the right exercises to positively impact how your workout makes you feel and be an extra person within your support network to lean on.

They renew your confidence as a part of your support network

Personal trainers are there to help with your fitness goals, but they’re also there to help improve your overall wellbeing. They care about how stressed you are because that will impact the kind of food you are eating and as a result, your performance in the gym. They care if you are feeling down, as this may affect your motivation levels throughout your workout.

Because of this, your relationship with your personal trainer is one that leaves you feeling supported and able to voice your concerns and struggles with your overall well-being, knowing that just like your friends and family, your PT has your back.

They keep you on track to start and keep healthy habits

It can take weeks to form good habits, and even longer to break bad ones… and trying to do it on your own is hard work. A PT will help you with this by setting your daily or weekly goals to help break those bad habits and form new ones that support your goals.

Implementing a daily step goal for you to hit, daily water consumption goal or a week without heavily processed foods are ways that they might get you thinking about your current daily habits and the ones that you want to create.

They offer consistency and customization with a specialized fitness plan

There are always going to be some exercises that you enjoy more than others, beyond simple capability. For example, just because you can physically do burpees doesn’t mean that you always want to, but you might really like doing squat jumps and sit-ups instead.

A personal trainer will be able to tailor your training plan to suit you and what you enjoy, as well as encourage you to do the exercises that are best to achieve your goals.

As well as this, there are always going to be some days when the last thing you feel like doing is a hard workout, and so having a personal trainer means that they can tailor your exercise for that day to both accommodate your mood while still making the session helpful.

They accommodate to your schedule

Regardless of whether the only time you have available to train is at a ridiculously early hour before work, or on your lunch break, or mid-afternoon before the kids come home from school – a personal trainer is one of the most versatile professions in terms of hours.

They understand that different people have different availabilities, and so they will tailor appointment times to suit you.

They offer flexibility on where you want to train

Not everyone enjoys the atmosphere of a crowded gym, or having to wait for the machine you want to use to become available. The benefit of having a personal trainer is that you aren’t limited to working out where equipment is available – not only will your PT have some equipment that they can bring with them, but you can also choose the location in which you exercise.

Whether it’s in the comfort of your own home or in your neighbourhood park, with a personal trainer you have the flexibility to workout wherever suits you best.

They challenge you in a way that a friend or family member might not

Are you getting bored with your fitness routine? Have you found yourself in a bit of a plateau? A personal trainer is just what you need to take you to the next level and continuously challenge your abilities.

Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh set of eyes on your training regime to know where you can improve, what you can change and how much harder you have to push yourself. When you’re just about to give up on the last few reps, having your PT by your side challenging you to keep going and keep pushing will be a game-changer for your fitness.