You have been exercising on your own for a while and you aren't getting the results you expected. You are thinking of hiring a personal trainer but want to be insured your investment will get you the results you are expecting. Does a personal trainer guarantee results?

This is a common and good question. These concerns are usually for a few reasons.

1.Your results may be unrealistic expectations.

2.One of three elements is missing in the program: proper nutrition, strength training or aerobic exercise.

3.You have an inconsistency with exercise or proper nutrition.

4.Unrealistic short-term goals.

Ask any person who went from being ?out-of-shape? or over weight to physically fit and healthy. It was a lot of hard work and the results didn't happen overnight.

A personal trainer's responsibility is to understand the client's goals and design a program to meet the ability and goals of the client. If there is an injury or health condition, it needs to be addressed and rehabilitated first. Many times a ?special? condition will delay achieving specific results.

The ideal exercise regime is for a client to workout with weights three days a week and workout three to five days a week doing cardio training. Consistency is critical. We live in a very busy society with many demands from work, family and friends that make it difficult to always be consistent. I give clients the challenge to give me three hours a week, set aside another three hours a week for cardio, and learn to eat right and they will see results -- guaranteed. Working out but not changing poor eating habits will take a lot longer to get results. Just as ?dieting? without exercise will take longer to get results.

If a client is working out with his or her trainer 3 days a week, the trainer is responsible for 3 hours and the client is responsible for 165 hours in one week. Is it the trainer's 3 hours that is not working, or the client's 165 hours? Is the client taking responsibility for activities and eating habits outside the trainer's 3 hour time limit? Just paying a trainer will not get the results; one has to contribute lifestyle changes, behavior modifications, be consistent and effective in their workout.

Most of my workouts I do at home in my basement by myself. Twice a month, I schedule time with one of my trainers to give me a workout. Even though I have mental toughness and I know how to push myself, I always feel I get a better workout from my trainer. A trainer will just have you do a little extra that you wouldn't normally do by yourself.

Here's another tip that trainers will help you with. It's important to develop lifestyle goals instead of short-term goals. I've seen clients get into shape for an event, e.g. a wedding, cruise, class reunion, vacation and stop working out after the event, only to see them six months to a year later back where they started or in worse shape. If you hire a trainer, learn to make exercise a habit so when you stop seeing your trainer, you continue your exercise program on your own.

Please understand this important point ? there is no magic in training or magic diet pill. Getting into shape and staying in shape takes exercise, effort, and controlling your eating habits. For more information and tips on exercise, go to http://www.easyexercisetips.com