Gym Shorts: What Is a personal trainer?

We’ve heard the term personal trainer. But what do personal trainers really do? How can they help someone?

I sat down with a personal trainer to find out what all the fuss is about. I learned a boat-load of information, and came away with a better understanding and appreciation for the work personal trainers do.

Some of you in the region may know personal trainer Vanje Watson (right), who is based in Tiverton. Armed with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in kinesiology and physical education from Wilfrid Laurier University, along with a distinguished array of certifications, she opened her own personal training business in February, 2023. She has more than 15 years of experience in the fitness and health industry, and has managed gyms in Kincardine, Port Elgin and Southampton.

Watson says there are several different types of personal trainers. It all depends on what a client wants to accomplish. We may be most familiar with the personal trainer who works one-on-one with a client who wants to get fit through a tailored work-out plan. But there can be more to it.

Like Watson, there are personal trainers who also offer nutritional guidance and lifestyle coaching, motivational support and accountability, and progress tracking with regular check-ins and encouragement. ​And these are just the highlights!

Personal trainers follow their own particular fitness philosophy based on the type of training they have received. There are certified personal trainers who are tested regularly by the industry.

In addition to her degree, Watson has seven different fitness certificates. “I am certified to assess and correct someone’s form,” she says.

Her philosophy revolves around personalized attention, balanced nutrition, and functional fitness. “I work with people to check their form and teach them the foundational movements.”

While some clients come to her for just physical exercise and/or nutrition support, Watson also specializes in working with people who have chronic health-related issues. “I help them bridge the gap between the physiotherapy world and fitness. I show them what they can do to work around their issues so that we can improve the quality of their life.”

It’s clear that she loves what she does. She says it is gratifying when she knows she has helped people move without pain, or be able to move more when they could not previously, such as helping individuals get up from the floor more easily after sitting with their grandchildren.

She recalls working with an individual who was partially paralyzed. They worked together to get her moving with a walker. “She taught me that you have to move in day-to-day life. It was really rewarding to see her move when she could not before.”

Watson also develops fitness programs for people to do at home or at an open gym. “My goal is to teach clients to fly solo.”
She takes an holistic approach to her clients, noting that everything is connected, from eating and sleeping to one’s emotional and mental health. She’ll even work with clients on their environmental and relationship health. “These all work together.”

It’s easy to see why one-on-one training can be a motivational experience. But the most important aspect for people to be successful with a fitness and health program, says Watson, is to be committed and consistent on what they want to work on.

Being dedicated to regular movement and/or exercise does indeed build and maintain a healthy body. And if you take a closer look, perhaps with the help of a personal trainer, there’s so much more involved to help keep you healthy and happy!

As a reminder, you should always consult first with a medical professional or coach before starting a fitness program.