When someone mentions a personal trainer, what comes to mind?

Do you automatically think of some immortal being sculpted with six-pack abs who sips green shakes every morning?

Or a drill sergeant who barks orders in order to get you scared and make you sweat?

Lots of trainers may drink shakes and some may bark orders, however most trainers don’t do this, look like this and will never want to see you sweat — at least not because you’re scared.

Becoming a personal trainer is definitely personal.

We want to devote our lives to staying fit and assisting in finding innovative ways to help others live their best and fittest lives possible.

However, I think sometimes personal trainers are stereotyped and people think we are all the same.

Let’s look at a few common personal training myths:

We know everything

Becoming a trainer isn’t only about getting a certification. Staying on top of fitness means learning new exercise routines and programmes to deliver the results our clients expect.

That means investing in continuing education and attending fitness seminars, however sometimes you may ask a question that we do not know.

We will, however, try our best to get you an answer or direct you to the source.

We all have six-pack abs

Most trainers don’t live to eat only baked chicken with broccoli; sometimes we eat nachos!

We love to indulge, just like you, which means paying for it later.

Yes, we stay in shape and work hard to to stay fit. But it’s definitely not easy.

We are human, just like you. We gain weight and lose weight, but we show up and put in the work.

We like seeing you struggle

Our goal is to help you get stronger and feel confident in the exercises that you do and look and feel better.

It is not our intention to make you feel sore.

If you’re feeling sore from the training, it’s probably because you’re using muscles you haven’t used in a while or they’re being used in different ways.

A diligent trainer will monitor the soreness because it shows how fast you recover.

We help you lose weight

Even though losing weight and being fit are great goals, they aren’t the only goals we have for you. With the business of personal training, we aim to help you make better choices.

For example, having a goal of losing weight should always have a reason behind it, whether it’s to set a good example for your children, put on your favourite suit or dress for Christmas or to just challenge yourself.

Always ask yourself what your goal is for getting personal training, and push hard to make it happen.

We give only fancy exercises

The business of personal training isn’t about teaching fancy exercises, it isn’t meant to constantly teach you new things.

It’s meant to teach you how to do things better. It’s about teaching you how to feel throughout your workout and keep your body safe.

All workouts must be an hour

Having an hour workout is only meant to keep you active. In fact, some trainers despise one-hour training sessions.

Most of my clients are half-hour sessions. Workout protocols can change depending on the goal of the session.

For example, a metabolic workout may take only 30 to 40 minutes, while a muscle-gain exercise session can be as long as an hour and a half.

If a trainer ends a session earlier than designated, that doesn’t mean that they’re slacking.

It’s most likely because it was the ideal time to achieve the goal of the session.

Your workout is what’s most important

If you’ve hired a trainer who gives you a number of exercises and leaves you to do them while they are standing on their phone then you’re being ripped off.

A good trainer will try to instruct and encourage you to do the programme and the workouts that come with it.

Second, it is also a trainer’s job to make sure that you’re looking forward to, confident and, overall, comfortable with each exercise.

From the outside looking in, the life of fitness may seem simple, glamorous and the easiest job in the world.

Unfortunately, far too many people enter the field because they want to make fast money.

Being a trainer isn’t about making fast cash; it’s about doing what you love, standing behind your fitness values and helping others achieve their health and wellness goals because you genuinely care. Do not let the hype stop you from working with a trainer. Take the time to find a trainer that you feel comfortable with.

There are so many on the island, each with their own individual styles.

Find your personal trainer and B-Active for life!

• Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Look for B. ActiveForLife on Facebook