You don’t HAVE to have a personal trainer to gain muscle. It really comes down to asking or knowing a couple things about yourself.
Are you someone who needs guidance?
Are you new to working out and not sure where to start?
Realistically speaking, do you see yourself being accountable about sticking with this habit?
These are just some of the questions you should be asking yourself to decide whether you need a personal trainer. It has less to do with the ability to gain muscle. Anyone can gain muscle if they follow a proper workout regimen. The real issue comes down to adherence.
The Benefit of a Trainer
So what would the benefit be of having a trainer to gain muscle? I highly recommend hiring one if you found yourself answering yes to any or all of the questions above. A good trainer can be priceless in terms of getting you familiar with the gym and started on seeing progress. If you aren’t sure of what to do, then it’s time to take the guesswork out. Why aimlessly try and figure out your way around a gym, when you can have someone who has the knowledge to guide you?
That’s ultimately what a trainer is for. They are there to guide you on the best approach to get you towards your goals. They are someone that can hold you accountable and make sure you are showing up, and following the recommended protocol. Most people don’t hit their goals because after a couple months they aren’t able to continue sticking to it. Let’s get ahead of this!
Building muscle isn’t a complicated process, but it’s always good to have someone get you started. If money is an issue, then don’t think of this as a forever commitment. Think of it as an initial investment on your education as to what it takes to achieve your goal, with the eventual plan to do it on your own (should you choose). You can also just lower the frequency to which you see your trainer and utilize them more as a check in.
Who Doesn’t Need a Trainer?
The types of individuals I would say don't need a trainer are varied. If you are a self starter, and someone who likes to research, and create your own protocols and know you can stick to them, then you might be fine without a trainer. Particularly if you are really good about being consistent, then you will be fine.
When I first got into lifting, I wasn’t super consistent. What I did (not knowing at the time) was I had set easy goals of just getting 2-3 workouts a week so that I know I got a workout in. While I definitely wanted to be super jacked, I didn’t make gaining muscle the ultimate goal, I had made being consistent the behavior change.
Gaining muscle is really just a matter of stacking enough days in the gym (while eating in a surplus), to progressively push heavier weights (with good form), for 1-3 years. After that, most people end up hitting their muscle building goals and can maintain which is a lot easier.
If you need help choosing a trainer make sure to read my article on What to Look for When Choosing a Personal Trainer.
