You know you should exercise, but you have a myriad of reasons not to. The health club is intimidating. Exercising is boring. You don't see the results you crave. If this describes your exercise philosophy, you might want to consider a personal trainer.

Personal trainers are professionals whose job is to design an exercise program that meets your unique needs, and to help you stick with it. The can help you assess your goals and expectations, teach you how to get maximum benefit without overdoing it, and motivate you to make exercise a part of your lifestyle.

Heather Doolittle, a personal trainer the Wellness Center, says that the most important thing a trainer can provide is motivation. She says that simply having an appointment to keep is motivation enough for most of her clients to get to the gym. Once there, the trainer provides constant encouragement throughout the workout.

Heather says that one of the first things she does when she meets with a new client is to assess goals. It's important, she says, to set reasonable, attainable goals when starting a program. She and her colleagues are honest with their clients when evaluating their objectives.

"If someone tells me that their goal is to lose 100 pounds in six months, it would be unfair to tell them this is something they can accomplish," says Heather. "Instead, I'll work with the client to set more realistic goals so that they can actually see some progress."

Most of the clients who use personal trainers at the Wellness Center aren't training for a sporting event - they just want to improve their health. They opt for training for a variety of reasons. For some, having a trainer as a guide makes the fitness facility less intimidating. For others, knowing that they are using proper technique and doing the things that will yield results is important. Still others have just completed a rehabilitation program after injury, surgery or stroke. For them, working with a trainer is a comfortable transition from working with physical therapists.

How often a client sees a trainer is entirely up to him or her. Some prefer to have a trainer with them at every workout, while a session every four to six weeks is sufficient for others. Heather says she can design a plan for a client to follow on their own for a specific period of time, then meet with the client again to assess progress and update the plan. If cost has kept you from seeking the help of a trainer, this may be a good option for you.

"Personal training is viewed as a luxury," says Heather. "But having one session every four to six weeks is well within most people's budgets."

Many new clients request a specific trainer who was recommended by a friend or healthcare professional. If they don't have a trainer in mind, the staff matches the client to the most appropriate trainer based on health status, the goals they want to accomplish, and what their schedules will allow. Each trainer at the Wellness Center has a particular type of client they enjoy working with most, and who can benefit most from the partnership.

"Our personal trainers are dynamic, motivated and highly qualified," says Wellness Center Director Mary Ann Dankert. "We are very proud of these dedicated professionals."

Personal trainers at the Wellness Center all hold Bachelor's degrees in Exercise Science or other health-related fields. They also hold certifications with one or more of the following organizations: the American Council on Exercise, the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America, the American Institute of Fitness Educators, Deep South Training, the Aquatic Exercise Association, the National Strength & Conditioning Association, and the American College of Sports Medicine.

For more information on personal training at the Wellness Center, including rates and available packages, call 504-849-6868.