Sometimes you get really lucky in life.. and find a great personal trainer.

Early in the summer, I felt kind of bulky and energy-less, and unmotivated. Every time I went to the gym I would fool around on the cross trainer for a bit while watching a Lifetime movie and then scoot off to the sauna. So one day I signed up for a training session. I got Lori - a professional soccer player and coach - and she had me doing lunges and crunches, and sit ups and flip ups, and before I knew it I had signed up for ten sessions.. and then ten more. And all through it the woman made me laugh, listened to my chatter, and called me on my bs (I can't work out today, its raining).

Personal training basically is weight training (and other targeted exercises) to train your core muscle groups. Its not aerobic, its not cardio, although it can involve 10-15 of cardio to warm up. And while it costs an arm and a leg (like any personal service) it will get you in the gym, and you'll probably learn something new every day.

And despite the fact that by the end of it I had lost no weight (in fact I gained about 4 pounds of muscle) it was totally worth it. The stronger muscles mean more definition, more ability to run faster for longer, healthier bones etc.. Training didn't help me get into that dress from 2004 but at least I have hedged my bets against osteoporosis, and feel like I can kick someone's a*s if the need should arise.

If you are thinking of training, consider these things:

* Do you have the time to get in the gym couple times a week to work with the trainer and a couple more times to go through the routine on your own?
* Do you have cash, which if you didn't spend on this, you would spend on something frivolous anyway?
* Are there certified personal trainers at your gym? It is much easier if the service is available at your gym and there is a discount for members.
* Preferable that he/she is an intelligent person who will listen to what you say, and be focused only on you during the sessions.
* It also really helps if the person is not trying to hit on you - so train with whatever gender you are not attracted to.
* If your trainer is fun, and you get to make a friend, thats a bonus!