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Personal trainers are a popular option for those seeking a healthy, long life. But it's no panacea, Dario Pozzi writes for finews.life. The case against cheap excuses.

«I want to lose weight around my mid-section», «I'd like to feel more rested when I wake up in the morning,» «I don't want to be out of breath after I've climbed four flights of stairs,» «I feel embarrassed at the beach,» «I want to live longer».

Those are typical responses when I ask potential clients about their specific goals. As basic as the answers seem, most people are lost when it comes to finding the right measures to reach their goals.

Enemy #1: Mediocrity

We always want to be moving forward in life – to keep developing professionally and personally, physically as well as mentally. We want to live a long, good life. We want to banish Public Enemy #1: mediocrity.

Mediocrity is unsuccessful, weak and bereft of talent. We want to avoid it at all costs, and yet most of us are about average. And that average has some weight around its mid-section, has trouble waking up in the morning, feels winded after four flights of stairs, doesn't like how they look in their swimsuit, and lives to an average age.

Work for Perfect Peach

Being better than average requires going above and beyond average performance; you won't achieve anything without extraordinary discipline and stamina. Everyone wants «six-pack» abs or a «perfect peach» bottom – but not many are willing to put in the effort necessary to achieve it.

Who incessantly counts their calories, eats protein-dense foods, and regularly lifts weights? Everyone talks about health, but almost no one really takes their own into hand. How many of you, dear reader, have your current blood work to hand? Who knows the appropriate range for key metrics like cholesterol, vitamins, or hormones? Who is in the picture about how effective their liver or their glands are working?

«Coach» Can't Do the Work

Of course, coaching can help get you on the right track: a personal trainer can bust the myths about fad diets, suggest health checks, refer nutrition professionals, and plan effective training sessions. An effective coach wants to make themself obsolete as soon as possible.