You’ve just wrapped up physical therapy and you’re finally feeling better — but what’s next? How can you make sure you progress and don’t get hurt again?
If you appreciated the accountability of regular physical therapy sessions and now you’re all on your own, you might be worried about the loss of structure and support. That’s where a personal trainer can step in. They create programs specific to your needs post-therapy and offer that personal touch that encourages you to stick to your goals. We all need a consistent support system to move forward, so let’s see if a personal trainer could be the missing piece for you.
Remember that Physical Therapy (PT) is about getting you to a place where you can move around again without pain. It’s meant to help you recover, but the process doesn’t end with your final PT appointment. If you want to avoid setbacks or re-injury, sticking with your exercises is key to go from just feeling more comfortable to truly confident in your body.
Here’s how the right trainer can take you from “recovered” to thriving:
A personal trainer doesn’t just help you move more; they give you the consistent push and accountability you need to achieve your fitness goals. For some, that’s climbing a 3000-foot mountain with ease, while for others it’s gaining the strength to hold a yoga pose without falling over or climbing the stairs to the office without getting winded. Your trainer builds off of what you started in PT and adds in exercises that have you feeling strong and healthy — on your terms.
One of the best parts of getting a personalized plan with a trainer? You won’t get bored. Unlike repetitive PT exercises, your trainer will constantly switch things up to keep you engaged and avoid those plateaus.
A trainer alters your plans and progresses your goals as you improve, and very importantly, they manage any injuries or concerns you might have. They have expertise in injury prevention and can identify risky movements, correct form, and adjust exercises to keep you safe. That means they can be the difference between a squat that strengthens your glutes and one that destroys your knees.
Besides the personalized workouts, what really makes the difference is the accountability and human connection. It’s incredibly easy to skip a workout when you’re tired and no one else is there to notice. But on top of that, you don’t even have anyone there to offer encouragement. A personal trainer fills that gap, giving you the support to stay consistent, the push to keep going, and the motivation to make each workout count — and the compassion you may not give yourself when it’s time to rest instead of push on.
Research backs up the positive impact of having a trainer. For example, studies show that we’re more likely to complete our goals just by telling someone about them. Monitoring and checking in with an accountability partner increases those chances even more.
Plus, if you’re not a big fan of exercising, a study in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine showed that people working with personal trainers improved their attitudes and exercise habits compared to those without one. That means your motivation and feelings around exercising can turn from viewing it as a hassle to something you actually want to do.
Individual coaching was also more helpful than self or group training. The reason? It reduced procrastination, making goal achievement more likely. Accountability was a major factor since sticking to a goal before it becomes a hard-set habit can be a heavy emotional task — one that benefits from consistent support.
Finally, a small 2024 study compared the differences in working out alone, with a friend, or with a personal trainer. Those with a personal trainer improved in far more areas — including injury prevention. The personal trainer group also lost more fat and improved their squat count, suggesting more effective progress.
In a nutshell, with a personal trainer, you’re more likely to:
Think of physical therapy and personal training like two sides of the same coin: one gets you back on your feet, while the other keeps you moving forward.
Here’s a quick look at how each one plays a part in your recovery and future health:
To make the best choice for you, think about the factors involved in hiring a personal trainer versus going at it alone.
A personal trainer isn’t necessarily for everyone, but if you fit these points, it might be for you:
In the end, deciding whether or not a trainer is best after physical therapy all depends on your needs and goals. Hiring a trainer might be best if you want to build even more strength and gain consistency with their support and structure. A trainer could be the key to helping you stay active, motivated, and focused for the long haul.
While physical therapy offers targeted exercises and a schedule, a personal trainer can continue to do the same as you meet and set new goals — with more flexibility, encouragement, and a longer-term relationship.
Trainwell offers something most training plans don’t — access to a convenient trainer in your pocket. Trainwell is a fully remote training solution that allows you to work out on your own time, at home or the gym. You get all the flexibility of a workout app but the expertise and accountability of a human. We get the huge emotional aspect that ties into being vulnerable in front of someone else. That’s just one of the reasons why we focus on today and not transformations. No one is expecting you to be perfect, just showing up is enough.
You can also choose a trainer that suits your unique personality and communication style, like a gentle approach versus tough love. Let them know about your physical therapy so they can integrate it into their plans and you can feel assured that you’re cared for.
With access to trainers specializing in different areas, you can leave behind the worries about an injury and get a specific strength-building program for a healthier, more resilient future. Join trainwell today with a free 14-day trial.
Written by Jennifer Olejarz.
