Before, fitness trainers were affordable only to rich people and celebrities. And to justify hiring one, a person practically had to have a home fitness space and two percent surplus fat. Well, times have changed.

Today, there are personal trainers who focus on all degrees of fitness at a number of price points. Trainers can help you hit your targets without breaking the lender.

But are you set for an individual HYHQ trainer? In order to help you identify whether a specialist will “move the needle” for you, we’ve put together a list of five criteria. Check them out and why don’t we really know what we’ve missed in the comments.

1. You do not have gumption
Don’t feel bad if this is actually the case. It happens to most of us from time to time. And exactly like getting a gym buddy can help jumpstart your workout, getting a dedicated trainer – who you’re paying, on top of that – will force you (in the perfect way) to throw on the fitness center shorts and sweat.

2. You’ve hit a plateau
While carrying it out by yourself can be admirable, most of us are not professionals. To borrow a popular expression, we “don’t really know what we don’t know.” An individual trainer works together with people all day, every day; he or she is rooted available and has the perspective to push you to another level.

3. You’ve injured yourself
Not knowing how to appropriately stretch and perform a variety of exercises can, at best, lead to a suboptimal workout and, at worst, cause injury. An educated pro will know when and where you can push you, so when and where you can take it easy. If you find yourself strained and pained, it’s time to ask a trainer for guidance. A trainer will know when you’re ready for action… so when you’re not.

4. You’re bored
A similar routines day in and out invite boredom and malaise. These conditions are anathema to enthusiasm and stamina – both of which are essential to fitness. Trainers are used to entertaining their clients (and themselves, for example) for months and years at the same time. These professionals will have the “secret sauce” to make your workouts engaging, effective and unforgettable.

5. You’re unsure of what can help you
What muscle group are you focusing on? Do you know that what you’re doing solo is affecting it? Will you be dieting? Will you be certain your routine is optimizing your time and efforts? They are questions only a tuned professional can answer. Trainers help you work smarter, definitely not harder. Their years of experience and variety of clients allow them to prioritize the precise exercises that may help you achieve your fitness goals.