When someone mentions "personal trainer,” what's the first thing that comes to mind? Is it some overly large, muscle-bound hulk bulging out of his shirt screaming “Pump harder, you lift like a sissy!”, or is it a vision of a gym packed with people sweating to the rants of some overly excited individual promising to melt their fat away?

Well, as they say nowadays, “that’s old school.” A lot has changed since the old days when gyms and exercise were thought of as something reserved for football jocks. The truth is, you don't have to be rich or famous to reap the benefits of hiring a personal trainer. More and more people, novice and veteran exercisers alike, are working with personal trainers because they offer a practical and affordable means of getting and staying healthy. Here, courtesy of the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and Club Industry magazine, are the top 10 reasons for hiring a personal trainer

1. Motivation. Personal trainers wear many hats, serving not only as coach, but also as an educator, confidant, role model and a major source of motivation and encouragement.
2. Consistency. Do you find it difficult to stick to a workout program? Scheduling regular appointments with a personal trainer helps eliminate any excuses you may come up with for not exercising.
3. Safety. Are you unsure about how to perform a chest-press or how to perform walking lunges without hurting your knees? A personal trainer will show you how to exercise safely (including which exercises to avoid), and instruct you on the proper and safe use of exercise equipment.
4. Individualized Instruction. An exercise program that works for one person may not work for another. A personal trainer will develop the most effective program for you based on your fitness evaluation results and personal goals.
5. Effective Workouts. Today's hectic lifestyles mean you don't have time to waste on ineffective exercise routines. Personal trainers help maximize your time by providing workouts designed to meet your goals quickly and efficiently.
6. Supervision. Personal attention during exercise is the primary function of personal trainers, to ensure you perform exercises correctly for your body type and physical needs. That's what your personal trainer is for: to observe, assist and, if necessary, correct as needed.
7. Sports-specific training. Whether you want to shave some strokes off your golf score or beat your friend at tennis, a personal trainer can tailor your program to your sport of choice. This isn’t reserved for athletes; it’s affordably available to everyone.
8. Injury Rehabilitation. Injuries and accidents can prevent you from participating in your favorite activities. An experienced personal trainer, however, can make the road to recovery a smooth one by recommending exercises that emphasize overall muscular balance to prevent future injuries.
9. Special-needs training. Research confirms that individuals with health challenges such as diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis or heart disease benefit greatly from regular physical activity. These conditions, however, can make exercising safely a challenge. Experienced and highly trained personal trainers are experienced in designing programs that address the special needs of these and other conditions.
10. Ego boost. It's a fact - feeling good makes you look good, and vice versa. Not only can personal trainers help you achieve your health and fitness goals, they provide you with positive feedback on your performance and bolster your confidence to take on new challenges.