Articles written by Devin Sherrington about health, wellness and fitness in regular column called Fit to Be Tried in the Daily News:

The Daily News - Fit to Be Tried by Devin Sherrington

Last week a client of mine was fighting to get through a set. Her face was red, and eyes squeezed shut. "There's something wrong with you." she said. "You have no compassion for me. I'm paying $25.00 an hour for this?"

Many people ask, why hire a trainer? (Aside from helping me earn a living.) People hire trainers for a number of reasons.

Some have never set foot in a gym and want someone to guide them through a workout. To best utilize time in the gym -- that's where a trainer's know-how comes in.

I always tell new people it's a good idea to book a few sessions with a trainer. That way you get comfortable with a number of machines and exercises.

Walking into a gym for the first time is scary. You always assume everyone else knows what to do. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Most people in a gym have poor form, and lift way too heavy or too light. They exercise improperly for the goals they want to achieve, or are copying what they've seen other people do incorrectly. A trainer can cut through this confusion.

Other people hire a trainer because they have a goal in mind, and need a plan to get there. Some clients want to lose weight. Some want to get ready for the beach. Some have health problems. Others have an athletic goal.

I've trained college football players, hockey players, people with serious health conditions, and even bodybuilders getting ready for shows.

The client I mentioned earlier is now in the Great Lakes sailing on the tall ship The Bounty. She wanted to get in shape and learn better balance so she could handle the hard work onboard.

Most people just like to have someone motivate them while working out. It is easy to go to the gym and get into the habit of doing the same routine every day. This causes people to get discouraged, because your body adjusts to what you do each day and you stop seeing results.

Having a trainer with you keeps you honest. The trainer knows what you did last week, and will make you work harder next time. This is one of the best ways to get in shape.

A select people few want solely a trainer for the ego boost. No one wants to workout and not show off a little. Having a trainer to praise you, telling you what a good job you are doing, can make a huge difference in how you feel.

If you want to buy stocks you go to a broker. To get in the best shape, hiring a trainer can be an excellent investment.