Motivation or Knowledge – What’s Really Holding You Back?

The idea for this blog came to me after chatting with a lady who recently reached out for help.

Approaching sixty and newly retired, she’d spent decades in a fast-paced corporate career where her time was precious. Exercise had always been squeezed into the gaps – short bursts here and there when she could…
sidenote: if you’re reading this and thinking, “I never have the time to exercise” then you need to first check this blog!

…now, with time in abundance, her days look very different: hours spent in the garden, daily walks, and some light resistance exercises in her living room.

On the surface you’d look at her routine and think: she doesn’t need a personal trainer. She’s active, balanced, and consistent.

And to an extent, I’d agree. But as our conversation developed and I reflected on her story, I realised she highlighted something I’ve seen throughout my two decades in the fitness industry: most people who benefit from personal training fall into one of two camps.

The Two Types of People Who Benefit Most From Personal Training – Which One Are You?

Camp 1: Motivated but Lacking Knowledge
This lady clearly belonged here. Driven, disciplined, and not afraid of putting in the work, but when it came to knowing which exercises to do, how to structure them, or how to make progress over time, she was lost.

And she’s not alone. According to a Nuffield Health study of 2,000 UK adults:

• 55% of gym-goers admit they don’t know what they’re doing when exercising.
• 20% copy someone else’s workout just because they looked confident or appealing.

The majority don’t know even the basics of their health metrics:

• 65% don’t know their BMI.
• 75% are unaware of their resting heart rate.
• 88% don’t know their body fat percentage.
• Almost half have no clear goal in mind, and of those who do, 74% don’t set a timeline for achieving it.

So while motivation may not be the issue, using your time effectively is. That’s where structured guidance makes all the difference.
Camp 2: Knowledgeable but Lacking Motivation
The second camp is the opposite. Thanks to YouTube, Instagram, and AI-powered apps, it’s never been easier to find a diet plan or a workout routine that’s aligned to your goal(s). You can become an “expert” in just a few hours if you know where to look.

But having information isn’t the same as following it. This is where many people struggle. Research shows:

• 38% of adults say a lack of motivation is the main barrier to living a healthier life.
• 35% say they’re simply too tired to exercise.
• And a survey from UKActive showed 41% of us skip the gym after a busy workday, opting for the sofa instead.

In fact, a blog I wrote earlier this year showed, even among those who join gyms full of good intentions, 50% stop attending within six months, and around 80% cancel their membership within a year.

The truth is, discipline and accountability are harder to come by than information. As one user on Reddit put it:

“I have all the tools, know exactly what to do, but I lack motivation, dedication, and conviction.”

This is where personal training steps in; not to teach you what you already know, but to keep you on track when motivation dips.

So… Do You Need a Personal Trainer?

If you recognise yourself in either of these camps, the answer is probably yes. Whether you’re motivated but unsure what to do, or knowledgeable but lacking consistency, working with a trainer gives you structure, clarity, and accountability – we all require a kick up the backside once in a while.

At Hall Personal Training, we specialise in helping people bridge this exact gap (in addition to giving them a gentle kick). Our small-group personal training and one-to-one nutrition and progress reviews combine expertise with encouragement – giving you the plan, the support, and the accountability you need to finally get results you can stick with.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about knowing what to do, it’s about having the right people and support network alongside you, to make sure you actually do it!

Fancy knowing more? Why not reach out to learn about our 30-Day Accelerator Programme – an all-in-one approach that combines coaching, nutrition, and accountability. It’s designed to get you up off the couch, accelerate your progress, and set you firmly on the path to your goals…