The 5 fitness pros that can help you reach your goals

Need a little motivation to take you beyond your regular gym routine? Why not turn to a bonafide fitness professional to put you on the right path and give you the tools you need to reach your goals.

Fitness goal: Improve flexibility
Pro: Yoga instructor
How they can help: "Many people think that they need to be flexible to practice yoga," says Tara Blake, yoga teacher and co-owner of Yogaroots Mindfulness Centre in Fort Langley, B.C. "But the point is to practice when you are not flexible and yoga will help you get there."
Workout prescription: The best way to reap the benefits of this ancient practice is to make it an integral part of your life. "Flexibility is always a slow process. To make dramatic change in the body's flexibility after many years of tension, repetitive moment and stiffness takes patience." While Blake admits that many students come to the hour and a half classes only once a week, she maintains that two or three classes a week can have double or triple the benefit.
Results: "By keeping body awareness between classes and attending two to three times a week, students often feel a change in their posture, energy level and ease of moment in their regular activities within four to six weeks."
Added benefits: According to Blake, yoga students also experience fewer tension headaches, decreased back pain, better concentration skills and a general sense of well-being.

Fitness goal: Build some muscle   
Pro: Personal trainer
How they can help: It's harder to skip a gym visit when there's someone waiting for you. "A personal trainer can help you to be patient and can provide the motivation needed to get you out the door when you would rather sit on the couch and watch TV," says Anjeanette Krip, certified fitness trainer and owner of Jump Start Fitness & Personal Training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. They can also make sure that you see results by pushing you to give your all during the workout.
Workout prescription: "Ideally they should meet with their trainer two to three times per week, for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on their goal." Krip also recommends that clients aim for four to five days of activity per week, so if you're only meeting with you trainer twice, you should squeeze in at least two more sessions on your own.

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