We would all like to have the resources to hire a Charles Glass or Milos Sarcev to train us each week. These legendary IFBB professional bodybuilders and star trainers/gurus are known for taking bodybuilders from nobodies to stars in just a year or less of training. They understand training angles, dieting tips, steroid interactions and effectiveness, and just about every other aspect involved with becoming a top bodybuilder quickly. Since you can’t afford them, you are going to need to take on their roles. Think about all of the roles a personal trainer would play. Then, complete these tasks on your own. Use a spreadsheet or Word document to list all of these tasks and ideas and roles your personal trainer would cover. This will ensure you don’t miss any important aspects. Admit your weaknesses in each of these areas, then work to correct them. Consult with actual personal trainers whenever possible, and record the advice – and follow it! Become your own boss in the gym and in the kitchen, and you’ll soon discover the best personal trainer is you.

Your trainer in the gym

He’s going to count reps. He’s going to remember the weight you used, and recommend what movements will target muscle groups effectively. He’s going to have a new exercise for each muscle group, ready for you with each trip to the gym. Guess what – you can do this for yourself! Purchase Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding and you will be set!

Your nutritionist

Your personal trainer is going to plan meals for you. He’ll tell you what to eat, and when to eat it. He’ll tell you when to drink whey (during the day) and when to choose casein protein (before bed). He’ll count calories, protein grams and more.

Your supplement guru

Should you buy and try every “garbage-tech” product that runs an ad in this month’s FLEX magazine? Or should you stick to the tried-and-true options such as creatine and glutamine? If you’re trying to lose weight, you’re going to want to use ECA. Or would it be DNP? Consult with an expert and then use the creatine and protein basics.

Your guardian angel

When you’re ready to get into a little mischief, whether it is staying up all night doing shots of tequila with your fraternity brothers or pulling through Burger King for an Angus Burger, your guardian angel (or personal trainer) will be there to stop you from spoiling your bodybuilding progress or sabotaging tomorrow’s workout. Do you have this kind of discipline?

Your steroid guru

If you choose to indulge in the dark side of bodybuilding, your personal trainer is going to be the man who guides you along this journey and helps to ensure you neither destroy your internal organs nor your natural testosterone production.

Tracking your progress

I-Pod offers a new series of fitness applications for your phone which may make delivering your own personal trainer a bit easier. Bodyspace from Bodybuilding.com is also very useful. The web is full of resources to assist you becoming your own best personal trainer – use them!

If you like this article, click here to share: