Once booked only by the wealthy and successful role models, personal fitness training has taken the mainstream. A personal trainer is now as common as a great pair of shoes or a delicious meal. So if you're looking for a personal trainer, here are six questions to ask before working with him or her.
This is the best way to get honest details. A trainer should list at least three clients you can approach. Ask references if they achieved their goals, how the trainer supported them, and what they liked most about the personal trainer. If the trainer refuses to make recommendations or acts like it's a big problem, keep looking.
Certification is evidence issued by a company or organization with its own academic and screening procedures. High-quality certification agencies require an extensive and often costly process for personal trainer accreditation. This usually includes written, oral and practical parts of the exam. Certification by an organization does not guarantee the quality of a trainer, but only shows that the person has actually met the minimum requirements for certification. Accreditation, while critical, is an element that should be used in conjunction with any other information you collect.
The trainer must also be accredited in CPR/First Aid and be able to provide proof of qualifications.
A reputable trainer should be able to explain a philosophy of exercise training. You don't need direct evidence for this, just a description of how he/she can help customers achieve their goals. How are the customers trained? How do you motivate them? Is there an evaluation procedure? Learn as much as you can about how they work with clients to achieve goals. What you are looking for here is a reflection of the trustworthiness of personal trainers. If the trainer says something like, “I'm kicking my client's ass... No pain, no success, thank them for their time and keep looking.
The cost of personal training varies widely depending on where you live and the trainer's qualifications and experience. As with anything else, there's no guarantee that the most expensive trainer will be the best fit for you and your goals. Talk to other people who have actually worked with a personal trainer. Read more about all costs and how you can pay. Some trainers charge a fee per workout, while other trainers have discounted prices for a certain amount, such as a prepaid 10-class card. Some only accept cash. Others accept credit cards. Many personal trainers have some sort of cancellation policy. Clear all financial obligations before the first training and insist that both parties sign an agreement. In any case, prevent the trainer from responding to a cost question with statements such as “How much do you want to spend?” or “How much do you want to invest?” This is someone who watches your wallet.
You should never base your choice solely on appearance. Someone with a perfect looking body may not understand how to teach you how to achieve your own goals. The person you hire teaches you skills and ways of living, and doesn't have to look like a model in a physical fitness publication.
Most importantly, choose a personal trainer who you feel comfortable with and if their personal attitude matches yours. Trust your gut feeling. If you don't feel comfortable, it's worthless to hire someone with a superior understanding of training. You have to trust him/her, he/she appreciates you and both sides feel good about it.
You wouldn't buy a pair of sneakers without at least trying them on to see if
they are comfortable and the shoes meet your expectations. Make an appointment with a personal trainer, ask the right questions and follow your gut feeling for the best possible work together.
