Picking the Best Personal Trainer for YOU
It’s that time of year to get serious with your workouts and buckle down to achieve your fitness goals. Whether you’re an avid gym-goer or a novice, hiring a personal trainer does not have to be stressful when you ask the right questions. Working with a professional can help you reach your health and fitness goals in an efficient and safe manner. More than motivation and instruction, a personal trainer can require you to be accountable when it comes to weekly workouts, while playing a role in helping you maximize your time at the gym, prevent injury and see more consistent results. I have always said, “a good trainer is a wise investment, especially when it comes to your health. But a great trainer is a pot of gold to lifetime of good health.”
Although time and money may influence your decision for a trainer, arm yourself with questions and criteria in order to choose someone who's right for you. With these key points, you will be able to pick and choose a personal trainer based on what works for you.
1.Proper Education and Certifications
Undoubtedly, what separates a not-so-good trainer from a great trainer is their present knowledge and expertise. Does he/she have a college degree in sports science, kinesiology, nutrition or exercise physiology? OR are they certified? National organizations like The American Council on Exercise, the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association offer accredited certifications for personal training which require continuing education. Also, an extensive program through The American College of Sports Medicine has been be recognized for their personal trainer certifications. It is important that you work with someone who carries liability insurance and is currently certified in CPR. Make sure your potential trainer questions you about your medical conditions, previous or current injuries, past surgeries and medications. After you learn about their education, find out what training they have or what is their area of expertise? Some personal trainers are sport-specific, or work more with various weight-loss programs, while other trainers may have physical rehab experience or marathon training. In addition to their specialized training, ask how long have they been in the industry? Ask if the trainer can provide you with referrals from clients who may have shared goals similar to yours. A good trainer should be happy to list references and success stories.
2. Convenience and Cost
Finding a time slot that is convenient for you and your personal trainer may be difficult, at first, particularly if he/she is always booked solid. See if you can schedule a regular time/day in advance. Or if you prefer a flexible weekly schedule, make sure he/she understands the arrangement and can accomodate you. Inquire about his/her cancellation policy and if you can reschedule missed appointments. Another critical factor is the cost of the personal trainer. Trainers' rates vary based on factors such as experience, location and how much time you spend with them. They range from about $40 per hour to $300 per hour. The hourly fee for a trainer working in a gym may be around $70 per hour, while an independent personal trainer may cost $65 per hour or more. Consider your budget when choosing a trainer. Try to view the expenditure as an investment in your health, and don’t let the cost be the sole determining factor in your decision. Keep in mind that the most expensive trainer isn't necessarily better for you. Sometimes, the personal trainer may offer a discounted price for a package of training sessions and/or for group training sessions.
3. Reliability and Comfort
You may think that the biggest responsibility of a personal trainer might be to motivate and inspire their clients to exercise. Actually, their reliable training techniques and effective instruction outweighs those personality traits. A professional personal trainer should not only be able to make a personalized training program based on your goals and fitness level, but he/she should also track your progress to see how your hard work is paying off. Knowing what exercises to do based on a client's individual ability, physiological limitations and medical profile, comprises one aspect of a personal trainer’s responsibility. The secondary factor includes knowing how to utilize, prioritize, and organize exercises (i.e., program design) to create a training stimulus to achieve specific adaptations.
Be sure to inquire about how the personal trainer charts and tracks your progress. Working out under the supervision of a personal trainer while following their exercise program should produce your desired results. However, that being said, many clients who work with trainers at the gym are recreational exercisers. The majority of these clients are chasing weight-management and general overall fitness. Plenty of these clients will openly tell you that they're not at all interested in changing their eating habits. In fact, a large proportion of these clients are only interested in exercising to offset all the foods they love to eat. In these cases, the results are not the fault of the trainer, but the desire and commitment of the client. Basically, these exercisers want a great experience that challenges them, but doesn't hurt them. If they stick with it, these clients will gradually become fitter, feel better, and maybe see some solid improvement on certain health markers, such as blood pressure and body fat. A competent fitness professional will provide a healthy exercise program for long-term results, leading to a healthy lifestyle.
Along with reliability, you may want a trainer that you feel comfortable with and trust. The personal trainer may take measurements which can be embarrassing. Or you may prefer a trainer who doesn’t scream and shout orders to you like a drill-sergeant. Perhaps, you would rather work with someone who readily gives praise, support and encouragement while you are working out. Find a trainer whose style works for your personality and how you like to be motivated. Finally, trust your gut in selecting the right personal trainer for you. Make time to watch them in action with their clients before you embark on your fitness journey with them. You could learn about their training style and method prior to your initial appointment. Remember, this investment in your health could change, or possibly even save your life!
Side bar: Have you ever worked with a personal trainer? Share in the comments with us on celestefit.com
