Innovation Fitness Solutions: How to choose a Personal Trainer

How to choose a Personal Trainer

Let’s discuss the absolute necessities when hiring a Personal Fitness Trainer as well as some warning signs of what to avoid. If you make the choice to hire a trainer but more importantly to take the time to hire the right trainer for your personality and fitness goals it can have a huge impact on your life.

Education: Most consumers cannot differentiate between a qualified and an unqualified trainer. A starting point is to be sure your trainer is certified through a reputable fitness organization. There are literally hundreds of certifying bodies for Personal Training in The United States. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is an accrediting body in our industry. Make sure that your trainer has at least one accredited certification such as NASM, NCCPT, ACSM, ACE, NSCA or AFAA. An exercise science or other related college degree is helpful but is not necessary. However, the more education your trainer has, the better your results may be.

Experience: I recommend that you choose a trainer with at least two years of industry experience. There is quite a bit to be said for on the job training. Experience accounts for the intangibles such as the ability to communicate better and knowing your limitations. Many novice trainers mistake working you too hard for a good workout. Experienced trainers understand how to properly pace you for injury prevention, exercise recovery and improving the overall enjoyment of the experience.

Additionally, you must seek a trainer that has the expertise that meets your needs. If FITNESS is your goal then most qualified, experienced trainers can certainly do that. If improving athletic PERFORMANCE is your goal - this will take a trainer with a different/additional skillset.
If FAT LOSS is your goal you must seek someone out that understands food intake psychology in addition to their fitness credentials. Do not think that all trainers have the same specialties. They do not. (More to come on this in a future article).

Intangibles: Does the trainer communicate with you or at you? Do they use words and terminology that you can easily understand or do you need a fitness dictionary to figure out what they are saying? Use your gut. Do you feel that this person is sincere and truly willing to aid you or that you are now going to fill that small gap in their schedule?

An Open Mind: This is a rapidly expanding field. Fitness, health, weight management and performance sciences are changing every day. Does your trainer evolve as well? Or have they continued to do the same thing over and over. Ask your potential trainer the last continuing education course they attended or if the facility where they are employed provides continuing education.

Full Time, Career Minded Individual: Is this (Training) what your trainer does for a living? Or is it a part time proposition? Chances are the trainer is not as skilled doing part time work because they are spending the majority of their time learning their primary craft.