Choosing the Right Personal Trainer is Important for Many Reasons.

• Personal training can be expensive.

• It is important to learn how to train correctly.

• You want a personal trainer that can motivate you.

• You want a personal trainer that you get along with and understands your strengths, weaknesses, and limitations and understands how to work with these things to bring out the very best in you.

• You need to be comfortable with the trainer and able to understand his or her directions.

Things to Consider when Choosing the Right Personal Trainer

• What are the trainer's professional credentials? Is he or she certified by ACSM, ACE, or NSCA?

• What is the trainers experience level?

• Does the trainer keep up with the latest ideas, research, and equipment?

• Has the trainer worked with other clients with your same starting fitness level and age?
  

• If you are training for a specific sport goal, such as walking a marathon, has the trainer worked with others who have that goal?

• What hours does the trainer have available, and what flexibility will there be in scheduling your workouts?

• Is a trial session available for free or a low fee? If you like the trainer, book just a couple of sessions as a trial before you buy a package of sessions.

• What are the fees the trainer charges?  You will want to research fees of other trainers in your area to see what the going rate is.

• What is the penalty for having to cancel a workout?

• Does the trainer offer package discounts? If so, do package agreements have an expiration date? Are they transferable to other trainers at the same facility?

• Is the trainer part of a company? If so, can you choose other trainers in the company if so desired?

• Does the trainer carry insurance?

• Do they have their own training facility or will you need to purchase an addiitonal gym membership?

• Does the trainer offer in home training?

• Is the trainer also experienced in nutrition, custom diets and custom training programs?

• Does the trainer have experienced with injury rehab? Stretching?  

After the Interview/Workout Session

I recommend going through a workout with the trainer before making your decision - how he or she communicates with you throughout the workout is what really counts. After you've done this, ask the following:

• Did I understand how the trainer was directing me to do the exercises?

• Was the trainer focusing on me? providing clear direction? Providing encouragement? providing a safe spot when needed?

• Did the trainer encourage me to give feedback, or did I feel intimidated and clam up?

• Did the trainer listen to and understand what I was saying and adjust the session so I could do the exercises correctly?

• Did the trainer understand my goals and seem to be gearing the workout in that direction?

• Is this somebody I will feel comfortable working out with?

• Did he or she motivate me to perform better?

• Will I look forward to coming to workout with this trainer, or am I likely to find excuses to miss workouts?
  

About Jeff Behar 

Jeff Behar, MS, MBA