How to Hire a Personal Trainer

A personal trainer can help you achieve your fitness goals, but you need to know how to hire a personal trainer. Here's a checklist of what to look for in a personal trainer.

Certification - There are many certification organizations in the fitness industry. Some certify almost anybody, but the better organizations require at least a few months of study and being able to pass a comprehensive exam. You should only hire a personal trainer who has been certified by one of the better organizations. And make sure that the certification is current; most expire after a year or two unless the trainer takes continuing education courses.

Some of the better organizations that certify personal trainers are the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA) and the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT).

University Degree - A fitness related bachelors or masters degree is usually even better than a certification. Look for degrees in exercise physiology, exercise science, physical education or kinesiology. A university degree plus certification is a great combination.

References - Good personal trainers have satisfied customers and won't hesitate to put you in touch with them. You should ask for references that are the same age and gender as you and have similar fitness goals to yours. This will help you determine whether the personal trainer is skilled in dealing with your particular needs.

Liability Insurance - A personal trainer should carry liability insurance to protect clients against injury.

CPR And First Aid - A personal trainer should be certified in CPR and first aid in order to handle emergency situations.

Fees - Fees for personal training can vary greatly depending on the personal trainer's experience, clientele and services. You should research fees for personal trainers in your area to get an idea of what the range is like. As a general rule, be wary of personal trainers at either end of the fee spectrum.

Schedule - What hours does the personal trainer have available and what flexibility will there be in scheduling your workouts? The whole point of hiring a personal trainer is to get the personal instruction and motivation you need at times that are convenient for you.

Compatibility - Before you hire a personal trainer, you need to interview the trainer and go through a trial workout with the trainer. Are the two of you compatible? Is the trainer professional, knowledgable, attentive and motivating? Do you feel comfortable working out with the trainer? Will you look forward to coming to workouts with the trainer? A personal trainer can look good on paper or in person, but that doesn't mean the trainer is right for you.

What to Expect After You Hire a Personal Trainer

Once you've hired a personal trainer and are ready to begin your training sessions, here's what you should expect your personal trainer to do for you.

Evaluate your fitness level and goals. Before anything else, your personal trainer should assess your current physical condition and talk with you about your expectations for the training sessions. A personal trainer must know where you're starting from and where you want to go.

Give you a balanced workout program. Unless you specifically request otherwise, your workout program should include aerobic exercise, weight lifting and stretching.

Watch you closely. Your personal trainer should pay attention to your form and give you pointers throughout your workout sessions. Your personal trainer should also "spot" you when you're lifting weights - that is, be ready to grab the weight and give you some help if your muscles give out.

Measure your progress and reassess your goals. Your personal trainer should reassess your physical condition after several weeks of training and then continue to reassess your condition on a regular basis. Your personal trainer should also reassess your goals every few weeks to keep you motivated.

Listen to you. If you're feeling stagnant, overtrained or underchallenged, your personal trainer should alter your workout program.

Not use too much fitness jargon. Some fitness jargon is good for you to know, but you also need to understand what your personal trainer is saying.

Now that you know how to hire a personal trainer and what to expect from your personal trainer, your training sessions should be productive and enjoyable.

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