How To Hire A Personal Trainer

A personal trainer can help you reach your fitness goals, but you need to know how to hire a personal trainer. Here is 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 high quality 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.

Here are some of the best organizations that certify personal trainers.

• Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• International Sport Science Association (ISSA)
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

University Degree - A fitness related bachelor's or master's 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 very impressive.

References - Good personal trainers have satisfied customers and won't hesitate to put you in touch with them. You should ask for references who are the same age and gender as you and whose fitness goals are similar to yours. This will help you determine whether the 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 so that he/she can handle emergency situations.

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

Schedule - What hours does the 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 him/her and go through a trial workout with him/her. Are the two of you compatible? Is the trainer professional, knowledgable, attentive, and motivating? Do you feel comfortable working out with him/her? Will you look forward to coming to workouts with him/her? A trainer can look good on paper or in person but that doesn't mean he/she is right for you.

What To Expect From Your Personal Trainer

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

Evaluate your fitness level and goals. Before anything else, your trainer should assess your current physical condition and talk with you about your expectations for the training sessions. A 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 trainer should pay attention to your form and give you pointers throughout your workout sessions. Your 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 trainer should reassess your physical condition after several weeks of training and then continue to reassess your condition on a regular basis. Your 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 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 trainer is saying.

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