There are many reasons why people hire personal trainers: improving fitness, sports performance, strengthening up after an injury, or even just accountability for getting into the gym every week. Whatever your reason for hiring a trainer there are a few things you should think about before setting your money on the table.
1. Never settle for the trainer they randomly set you up with. A health club does not necessarily set you up with the trainer that would best suit you and your workout goals. In many cases they will set you up with the trainer that needs more clients.
2. Check your trainer’s qualifications. Best case scenario has you training with someone who has taken the time to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Human Performance, or anything related to health and fitness. In addition to that degree they will also maintain at least one nationally recognized certification. Some of the most credible certifications come from the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). There are numerous other certifications out there so a quick reference guide on them can be found at http://www.starting-a-personal-training-business.com/personal-training-certification-school.html
3. Ask for a trial run on training before committing to a large package of sessions. The trainer might look good on paper and visually fit the part of what a “good” trainer looks like, but do your personalities mesh? The training session should be an actual workout that caters to your workout goals and not just a basic fitness evaluation, which may have been marketed to you as a “free training session.”
4. Don’t be afraid to change trainers. If you get into training with one trainer and decide that you’re not enjoying your workouts or seeing the benefits you had hoped to, it is absolutely okay to change trainers. After all the workout is about you and the goals you have set for yourself.
Trainers are there for your benefit! Make sure that you hire one that is well qualified, easy to work with, and is willing to make a commitment to help you meet your workout goals. It’s your money, get your money’s worth!
If you need help finding a trainer check out the following links:
NSCA: http://www.nsca-lift.org/trainers/default.asp
ACSM: http://forms.acsm.org/_frm/crt/online_locator.asp
NASM: http://www.nasm.org/certificationsearch.aspx
Comments
I am really enjoying the articles that Angela has written. This one on trainers is informative. It is very helpful to know what certifications to look for. It is also nice to have the links to check out.
Thank you! Check back soon for articles relating to what goes into a good initial evaluation from a trainer and where you can find some of the best gyms in Chicago to train.
What if I want a trainer not from the big gyms? Where can you find qualified trainers outside the Big Box health clubs?
The links I provided at the end of the article will help you find trainers all over the country as well as in your area. Not all of these professionals they will lis work at the big chain gyms. I would search your area for smaller, private gyms and if you find a trainer you think you might want to train with, those links will also allow you to check that his credentials are real, not just something he or she slapped on their resume.
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