Many of you have asked me to refer you to a personal trainer in your area. I can't always recommend a particular personal trainer where you live, but here are some tips to help you choose one:
First of all, try to come up with a big pool of trainers to choose from. You can do this by searching the database of Ace certified personal trainers at www.acefitness.org. Other popular certifications, such as ACSM and NASM can also refer you to certified trainers. You can also do a search on the internet. Just type: "certified personal trainer" and (your city, state) into a good search engine, like www.google.com. You can also visit your gym or a local training studio and meet and interview potential trainers in person. Though they don't usually advertise free interviews, most trainers will meet with you for free so you can ask them questions about their training style, etc.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Do I prefer training with a trainer of my same sex? Or would I prefer to work with someone of the opposite sex? Or don't I care?
Would I be comfortable training in front of other people, like in a public gym or outdoors? Do I prefer training in a private studio or a women-only facility? Would I rather pay a little extra for the privilege of training in my own home?
Do I like to be pushed hard? Do I want someone with a soft voice and a patient attitude, or someone who will yell excitedly and wave his/her arms while I'm working out? What personality style do I tend to feel most comfortable with?
How much can I afford to pay? It's best to determine this on a monthly basis, because your trainer can adapt your program to have fewer or more sessions (and more or less homework on your own) according to your budget.
Does this trainer look like I want to look? It's a good idea to find a trainer who practices what s/he preaches. Does the trainer follow his/her own advice for workouts and nutrition?
Here are some questions to ask the trainers:
Are you certified? If so, with which certification(s)? It's a good idea to write down the trainer's certifications and then read up about them online. There are so many certifications out there that it's good to check them out. Some to watch for are ACE (American Council on Exercise,) NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine,) and ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine.)
Do your follow your own recommendations? (I know this may be tough to ask, but it's really useful to know.)
What is your training style?
Do you give nutritional training or advice?
How long will my sessions be? How much do you charge per session?
Can I speak with a few of your clients? (Referrals.)
A personal trainer can dramatically improve your weight-loss results. They provide information, motivation, accountability and support. Using these tips, you can find the perfect personal trainer for you.
One final bit of advice- if you don't like your personal trainer, do not stick with him/her! I am always hearing about people who are unsatisfied with their trainers, but continue anyway. Fire your trainer and go find one that better meets your needs. Personal training is expensive, and you deserve the best!
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If you have questions about this article or about how to reach your own fat loss, weight loss and fitness goals, please click on the "Contact" link at the top of the screen or click here to email a certified personal fitness trainer.
