Four Tips for Finding a Good Personal Trainer

A good personal trainer can be one of the best investments you ever make in your health.

Finding the wrong one though...that can be a large waste of money, not to mention a mutually frustrating experience for both of you.

Here's how to avoid that.

FINDING A GOOD PERSONAL TRAINER CAN TAKE SOME WORK

While being conveniently located, having a schedule that matches yours, having a body that doubles as a great business card and having specialties that match your goals are important, here are four other essential questions worth answering about the person you're considering hiring:

TIP #1

How Much Experience do They Really Have? In other words how many people like you have they trained and what have they personally accomplished in exercise? Both are important. Nothing compensates for breadth of experience. You want a trainer who knows what it feels like to be in the shoes they might put you in, and who can lead you through the process.

Another important question regarding experience is: How many hours of experience do they have vs. how many years? In a couple years or less, a full-time trainer can have thousands of hours of experience to draw upon. In contrast, a trainer with “15 years of experience” may have only been working part-time with the same two people. What is the breadth (age, demographic, goals, etc.) of their clientele?

TIP #2

Is Their Passion for What They Do Obvious? If not, it probably won’t be after you’ve purchased some sessions either. Unfortunately, even the fitness industry is not immune to having “professionals” who are bored with their work. Any of us can feel stale if we sit on what we know for too long. Trainers are no different.

Passionate trainers not only practice what they preach, they are plugged into networks that keep them motivated and current with the latest research and industry trends. Passionate trainers are always looking to enrich their client’s experience. The others just count reps and collect a paycheck. If you hire a trainer, his or her energy (or lack of it) is part of what will fuel (or dampen) your workouts. Find a trainer whose enthusiasm is contagious.

TIP #3

Do They Possess a Combination of Confidence and Humility? Good trainers are confident, but not cocky. Interviewing a trainer should give you confidence that they have tools that can change your life, but you should also see a humble side of them that recognizes they don’t know everything.

Confident trainers convey that with well-crafted routines and attention to detail – you cannot help but see results. Humble trainers also recognize that you are not a carbon copy of anyone else and that this journey of helping you be a better version of yourself will be a learning experience for both of you.

TIP #4

Do They Understand Their Role as a Part of “Team You”? Good trainers understand and demonstrate there is more to vitality than just a good workout. They understand their work with you is only a portion of what makes you whole and healthy. Such trainers are typically plugged into a network of other health and wellness professionals who can help you accomplish your health goals and, in turn, benefit more from the wonderful world of exercise.

I hope this gave you some great questions to think through before you make this very important investment in your health!

Until next time,

Christian

PS. If you could use some professional exercise guidance, but hiring an in-person trainer isn't a fit right now, among other things, our Transformational Weight Loss Academy is built to help you become your own personal trainer.

A personal trainer can be a great investment, but if you know it's not a forever solution, knowing how to plan your own workouts (and not hurt yourself) is an invaluable skill you'll use the rest of your life.