Selecting the appropriate personal trainer could potentially change your fitness life! Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, build endurance, or improve your lifestyle in general, a certified personal trainer can provide you with the direction, accountability, and individualized programs you will need. Unfortunately, there are so many trainers to choose from it is sometimes hard to know which one is the best for you. This blog will highlight the seven considerations you should account for to select a personal trainer who is going to be able to help you effectively reach your fitness goals while keeping you safe.
Understand Your Fitness Goals Clearly
Before you begin your search for a personal trainer, it is crucial to identify your fitness objectives. Are you dealing with weight loss, muscle building, flexibility, endurance, or rehabilitation? Whatever your goals are, clearly identifying them will help you find a trainer who specializes in that area. Some trainers may be primarily focused on bodybuilding; others may have more interest in developing athletic performance, while others may solely be interested in post-injury rehabilitation. Having an understanding of your goals allows you to look for professionals who have similar goals and the best chance of success for you!
Check Qualifications and Certifications
To ensure quality and safety in your workout regimen, you should check to see if the trainer has quality certifications. Look for certifications that are reputable organizations. Having a certification from one of these reputable organizations means that the trainer has gone through the education and training to learn anatomy, exercise science, and nutrition. When you find a potential trainer, you should also ask them if they have a specialty, for example, strength conditioning, functional training, or corrective exercise. Checking credentials will help you find a trainer who is not qualified and give you a knowledgeable person to help guide you based on your body.
Evaluate Experience and Client Testimonials
An experienced trainer will have likely developed an understanding of working with various clients, even the most challenging, and can make the workouts appropriate for the different levels of fitness. When looking for a trainer, ask them how long they have been in business and what types of clients have they worked with. Client testimonials and reviews can also offer value to a trainer’s professionalism, reliability, and success rate. Look for trainers who have proven feedback from past clients and a solid track record of helping them reach their goals, as these trainers will remember you allowed them to support you and provide you with a great fitness experience.
Consider Compatibility and Communication Style
Your trainer will be an instrumental part of your fitness experience, so personal class is also crucial. When meeting for the first time, consider how well the trainer communicates with you and if their style of communication ignites motivation in you. Some trainers maintain a strict approach to training, while others may use a gentler and encouraging tone. The trainer’s personality, as well as the style and method of training, should match your expectations, so you don’t lose motivation and accountability. You will want to have open and clear communication so you can express your physical concerns, how advancing you might be feeling in terms of your body progressing, or if something hurts during your workouts.
Assess Customization and Program Design
A good personal trainer will not give you the same program everyone else receives. A good trainer will assess your fitness level, as well as your goals and health issues, as part of their design process. Ask them if they complete a fitness assessment upon the first meeting and design a program from that. If a program is tailored to you, your workouts will be more effective, less injurious, and more engaging. Finally, ask the trainer if the program will change over time as your fitness level increases or if the trainer will (or can) incorporate nutritional advice to accommodate your training. Personal training programs are to reflect your practice life as much as possible.
The Closing Thoughts
Personal training can be expensive, so it is vital to understand how pricing works, whether that is a price per session, a package, or a month-to-month rate. While price is a factor that weighs into your decision, remember that when investing one’s decision should be based on the quality of the experience rather than a low price. Deciding on the right personal trainer takes a lot of thought regarding your goals, their qualifications and experience, and how you feel you connect with the trainer.