10 Things To Consider Before You Choose A Personal Trainer
Finding the right personal trainer is a big step in your fitness journey and you should feel good about the decision that you’re making. Here’s what to look for
Are you ready to take the plunge and hire a personal trainer to help you reach your fitness goals and take your mind and body to the next level?
There are many capable, motivational fitness trainers out there, but it’s never a one-size-fits-all situation. Different trainers have different strengths, and who you choose should depend on your needs as an individual.
Let’s take a look at 10 things to consider before settling on a personal trainer for your own journey:
Personal trainer with his client woman on cycling machine at the gym
1. Look For a Personal Trainer With the Right Credentials
Right up front, you want to look for a personal trainer that has the right certification in their area of expertise. By doing this, the trainer is able to show that they’ve met a level of professionalism and competence that you would expect as their regular client. There might be some trainers who offer very inexpensive sessions but who are unable to provide the credentials that another educated trainer can offer.
2. The Right Experience
A trainer who has been in the business for years has had time to learn the ropes, work with many different types of people and their varying needs, and hone their skills. You might get a better deal working with someone new to training, but trusting someone with previous experience is usually less risky. Experience provides a trainer with the ability to work with people with a variety of challenges and goals, and this will serve you as the client.
3. The “Right” Personality
Personality matters when choosing a personal trainer that will mesh well with you. Some people respond well to a trainer that acts more like a drill sergeant who won’t take any excuses. Others prefer someone who offers up a lot of positive reinforcement. Know yourself and what motivates you and then look for a trainer who can give you the boost you need day after day.
4. Their Philosophy
An important part of choosing a good personal trainer is understanding their philosophy. Ask about how they developed their training program, what beliefs their methods are based on, and what they expect from you each day. Will they expect lots of free weights? Will you be expected to weigh your food and meal prep each week? You want to find a trainer with a philosophy that you can get on board with.
5. Their Specialities
If you’re looking for a specific skillset with the personal trainer that you hire, you need to seek out someone with those specialities. If you’re hoping to train in powerlifting, you need a trainer who specializes in just that. If you’re looking to improve your endurance, a trainer who specializes in running might be a good fit.
Choosing a trainer with a speciality not only ensures that they’ll know what they’re doing, but that they’ll be passionate about that area of training as well.
6. Cost
Cost is a factor when choosing a trainer. You might find the perfect person who you’re really interested in working with, but if their hourly rate is far beyond what you can afford, it’s not going to work. Overall cost varies widely depending on a trainer’s experience, certifications, and even their location.
While you need to consider your budget when choosing a trainer, it’s also important to remember that you get what you pay for. If you’re simply looking for the cheapest option, you probably won’t get the quality training that you need to really reach your goals. If you’re serious about seeing results, paying for someone who understands the nutrition aspect paired with the training is worth their weight in gold.
7. Availability
Consistency counts when working with a personal trainer, so you need someone who has a schedule availability that matches up with your own. If the trainer in question is already booked up with many clients and only has the middle of the afternoon twice a week to meet with you, and you need early mornings 5x a week, you might need to look elsewhere.
8. Location
Another big factor when choosing a trainer is their location. If they’re located 30 minutes away and you already have to fight yourself to get up early and get motivated to work out, you might be further hindered to commit if the distance to get to your session is long.
Location also comes in to play in regards to where you’ll be working out. Does the trainer work out of an industrial-style gym? Do they conduct most of their sessions outside? How much does this matter to you?
Even better is if you can find a trainer who offers workouts that you can access from the convenience of your own home. Especially during a time where people are less able to workout at the gym freely due to a pandemic, being able to workout from home, or anywhere else you have internet access, will further ensure you get your workouts in.
9. Progress Markers
The trainer you hire should have a reliable method for tracking progress so that you, as their client, are able to see how your work is paying off. They might measure weight loss, PR’s, strength gains, endurance ability, and so on.
A good trainer will also make adjustments each time you meet to help you stay on track and see the progress you’re looking for. As your body changes, your training needs will change, and a reliable trainer knows that your training methods should grow with you.
10. Their Reputation
The best trainers have a reputation that proceeds them due to many satisfied clients. If you come across a trainer that can show proof of good results and their clients have positive things to say about working with them, you can count on getting similar results as long as you also put in the necessary work.
Discover the Perfect Trainer Today
Now that we’ve discussed 10 things to look for when choosing a personal trainer, we invite you to see what our expert team has to offer.
Our trainers are the best of the best and offer a variety of skills and expertise to meet you with where you’re at and push you to where you want to be. Contact us today to learn more about our trainers and to set up a free consultation.