Choosing a personal trainer can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Hiring the wrong person can result in unwelcome injuries or dissatisfaction with your workout routine. The following suggestions will help you find the right person for you and expect when working with them.
Working Experience and Specialization Area
The number of years in practice can be a good indicator of how well they know what they’re doing. However, it is essential to note that some trainers specialize in specific areas.
A personal trainer who has worked with clients with your specific goal for a long time is more likely to assist you in reaching it than one who specializes in another type of training. It may require a little more research on your part, but don’t be afraid to ask questions or try out different fitness trainers before deciding on one.
Research Your Trainer & Facility for Credentials
Not all states or provinces have regulations governing trainer certification, and some personal training services are entirely unregulated in some areas. Inquire about a physical therapist’s certification and whether there is a governing body that oversees their practice.
You can, for example, look up Elevate Training Centre facilities in Stafford to see if they are certified. Elevate Training Centre is a fitness bootcamp in Brisbane specializing in various fitness activities, including nutrition, aligning fitness, and physiotherapy.
Ask for References and Questions
If you have had contact with a personal trainer who has treated you professionally via email, phone, or Skype, then this next step is critical. Always contact the provided references and inquire about their experiences with the personal trainer.
Speaking with a familiar friend about your goals and how you intend to achieve them will give you a better idea of what it would be like to work with that fitter in person. If they don’t give you a good account of their experience, move on because there are plenty of other trainers to try. Also, ask them how they will help you achieve your goals. Some of these goals include:
- What they will do to help you lose weight or gain muscle.
- How many times a week will they train you.
- How eating healthy will aid the process.
- And if the training sessions will be one-on-one.
- These questions will assist you in selecting the best personal trainer for your needs.
Business Policies and Insurance Liabilities
Make sure you understand what it is you are signing up for before making any long-term commitments. This includes finding out who takes responsibility if an injury occurs during your training sessions or what happens if you cancel your membership or service agreement with them.
Do they take down payments, require monthly payments, bill you in advance, provide terms and conditions? Cancellation fees? It would help if you were comfortable answering all these questions before hiring a personal trainer. If they hesitate in giving precise answers, then move on to the next candidate.
Education
Education can be a good indicator of how well you will work with a personal trainer and your goals. Some employers look for personal trainers with certification, a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and even a doctorate.
It is always worthwhile to inquire whether they offer professional development courses through nationally-recognized organizations. Some of these organizations include:
- ACE (American Council on Exercise).
- NETA (National Exercise Trainers Association).
- ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association).
Bottom Line
Finding a good personal trainer can be difficult. However, if you follow these steps, you should be one step closer to finding your ideal personal trainer. If they are starting in their business career, it is also critical that you are ready, willing, and able to help them. This entails paying lower fees and being flexible with scheduling for the time being so that you can reap the benefits once they have more experience.
About the Author
Caroline is a writer with years of experience in business administration. She is passionate about travelling, exploring new places and cultures, and learning new languages. Find Caroline on Twitter @BCarolinebird12.
