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FIND THE BEST PERSONAL TRAINER FOR YOU

By Shannon Corey

How do you know what to look for when you decide to work with a personal trainer? Whatever your motivation is for starting an exercise program, you must learn how to exercise safely and how to achieve your desired results. Here are some tips for finding a personal trainer to jump start your program.

Congratulations on your decision to begin an exercise program or to take your program to the next level. Now that you have made the decision to work with a personal trainer, how do you find someone who will work well with you? Do you know where you will be working out? If you plan on exercising at home, you will need a personal trainer who does in-home training. If you are a member of a gym or health club, you may decide that working with a personal trainer there will work best for you. Once you have decided where you will be training, please do the following research to find the best trainer for you.

First, ask your prospective personal trainer what his/her qualifications are. As a fitness professional, I believe that the most important part of a trainer/client relationship is the ability to effectively communicate with one another, but I also realize the importance of a solid education in exercise science and program design. A person may have all of the credentials in the world, but if h/she is unable to inspire you to get fit and stay fit, then credentials mean very little. However, it is possible to find an appropriately credentialed personal trainer whose personality works with yours. Obtaining a personal training certificate has never been easier, so finding a "certified personal trainer" is not challenging. There are several excellent certifications for personal trainers to posess, so please research the prospective trainer's certification before trusting that it is legite. While these are not the only acceptable personal trainer certifications, here are five legitimate certifications to look for:ACSM, ACE, NSCA, NASM, and YMCA. Each of these certifications gives a personal trainer the technical knowledge to design a safe and effective exercise program, and each requires proof of knowledge through testing before certification is granted. Also, in order to remain certified, a personal trainer is required by all of these organizations to complete several hours of continuing education and renew the certification every two years. If you are looking for a personal trainer in your area, check out www.ideafit.org or www.acefitness.org for a list of personal trainers and their contact information. If you require more qualifications than a personal training certificate and several hours of personal training experience, you may prefer training with someone with a college degree (bachelors or masters) in exercise science or a related field. Once you have created your list of prospective personal trainers whose qualifications meet your expectations, conduct interviews to decide which trainer you feel the most confident in and comfortable with.

Next, decide where will you be meeting with your trainer. While many people enjoy the convenience of working with a personal trainer at a gym or health club, many prefer the privacy of their own homes. If you have decided to hire a trainer at your gym or health club, spend a couple of weeks watching all of the trainers with their clients. Are they paying attention? Do their clients look like they are enjoying the experience? Do the trainers look, act, and sound professional? Once you have watched all of the trainers, narrow your search down to your top two or three choices. Find out what their qualifications are, and also ask if they are accepting new clients or when they are available. If you have decided to have a personal trainer come to your home, ask what his/her qualifications are, and ask for proof of professional liability insurance. You will then need to find out what equipment you need to buy, or if the trainer will be bringing equipment to you. Most importantly, no matter where you decide to do your training, ask for references from past clients. Ask to speak with people with goals similar to yours, and find out what kind of results they achieved while working with your prospective trainer. When you decide which trainer you would like to work with, inquire about rates, cancellation policies, and scheduling.

Finally, please get started immediately on your program. Once you have decided on your trainer and all of the details of where and when you will be exercising, do not wait to get started. The best time to start an exercise program is right now because right now you are motivated, your goals have been established, and you have found the right person to help you achieve your best results.

About the Author:

Shannon Corey is a certified personal trainer in Lake Oswego, OR. Visit her at www.shannoncoreyfitness.com