What to Look for in a Personal Trainer
Is He or She a Certified Personal Trainer?
Make sure to ask a prospective trainer what certifications he or she has achieved. This is extremely important. Ask to see the trainer’s certifications. They should be happy to show them to you, and they should be current and up to date. Also, remember that not all personal training certifications are alike. Be very leery of trainers who have gotten certifications through a study and testing course over the internet. A reputable training certification organization will have physical testing sites where prospective trainers must go to take their certification exam. Some of the most reputable training certification organizations are the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), The American Council on Exercise (ACE), and The National Strength Professionals Association (NSPA).
Are they Focused on You
A client once gave me one of the greatest compliments I could ever receive as a trainer. He told me, “Tom, I feel as though I’m your only client”. At the time I had almost a full docket of clients and was training on average seven hours of an eight-hour shift, five days a week. If you have a competent professional trainer, who loves the job and is truly interested in the people he or she trains, then you should be having the same experience. You should be getting your trainer’s undivided attention for the entire length of your training session. If you’re getting anything less than that, it’s time to find another trainer.
How do they look?
Obviously, your personal trainer’s appearance is something to consider. His or her outward appearance is a direct reflection of how serious and committed they are to the job. If you have a trainer who looks as though they just rolled out of bed to train you, perhaps they’re not taking their job seriously enough. You should expect your trainer to have excellent personal hygiene as well as a clean and pressed uniform or sweatsuit. Basically, they should appear as fitness professionals.
Do they practice what they preach?
Your trainer should be a shining example of health, both in exercise technique, nutrition, and habit. If they engage in unhealthy behavior, how can they set an example and inspire you to reach your fitness goals and enjoy better health?
