I had a conversation with someone the other day about finding a personal trainer and how difficult it can be.
You google around ending up to different websites trying to gain an understanding where to find a trainer that’s right for you.
Not many trainers, even the really good ones, have a website or google presence at all. And even if you end up finding a few, that doesn’t mean that every personal trainer offers a one-size-fits-all approach.
Choosing a personal trainer is a lot like choosing a trusted beautician, doctor or a therapist. You want to ensure that the one you’re working with is right for you and your needs.
How can you approach this choice?
QUALIFICATIONS
This goes without saying. Make sure that your personal trainer has received both educational and practical fitness training. Most personal trainers are either exercise physiologists or certified personal trainers. And they hold nationally accredited certifications. However, this doesn’t mean the trainer has an extensive experience providing hands-on assistance and guidance to clients.
EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
If the information is not listed on their website or other information source, you may want to ask about their experience as well as about their specific area of expertise. If your goal is weight loss and general fitness, you will feel out of place with a specific strong man trainer. Good trainers have a solid experience and usually a particular expertise that they specialise in, whether it is weight loss, diet, weightlifting, pregnancy training or general fitness.
ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATES & COURSES
The more additional courses and education the trainer has done on top of their initial qualifications the better. Great trainers that can help you with more than one goal or issue are worth investing the money and your time. Even though in Australia personal trainers have a legal requirement to have an official certification, the profession itself is relatively unregulated and most trainers work as contractors with minimal mentoring from more experienced professionals or without requirements for further education. Any additional qualifications such as yoga, Pilates, dance, strength & conditioning, master trainer, and weightlifting coach are a great way to tell that the trainer is further educating themselves.
PERSONALITY
The importance of personality is vital. It is called personal training after all, right? Admittedly, you may not get a good sense of your personal trainer’s personality until you have your first session with them but in this time of social media, I highly recommend to follow them on Instagram, Facebook and other possible social platforms to get a better picture of their personality and
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY & TRAINING STYLE
- What are their hobbies and interests outside of training clients?
- Do they play any sport?
- Do they compete in some sport?
- Do they walk the walk?
Ultimately, a good personal trainer is going to push you out of your comfort zone. However, how they go about doing it and the attitude they have during your workout matters. Some people prefer a heavy dose of positive support while others prefer a tough-love approach. A good trainer will have this conversation with you and will be able to accommodate your training sessions accordingly.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
Location is not on the list because in my experience, if and when you find the trainer that you click with you may want to consider even slightly inconvenient location. You are way better off spending more time commuting to a great trainer who will help you to achieve your goals, gives you energy and you have fun with on every session, rather than picking the second best option at the gym downstairs of your apartment then leaving drained and unsure from each session.
The appearance of the trainer is not on the list either, even though I know for a fact that for some this is a big factor when finding a trainer. Some of the most amazing trainers don’t have shizzeled six-packs and huge biceps. Passion, on the other hand, changes everything. A great trainer is passionate about helping their clients to achieve their goals. They are also realistic and honest about how they are planning on guiding you there.
Trial session or phone conversation prior to your first training session is a great way to ask these questions and you can get an idea if they walk the walk and practice what they preach.
If you’d like to talk about starting personal training then feel free to get in touch now.
