Qualities and characteristics you should look when hiring a personal trainer.
Hiring a personal trainer is a very important decision that should not be taken lightly. Your health is your most important asset, and staying physically fit and injury free is a critical portion of your health maintenance program.
But how do you know how to hire a personal trainer that is right for you? How do you know their program will work, that you will like it, and that you’ll be able to stick with this trainer long term – all before you lay down your hard earned money?
This post will help you figure out how to successfully navigate this selection process, by providing you with some guidelines for making a wise choice when it comes to choosing a personal trainer.
Before hiring a personal trainer, look at their credentials, education and experience
Do they have a college degree in a related field, or did they get an online certification in a weekend? How long have they been training people? Do they have experience training people like you, with a similar medical history, experience level and goals? Do they have any references or testimonials?
Naturally, you’d rather hire a personal trainer with a 4-year college degree in exercise science, with at least a year or two of training experience, who is familiar with people in your particular situation.
You wouldn’t hire a handyman to build your dream home – likewise, strive to find the best qualified professional you can to entrust your fitness program to.
Make sure their background matches your situation and goals
If all their experience is training high school and college athletes, and you’re 55 years old and have no workout experience and just had back surgery, you’re asking for trouble.
You want to make sure your new personal trainer has either helped people like you, or is like you themselves. Otherwise, they may not be in a position to really help you, despite their good intentions.
Make sure you’re OK with their personality and coaching style
If you respond best to someone who is empathetic and nurturing, and the trainer’s style is more like a drill sergeant, you’re going to start coming up with excuses not to attend your workout appointments.
Keep in mind you are entering into a long term relationship here, so make sure the personal trainer you hire is someone you think you can easily get along with for a long time.
Make sure their facility location is convenient
If you’re hiring a personal trainer who’s facility is way out of your way, you’ll be more likely to miss workouts. Try to look for something close to home, or on a route that you frequently travel, like to and from work.
Also be sure to check the trainer’s schedule to make sure it will match up with yours. If you need to workout at 6:30 AM before work, and the trainer you’re considering doesn’t start until 8, that’s not going to work.
Make sure you’re comfortable with the training methods before hiring a personal trainer
Every personal trainer has a different background and runs their training program slightly differently. One might have you use mostly weight machines, another might prefer a combination of free weights and body-weight exercises, and a third might have you carrying heavy sandbags.
Find out if their program something that suits you before you commit.
Try before hiring a personal trainer!
Any reputable personal trainer will give you a free introductory workout, to make sure you’re going to be happy with the training program. If they don’t offer that, that’s a big red flag.
Hiring a personal trainer without trying a workout is like buying a new car without test driving it. The best way to make sure you’ll be happy with it is to try before you buy!
Rock Solid Fitness offers a FREE Fitness Consultation and Workout Experience with a personal trainer in Dunedin FL. Schedule today to learn more about our unique program and feel the difference for yourself, with no cost or obligation, to see if it’s right for you.
So schedule today – You have nothing to lose, and a world of health benefits to gain!
