How to Pick a Personal Trainer

Q: What certification should I look for in a personal trainer?

Answer:

Most importantly, no certification will guarantee that someone is a great trainer. The information taught in almost all certifications is generally outdated and basic.

It is really up to the trainer to learn outside of the certification process. A good trainer will have a mentor (preferably many mentors) that has shown them how to successfully deal with many situations, train people efficiently and effectively, and how to design a great training program.

A good trainer should also possess critical thinking skills. They shouldn't simply do what all the other trainers are doing or copy workouts and exercises straight from a book or website.

If you are familiar with my training programs, you will know that they contain basic, no-fluff exercises. There's no standing on gym balls or other dangerous and relatively ineffective training methods. There is nothing in my programs that I can't justify. The trainer you choose should also be able to justify their exercise programs.

If I were picking a trainer, I'd insist on them meeting a very high level of criteria. After all, your trainer is in charge of your body and your health. You should demand a lot from your trainer. That's the only way your training will reach another level.

Feel free to email me for trainer recommendations throughout North America. I might be able to recommend someone for you.

How To Prevent Personal Trainer Burnout

Why did you decide to become a personal trainer? Was it your love of exercise? The rush you felt when you lifted a new max weight or beat your best time on the track? Maybe it was the thrill of being able to do what you love each day and help others to follow suite. Most likely it was your passion for fitness, and your passion for helping others, combined.

With clients who are dedicated and excited about their workouts, co-workers who share common interests and ideals, and constant access to exercise equipment and health food we have a wonderful and rewarding job.

Unfortunately, we usually end up with a few clients who make it difficult to stay passionate about our work. Some of our clients cancel at the last minute, or show up twenty minutes late. Some seem to expect us to lift the weight for them, on every rep of every set. And some simply want us to wave a magic wand and grant them new bodies on the spot.

While the former type of client fuels our fire, the latter snuff it out. So how do we keep our passion alive?

We take time to evaluate our situation, and make changes where necessary. There is no point in spending hours in the gym waiting for clients who do not show. Make a contract that states the amount of time you will wait before the session is canceled. Set up a prepay system; if the client has already paid for your service they are more likely to utilize it.

Get to know your clients on a non-exercise level. Find out their likes and dislikes, their hobbies and favorite types of music. This is done simply with a short questionnaire, in your introductory conversation, and over a period of time. Use this information to tailor their workouts. For example, if a client is a baseball fan incorporate some baseball drills into their warm up, or have them play catch or run bases as part of their cardio routine.

When your client has fun, you have fun.

Of course, sometimes it is more a matter over time that causes our passion to burn out. We tend to put so much effort into helping and pleasing our clients that we forget about ourselves.

Just as we plan our workouts and menus we need to plan time to relax. If you spend all day in the gym with clients, squeeze in a quick workout for yourself, and then rush home just to eat, sleep and wake up to start all over again, it's no wonder you're burnt out.

As fitness professionals we know that our muscles need adequate time to rest, refuel, and repair. The same goes for our mental and emotional health.

Perhaps this means taking a break from training clients on Saturday mornings, or making sure you are out of the gym by seven each evening. Maybe you need to schedule regular visits to a masseuse or buy tickets to your favorite sporting event or musician. Even spending as little as ten minutes in the sauna or whirlpool after your workout to simply relax and regroup could help.

Passion was what drove us to become fitness professionals, but it is not in endless supply. Take a look at your schedule and habits and then make the necessary changes. The spark of passion is always there, and just a small change can be enough to refuel the fire.

Tom Perkins is a fitness business coach/advisor, radio host, speaker, author and certified personal trainer/fitness nutritionist with more than 30 years in the fitness industry as both a consumer, fitness professional, and business coach/advisor.

Having owned six startups since 1990 Tom provides fitness businesses and professionals with the systems, tools and support they need to get to the next level and beyond, as well as the freedom and income to enjoy a unique quality of life.

What to Look For in a Fitness Coach

Half way through my year at UAA studying the fine art of Personal Training, my instructor asked us to write a mission statement and define what a Personal Trainer should be. I was already in the business before enrolling in this class so I thought I knew everything...wrong! It was really hard to define myself; so I had to think outside the box and then it became clearer. Let me share with you what I would define as an exceptional Trainer.

There are about 10 main elements that make a Coach outstanding. I will list them and then try to elaborate on each.

The most important factor a Trainer should possess is knowledge. Knowledge of the correct and safe exercises a client should be executing as well as sound nutritional advice. A knowledgeable Trainer should work with the population that she has expertise. A Trainer should be able to know the difference between "fads" and what really works. The Trainer should read and learn from creditable sources. She should know how to determine if an article is written by an educated individual or someone who is just trying to make a fast buck. A Trainer needs to be certified in her area of specialization.

The second element that I feel a Trainer needs to have is reliability. Reliable to me not only means that the Trainer will be where she's suppose to be on time and ready for work, but also that what she says can be "taken to the bank". Reliability and dependability are synonymous and should be equally important. The two words are interchangeable in the dictionary and another synonym is trustworthy. These are all qualities that I would look for if I were choosing a Personal Trainer.

When we mention trust we also bring up the issue of confidentiality. The relationship between a client and a Trainer should be along the same lines of Doctor/Patient relationship. More goes on between a Trainer and a client than just counting reps and changing weights. The Trainer is a helper and educator to the client. A helper is one who enables another to change. The Trainer's role is very complex because she acts as a teacher, a coach, a counselor, and a supporter. Trainers need to be very aware of their limitations and must never exceed the confines of their own expertise.

A good Trainer needs to be a people person. A trainer is asked to work with a lot of different types of people and she has to know how to relate to a number of distinct types of personalities. If a Trainer is personable she will be considered pleasant and friendly and I believe those are valuable tools for a Trainer to possess. A trainer needs to be a good listener. It's very important to listen to the client; don't just assume that you know what she wants. It's important for the trainer not just to listen.... but hear what the client is telling her.

A Trainer should be a role model. A Trainer should "practice what she preaches". A Trainer should exercise and eat well. The Trainer should promote healthy eating habits. A Trainer should not just "talk the talk" but "walk the walk".

A Trainer should consider safety above all else when setting up a program for a client. A Trainer needs to get medical history from his client and perform some basic fitness tests in order to set up a safe and effective training program.

A Trainer needs to be prompt and well organized. The Trainer needs to show the client how to keep accurate exercise logs to track fitness goals and strength gains.

A great Trainer will educate a client to become self-reliant. The Coach has done a great job when she can empower a client to go on alone. You need to ask a potential Trainer how long she thinks you will need to work with her. If she is unsure or says indefinitely, I would interview a few more Coaches and find one that wants to teach you how to workout on your own using your built in motivation.

A professional appearance is an important factor to me. While a Trainer is working with a client she should be in casual clothes that exercises could be easily demonstrated. My pet peeve is to see a scantily dressed Trainer working with a client. Some Trainers I've watched look at themselves in the mirror more than they ever look at their client.

Positive attitude and enthusiasm should be closer to the top of this list. All ten of these elements are important so don't think that they are in any order of significance. A Trainer works very closely with her clients and attitude and enthusiasm really count on the motivational meter. When you are searching for a Coach, talk to several and then pick the one that works best with your personality.

Sense of humor and availability. These two elements don't have anything in common or do they? If a Trainer has no sense of humor she is not going far. A Trainer should be able to laugh at herself and be able to joke with the client. One on one exercise is serious, but we must be able to have fun at the same time. I list sense of humor with availability because most people want a Trainer to be available at ANY time! I've been asked several times to be in two places at once!! Yeah, right!

Communication is a very important factor in the training world. If you and the trainer work together three times a week then a phone call in between sessions probably isn't necessary. If you are together less than 3 times a week it's a good idea to correspond with your trainer either by phone or email just to keep in touch and keep yourself motivated.

Working With a Personal Fitness Trainer

Some people have a difficult time motivating themselves to workout. Others may have a hard time figuring out which work outs are best for achieving their goals. If you are experiencing these problems, you may need to work with a fitness trainer.

Fitness trainers are great at motivating you to work out properly and stay fit. They have experience with fitness, and will often know what is best for you to achieve your goals. When it comes to fitness, there are a lot of gimmicks and products available which simply do not work.

You often have to make guesses to try and figure out what works best when you exercise alone. A personal trainer will be able to see past all the gimmicks and point you in the best direction. They will be able to see you from a different perspective than you see yourself, and can quickly find solutions to problems which are keeping you from achieving your goals.

When you work with a fitness trainer, they will set you up with a program which is tailored to your health, age, and fitness specifications. Your fitness trainer will set up a eating plan, strength training plan, cardiovascular plan, and a progress chart.

Probably the most important thing gained from working with a fitness trainer is self confidence. Having someone complimenting you on your hard work will make you feel good about yourself, and will push you to continue.

Many people choose to stop exercising because they are not seeing the results they want fast enough, or they've tried some special diet which hasn't worked. Working with a fitness trainer will help you choose the right diets and the right methods of working out. They will point you in the best direction possible.

You want to make sure to choose a fitness trainer who is certified. You want to make sure they have a proven track record of helping people become successful.

Four Things to Look For In Choosing a Personal Trainer

Is it time?

Time to quit making excuses for not exercising regularly?

Or - if you have been working out regularly - is it time to start seeing 

more results from all your hard work?

If your answer to either of those questions is "yes," then it just might be 

time to hire a personal trainer.

A personal trainer can be a great way to jump-start or improve a regular 

exercise routine. Hiring the right trainer can be motivating. It can make 

you accountable. Plus, a good personal trainer can teach you the proper 

way to exercise your way to a healthy, fit body.

But hiring the right personal trainer can be a bit tricky. Here are four 

things to look for when choosing a trainer who is right for you:

1. Experience- Get referrals from satisfied clients. Someone you already 

know who has had successful results working with this trainer. Find a 

personal trainer who knows how to teach strength training, cardio, and 

stretching, because you will need them all. All the certifications and 

degrees mean nothing if the trainer doesn't have a history of training 

many different levels of clients.

The trainer also needs maturity. You should also know that the level of 

instructional training can vary. Some personal trainers have exercise 

physiology degrees while others may have any number of personal 

training certificates. Choose someone who has a great deal of 

instructional training.

Interview the trainer; ask for a complimentary training session. The 

trainer should do a thorough assessment of your health and give you a 

demonstration of his/her training style.

2. Personal Appearance - You want someone whose personal 

appearance motivates you. Don't choose a trainer who is overweight or 

noticeably underweight. Choose someone who, for his/her age and sex, 

is obviously aware of the training, nutrition, and lifestyle that go into 

being in good physical shape.

Does a woman in excellent physical shape inspire or intimidate you? If 

you are a woman, female trainers will be especially sensitive to female 

concerns - things like hormones, menopause, motherhood, and other 

age-related body changes.

In choosing a male trainer, if you are a male, choose someone with the 

physical strength to take you to a level of lifting heavier weights. And, if 

you are a female, realize that a male will always be stronger and bigger 

than you, but he isn't going to turn you into a mini version of him.

3. Compatible Personality - Know what kind of training style will work 

best for you. Do you need a drill sergeant with little room for small talk? 

Do you prefer a firm, kind approach? Find someone you can build a 

relationship with.

Also, recognize this is your time. You may need to talk as you work out, 

to unwind and focus. Choose a trainer who always leaves you feeling 

better physically, and emotionally, when you leave your session.

4. Dependability - You're paying for a service that has little room for 

fluctuating changes, re-arranged times, and tardiness. Look for a trainer 

who identifies the days and time that will work best for you. A good 

trainer will hold you accountable for those times.

You should expect a signed agreement from the trainer that gives you a 

reasonable amount of time for a cancellation or rescheduling of your 

session without a charge. Trainers know that unexpected changes come 

up. They also know it is easy to bail because you're just not "in the 

mood." The trainer loses income if you depart from your schedule. Most 

importantly, you lose if you choose a trainer who doesn't hold you 

accountable.

Don't settle for a trainer who walks away and leaves you on a machine. 

No trainer should be grabbing a meal as he/she trains you. The same 

goes for taking phone calls. Unacceptable. The right trainer will give you 

his undivided attention to meet your needs.

It's your time to take direction and work hard. You should feel 

comfortable talking to your trainer without compromising your workout.

Watch out for the trainer who is checking himself out in the mirror more 

than making sure your form is correct. Speaking of mirrors, embrace 

them. You will quickly identify posture, correct form, and translate this 

over to working out on your own.

Working out can be a blast! Just be sure you choose the right personal 

trainer for YOU. If you do, you'll be more likely to stick to those workouts 

that will produce amazing results.

Beginners Guide to Personal Trainers

The Benefits of Using a Personal Trainer

Trimming down and maintaining your ideal weight can be hideously difficult. From eating the right food to choosing the right exercise and everything in between, one may invariably forget one pertinent detail or make a mistake regarding their diet and end up 10 pounds overweight or with bulging biceps when all you really wanted was to tone your muscles.

While the fee that a personal trainer may charge may make your knees bulk, wait till you read and learn about the benefits of hiring one.

Accurate Fitness Evaluation. Let's face it; a lot of us tend to over- or under-estimate our physical abilities and therefore end up with strained muscles and joints (which can lead to health problems) or a lax exercise regime (which lengthens the time enabling us to reach our fitness goals). However, with a personal trainer, your physical fitness will be accurately evaluated and you can be quite sure that whatever fitness program you end up with is the ideal one for you.

Motivation. It really is easier to exercise with someone around and a personal trainer is just the right person to have on your side if you have a fitness goal you're sweating to attain. A personal trainer will know exactly when he has to act as a tough general, a great source of encouragement and inspiration or simply as a friend to talk to and listen to your personal health woes.

Customized Fitness Program. Contrary to popular opinion, there's no such thing as an exercise or diet program that fits all. In short, what may work for others may not work for you and what may take others weeks to achieve may mean one year's worth of effort in your part. But how will you be able to determine what fitness program is best for you unless you consult an expert?

Safety.A lot of accidents can happen during unsupervised exercises so having a personal trainer will ensure that you are using health club equipment the right way. Not only does this prevent serious physical injuries, it ensures that you get the most out of your exercise routines.

The Need for Change. Perhaps one of the things that hits even the most health-conscious individual is boredom! Sometimes, all that one needs is a little change in one's exercise routine and with a personal trainer beside you, he or she can can come up with different exercise programs, all geared towards keeping you active and interested in going to the gym.

What to Look for in a Personal Trainer

So are you convinced now that a personal trainer is what you have been needing all this time? If so, following are some of the items you should look for in a personal trainer.

oEducation. Remember, you are relying on this individual to guide you in your fitness goals. As such, it is important that he or she is certified by reputable fitness organization such as ACSM or NSCA.

oExperience. It builds one's trust and confidence if you know that your personal trainer has had vast experience so be sure you know his or her credentials. Also, keep in mind YOUR fitness targets. For instance, if you are a bodybuilder, get a personal trainer who specializes in bodybuilding.

oPersonality. A great personal trainer is one who is dedicated to your fitness objectives. As such, he or she should be attentive to your needs, be a good listener and one who constantly keeps track of your progress or failures.

Seek and you Shall Find | the RIGHT Personal Trainer

Searching for the RIGHT kind of trainer is never easy. It is the measure of that person that you select that may ultimately determine what path your training takes and to what end you see results; whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.

Some trainers can say that they have forsaken Friends, Family, personal time, personal possessions, vacations, love, self happiness. These things, to many, tend to be the most important possessions of all.

The true essence of the business of personal training is (or should be) beyond just "losing weight" or "sculpting the body of your dreams", like your favorite infomercial promised. The ability to enact change and bring enhanced health, vitality, and emotional satiety within oneself is the greatest of achievements that a trainer can deliver. The greatest of trainers have given up anything and everything that is for themselves and have given 100% of their soul to the people that need them to be everything.

As a trainer, we try to give you our all! We help direct you to lead a healthier lifestyle. We try to do this without ever asking "what's in it for me?" Through our skills and abilities, we could help you to change your life and give you greater vitality; vitality that will give you years beyond an irresponsible handling of your health and wellness.

For some trainers who TRULY care about their own honor, name, and that of the business of personal fitness, we realize that it is the client that makes us who we are. It is the client that defines us as what it is that we truly are: A coach, A mentor, A trainer, A motivator, A Friend. Without asking for anything in return, you trainer should be giving that to you.

When you finally begin your quest to find that "Right" trainer, ask yourself if that trainer believes in you and that it is an honor that YOU have chosen THEM? Or, does your new trainer truly believe that it YOUR privilege to be trained by him and that YOU should feel that he (she) is the real reward??

Ask yourself:

Is my trainer passionate about me?

Have they given the fitness business and its people their all?

Have they sacrificed for their clients?

Will they sacrifice for me?

Will they give me 100% of themselves?

Can they give 100% of themselves?

Is the person to whom I will entrust my prized health and vitality a good and true person OUTSIDE of our training as well as in??

Are they a person of TRUE honor and integrity or are they the wolf in sheeps' clothing?

Will they give me the advice I need and do they themselves stand behind those suggestions behind closed and LOCKED doors?

So when you seek the guidance of a trainer or a professional to help you in your fitness endeavors, ask him or her to qualify themselves. Their passion for their work will ultimately reflect in you.