How To Choose The Right Personal Trainer
Certification is the first thing to look for
A personal trainer should be certified because that's your assurance you're working with a trainer who has the knowledge to provide you with a safe and effective workout. Not just any certification will do. You want a personal trainer who has been certified by a nationally recognized certifying organization, like ACE, which happens to be the largest non-profit fitness-certifying organization in the world.
Certification is more than a piece of paper. For example, to qualify for ACE certification, a personal trainer has to pass an intensive three hour, 150-question exam and written simulation that covers exercise science and programming knowledge, including anatomy, kinesiology, health screening, basic nutrition and instructional methods.
After checking certification, there are a few other things you should take into consideration when hiring a personal trainer. Many require asking direct questions.
A checklist to help you hire the right personal trainer:
•
Ask for references
Ask the trainer for the names and phone numbers of other clients with
goals similar to yours. Call to see if they were pleased with their workouts,
if the trainer was punctual and prepared, and if they felt their individual
needs were addressed. The best personal trainer to hire is the one others
give high marks to.
•
Make sure the trainer has liability insurance and provides business policies
in writing
Many personal trainers operate as independent contractors and are not
employees of a fitness facility. You should find out if the trainer you
want to hire carries professional liability insurance.
A reputable personal trainer should also make sure you understand the
cancellation policy and billing procedure. The best way to avoid confusion
and to protect your rights is to have those policies in writing.
•
Look for a trainer who is able to assist you with your special needs
A personal trainer should always have you fill out a health history questionnaire
to determine your needs or limitations. If you have a medical condition
or a past injury, a personal trainer should design a session that takes
these into account. If you're under a doctor's care, a personal trainer
should discuss any exercise concerns with your doctor, and should ask
for a health screening or release from your doctor.
•
Find out what the trainer charges
Rates vary, depending on the trainer's experience, and the length and
location of the workout session. For example, a personal trainer who works
in a fitness club will probably charge less per hour than one who works
independently and needs to come to your home or office.
•
Decide if this is someone you can work with
Some people like to exercise in the morning, some in the evening. Will
the personal trainer you're talking to accommodate your schedule? What
about the trainer's gender? Some people do better working with a trainer
of the same sex; others prefer the opposite sex.
The
personal trainer you select should motivate you by positive, not negative,
reinforcement. Even more important, that trainer should be someone you
like.
Ask yourself if you think you could get along well with the trainer. Ask
yourself, too, if you think the trainer is genuinely interested in helping
you.
The personal trainer who best measures up is the one to hire. Because that's the professional who will help you get the best results.
Fit Facts are taken from ACE FitnessMatters® magazine. Want more information like this delivered directly to your home? ACE FitnessMatters, a bimonthly magazine, is the source for the most accurate, up-to-date fitness information you need to live a healthy, active life. Subscribe to ACE FitnessMatters online at http://www.acefitness.org/fitnessmatters or call 1-800-825-3636.
The American Council on Exercise® of San Diego, California (ACE®) does not endorse or promote the companies, products or services that reside on this website. ACE does not receive revenue generated from any organizations that advertise on this website. Copyright 2005 American Council on Exercise. All Rights Reserved.