Get Personal: Working With a Personal Trainer

What do most actors, actresses, and professional athletes have in common? They all use personal trainers. Even if you’re not a professional athlete or a talented actor, you might still want to consider using a personal trainer. Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you just getting started or have you stopped making progress with your fitness program?
• Are you doing each activity in your program correctly?
• Do you want to add free weights or other equipment to your program?
• Have you been injured?
• Do you need some well-intentioned, well-informed motivation?
• Are you able to spend money on your physical activity program?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might enjoy using a personal trainer to give your fitness program a boost.

This Active Living article gives you some hints if you’re considering working with a personal trainer.

• It offers tips on how to find a trainer who is right for you.
• It gives you an idea of what you should expect from your personal trainer.

You wouldn’t make a major household purchase or hire a new babysitter or employee without doing a thorough investigation. It makes sense to use the same tactic when looking for a personal trainer. It’s important for your health, time, and finances.

First Things First

Most health and fitness facilities require certification of their personal trainers. However, if you are considering hiring an independent personal trainer, it’s buyer beware. So, first and foremost, make sure the trainer is certified!

But you want to work with a professional — someone who knows what he or she is doing. Your best bet is to work with a certified trainer or someone with a degree in exercise science or a certificate from a reputable sports and fitness organization.

In Your Space

Working with a personal trainer is a cozy experience because he or she will come inside your personal space. Personal space is the area immediately around you that you claim as your own. You may feel somewhat uncomfortable when others get into your space.

Your personal trainer may touch you to guide your movements, so make sure you’re comfortable with that. Decide whether you prefer a man or a woman. He or she should have a communication style (verbal and non-verbal) that you like. A trainer who speaks too softly or too loudly, who can’t describe what you need to do, or who doesn’t listen won’t be able to help you much (or at all).

On the Case

A personal trainer should start out by asking you about past or current medical conditions, injuries, and pains. He or she should assess your fitness level and physical activity history.

Your trainer may even evaluate your body composition — that is, determine how much of your weight is fat and how much is muscle. He or she may also evaluate your flexibility, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity (your ability to maintain physical activity over a period of time). Most importantly, let the trainer know what your fitness goals are because he or she will use this information to develop a program exclusively for you.

Expect your trainer to coach, teach, and motivate you in ways that match your style, personality, and goals. Some people claim that motivation is one of the most important things you can get from a personal trainer.

Take Your Wallet and Walk ...

• If your trainer has you lifting weights on your first visit. (You should start with an evaluation and discussion of your goals.)
• If your trainer keeps you in the dark. (Your trainer should be showing you a program, technique, and form that will allow you to continue your program on your own. Sure, you’ll want to check in occasionally, but your goal is fitness independence!)
• If your trainer starts your session by saying, “So, what do you want to do today?” (Your trainer should have prepared a program exclusively for you.)
• If your trainer doesn’t appear fit. How can you expect a trainer with love handles to help you trim yours?

Finding a Trainer

If you’ve decided to go trainer shopping, here are some questions to ask before you sign on the dotted line.

Certification

What organization is he/she certified by?

What continuing education seminars, workshops, and classes has your trainer candidate attended?

Is the trainer candidate certified in CPR and first aid?

Does he/she have liability insurance?

Is he/she willing to provide references?

Knowledge and Skills

How long has he/she been a trainer?

What types of clients has the trainer candidate worked with?

Does he/she keep records of clients’ workouts to track progress?

Does he/she routinely review clients’ progress and update their programs?

Does the trainer have a network of related professionals (such as doctors, physical therapists, registered dietitians, or massage therapists) that he/she can refer you to, if needed?

Cost

How much does the trainer charge? Is it a flat fee, per session, or per hour?

How long is each session?

What does each session include?

What other services are available, and is there a fee for them?

Does the trainer have packages of sessions with package prices?

What is his/her cancellation policy?

Summary

• If you’re willing to spend the money on a personal trainer, you should expect him or her to be certified, to start out with a thorough evaluation of your health and fitness level, and to work with you to set up goals and a program that are right for you.
• A trainer should develop an individual program for you and teach you correct technique and form so you can get the most out of your program and not hurt yourself.
• Trainers should teach you, coach you, and motivate you.
• Question trainer candidates about certification, expertise, experience, approach, and fees before making a choice.