A personal trainer can help you reach your fitness goals while having fun.
The image bank and Andersen Ross have the same credit.
Sometimes we need an extra push to start working out. A personal trainer is needed here. They can provide a plan and help you adhere to your goals and perform moves safely.
You might have to kiss a few frog to find the right trainer. There’s no shortage of fitness pros these days, and they’re all on social media.
If you want to inquire about personal trainers at a gym, you should go to a big box gym.
Referrals are one of the best ways to find a personal trainer. If you know someone who has had first-hand experience with a specific trainer, you can get an idea of how effective they are. It’s not a guarantee that the trainer will be a good fit for you, but a recommendation from someone you respect and someone who has gotten good results may make you feel better.
Half of the fight is where to look. You have to decide which option is best for you.
5 Questions for Finding the Right Personal Trainer
There are some questions that are worth asking if you find a good match. Our experts tell us what to look for and what to ignore.
A certified personal trainer is knowledgeable about the body, how to train it and the science behind what works and what doesn’t. The National Strength and Conditioning Association, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and the American College of Sports Medicine are organizations that certify athletes. These certifications are given from accredited organizations that make sure trainers know their stuff through exams.
It’s important to make sure the person you choose is certified and up to date. Every two years I have to complete a specific number of hours of continuing education classes in order to keep my certification as a trainer.
Someone with a degree in movement science could be an indicator of expertise. This doesn’t make someone a good trainer, but it is a sign that they have a command of the science.
Tara Nicolas says that specializations are a good sign. She says it showsVersatility in their training skills. Expertise in one area doesn’t mean expertise in another. If you’re pregnant, you should look for someone who’s trained in the area.
Nicolas searched for a person with a different focus than her own. She wants to learn and grow while working with kettlebells. I don’t have a lot of barbell experience, so I need someone who can help me expand beyond what I know.
2. Do They Have Actual Training Experience?
Practical, hands-on experience is what certification really means, meaning time in the gym actually training someone. If you needed a triple bypass, would you prefer the person in medical school who only knows about the procedure or the doctor who has done it?
The trainer’s experience will usually show a group of clients. “If you’ve been training for a long time and you’re not busy, that’s a red flag,” Ross says. Someone who does not have a problem retaining clients is the goal.
3. Do Your Personalities Mesh?
It’s important that your trainer is a people person. Ross says that you’re dealing with different emotions and people coming in and out of a bad day. You have to be able to handle that. Trainers have the best personality.
It’s important to get along with this person if you’re spending an hour or so with them. National recommendations say adults should do strength-training of moderate or greater intensity for at least two days a week.
We’re not just talking about your form, your trainer should be working on it if necessary. They have been interested in you and your progress. They’ve done a personal assessment to see where you’re at. They are looking at your needs and wants. During your actual session, they are focused on you and not on their phones.
Nicolas wants to know if you have communicated with your trainer places where you are prone to pain and injury and the trainer is giving you exercises that make it worse. She says it’s time to leave if you’re not listening to her. Ross concurs. He says that the trainer has to keep programming and science in mind when adapting.
A personal trainer can cost as much as $100 a month. It can be worth it. Chronic health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and even depression can be checked with regular strength training.
If someone’s fee isn’t within your budget, ask for rates up front. It’s important to note that price is related to experience. Some people look at the price and think “Oh, I want to just get X trainer because they are cheaper” If the price means inexperienced trainers, you may not be getting a better value.
Nicolas says for her, it comes down to the vibes. She wants to feel like she’s in a safe space, like you’re listening to her and not just telling her what to do. You’re working with me to create something that feels good for me and that we can build on in a safe, fun, healthy way.
