Whether you plan to choose one of the personal trainers at your health club or you are searching for a trainer to come to your home, it is important to know what to look for and what questions to ask in the interview process.
Hiring a personal trainer is somewhat like hiring any employee. You need to know their history, their attitude and if they will be the right fit for your needs.
Certification And Education
One of the first questions you need answered is the personal trainer’s education. Do they have a bachelor’s degree in a health related field like Physical Education? Not many have four years worth of schooling, but they should be certified by one of the reputable personal trainer programs and have some on-going classes in their field.
A Personal Trainer should be certified through one of the reputable fitness organizations. It is important to ensure that their certification is current. You also need to realize that there is a marked difference between those Personal Trainers who are just certified and those who are certified and qualified to train clients. Besides checking certification credentials you need to check on the experience level, length of time training and possibly ask for several client references.
The following is a list of the legitimate Personal Training Certification Companies:
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
- American Fitness Professional and Associates (AFPA)
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Once you’ve ascertained which certification the personal trainer has, you can go online and see what the program entails and if it meets your specific needs. You need to make sure that the trainer you are considering can help you achieve your specific fitness goals.
If you want your training program to include nutrition and diet planning, this means they should be able to show you specific classes or programs that they’ve taken and passed in this process. The Personal Trainer you choose should be able to assess your personal fitness level and set goals for you. Then they should be able to design a training program to help you meet those goals and be able to outline their motivation techniques.
Additional Education
Besides the personal trainer certification, consider any nutritional training and ensure the trainer is has CPR and First Aid certification. Usually a trainer will provide a list or tell you in the beginning what type of training and certificates they have, but don’t be afraid to ask for a written list of their schooling so you can check out online the types of classes they’ve attended and certificates they hold.
Experience
You want to choose a Personal Trainer with several years of experience. The experiences that they’ve had should relate to your personal fitness goals. For instance, if you are recovering from a specific injury, the trainer should have rehabilitation experience and know how to work with your doctor and any explicit medical recommendations.
Personality
While interviewing prospective trainers, consider not only the trainer’s personality, but your own. Would you be more comfortable with a female trainer? Will a laid back personality be able to push you to meet your goals, or do you need a more focused and driven individual? You need to be compatible with your trainer. You definitely need one that will listen to you and pay attention to your health and progress while providing both motivation and helpful criticism.
Professionalism
This process is one that will probably take several months if not a year or more. Consider that you need someone who will be on time and ready for you when it is your appointment time. The Personal Trainer should be well groomed and fit. They should first do a very detailed assessment of your health and goals before starting your program. They should also lay out a time line and method for tracking your progress and making adjustments if needed.
Cost
The cost of having a personal trainer varies. You can expect to pay between $30 to $100 per session depending on if the trainer works for a local gym or heath club, or if the trainer works independently and has their own insurance. Generally the more experience the trainer has, the higher the hourly fee. Often a package or series of sessions can be more cost-effective.
Summary
Before signing up for the long-term with any trainer, it might be wise to have one or two sessions first to see how things work and what your impression is of the trainer. A Personal Trainer should concentrate on you and your actions during the session. They should be correcting your alignment as you work. Throughout the session they should explain what muscles you’re working and why, providing general guidance through fitness program. At the end of each session you should ask what you did right, what needs working on and be provided with a detail of what to do until your next session with the trainer.