How To Choose A Personal Trainer

How do you know you have a good trainer?

There is little regulation in becoming a trainer. This is why it’s good to look for certain things. Here are some important questions to have in mind while your testing out a new trainer.

  • Do they have a degree and/or certification?

  • Do they practice what they preach?

  • Do they have relevant experience?

  • Do they give you training on days you don’t see them

  • Do they help you organize your nutrition

  • Do they touch on sleep, stress and recovery practices

  • Are you hitting the following in their training program (10 physical skills, 7 functional movement patterns, 3 modalities, 3 energy systems)?

  • Do you test to see if you improved?

  • Do you put competitions or testers on the calendar?

  • Do you enjoy being around them?

  • Are they able to scale/modify workouts affectively?

  • Do they assess injuries well?

Why you should find a trainer

Their are many different reasons to train with a coach. Some find coaching because they are not quite sure where to start to improve their fitness. For others it’s to obtain a particular performance goal. Additional reasons include understanding the proper technique, motivation, accountability, enjoyment, etc…

What education does your trainer have?

It is always beneficial to have a degree in a relevant field such as exercise science, kinesiology, sports science, etc… However book knowledge will only get you so far. Those who can apply what they know practically will be of most value. If someone has a PHD but can’t teach you how to correct your overhead squat than that degree is of no value to you.

What are good training certifications?

The best certifications will not only teach you the knowledge you need but ensure you can perform and teach movements correctly. These two certifications will be of most value to you

Next in line would be the following which give you decent book knowledge but no requirements on having to show you can perform or teach movements

Does your trainer carry liability insurance?

Liability insurance is always important for the trainer to stay protected against personal injury loss. This is also an indicator of someone who is not only a full time trainer but a bit more serious when it comes to training others.

Is your trainer CPR certified?

Staying up to date with CPR certification is a must for any trainer. You never know what might happen in any given session. Working with someone who is prepared to perform up to date life saving techniques is extremely important.

What kind of experience does your trainer have?

Their are a lot of good trainers out there that have completely different experiences. Some of these experiences include working at training studios, large commercial gyms, CrossFit boxs, 24 hour fitness gyms, high school/collegiate/professional strength and conditioning, sports performance facilities, specialty studios (boxing, cycling, pilates, etc…). Whatever your trainers experience don’t forget to check your trainer using the above questions. Also if you have a particular goal it will be of extra benefit if your trainer has personally achieved that goal or has worked with others who have.

Is your trainer knowledgable and can they apply their knowledge?

Is your trainer able to help you move correctly? Can they consistently point out movement faults and show you exactly how to fix them and with what drills? Can they point out over and under active muscles? These are some of the tell tail signs that your trainer can actually apply what they know. If you trainer tells you to do 10 air squats without any cues such an spread the ground apart, stomach tight, initiate with you hips, chest up, etc… Then your not getting a great lesson and if movement isn’t taught correctly for long enough you will get hurt.

Is your trainer willing to admit what they don’t know?

Ask your trainer questions regularly such as what is the intent in todays workout? How much protein should I eat in a day, What’s a good stretch for my quads? If they can’t answer some of the simple ones such as these, it’s a red flag. If they don’t know the answer to some more difficult questions that’s ok. It’s a good thing that they admit they do not know so they can do some research and give you the right answer.

Do you like your trainer?

Pretty simple here, do you like being around your trainer? If you don’t then you will probably stress about coming in. That stress will lead to negative health affects. So if you don’t enjoy your trainers company it’s best to move on.

Are you getting results?

3 months is a good time frame to see progress. After that period did you get close to hitting any of your goals? Do you see yourself becoming more fit? If playing a sport have you started to excel in your performance? If so great! If not it might be time to look for another trainer