HOW TO CHOOSE A PERSONAL TRAINER

So you’ve decided to take the next step on your fitness journey and work with a personal trainer. Not only will a personal trainer work with your specific goals and provide tailored advice, they’re also there to motivate you and keep you accountable to your goals.

But it’s called personal training for a reason – building a rapport with your trainer is what will ultimately keep you engaged and motivated. That’s why it’s important to find someone who is a good fit for you and your needs. This involves a little legwork, so here are a few things to look out for when determining if a trainer is right for you:


EXPERIENCE

Have you heard the saying ‘jack of all trades, master of none’? Most personal trainers will have more experience in specific fields – such as sports training, strength and conditioning, or even bodybuilding. If you have a specific goal in mind – say, running a marathon – you’ll want to work with a trainer who has experience in endurance training. With more expertise in this area, they’ll have the knowledge to help you reach your goal, and will likely be more passionate about getting you there.


PERSONALITY

Everyone is motivated differently. Some respond well to positive reinforcement while others prefer a tough-love approach. Finding a trainer with a personality and training style that motivates you can make or break your experience. Take some time to spy on trainers around the gym – get a feel for their personality and the way they interact with their clients and other members. Setting up a trial or an initial consultation is a great way to get to know a trainer.


PHILOSOPHY

It’s always a good idea to get a feel for a trainer’s approach to fitness so you can decide if it aligns with your preferences. If you’ve set up a meeting with a trainer, ask about how they develop their programs; what equipment they like to use; what are their views on nutrition etc.


AVAILABILITY

Consistency is key when working with a personal trainer, so it’s a good idea to inquire about their schedule from the outset – especially if you have a busy schedule yourself. If a trainer is already working with lots of clients, there may not be a lot of flexibility. Also inquire about their preferences – do they like to have a set schedule each week? What’s the cancellation policy? Can you make up missed sessions?


REPUTATION

Good trainers will happily share their success stories and testimonials; usually through social media. Seeing firsthand results from others achieving their goals is a great referral for a trainer so it doesn’t hurt to investigate a little!

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