Hire a personal trainer? How to find the best
Hiring a personal trainer to help you with your fitness program is a great investment. It can also be a confusing endeavor for someone who is new to the field of exercise, or even someone who has little experience with training. When looking for your first personal trainer, you want to do it the right way so you don’t waste valuable time and money.
Hiring a trainer has three main benefits that will help you develop a solid training program and improve your overall health and exercise routine.
o Progression: Most people do not progress well enough on their own. Working with a coach will speed up the process and push you beyond your normal limits.
o Efficiency: Progression and efficiency together will help you work harder and smarter in the gym. 2-3 sessions per week with a fitness trainer can help kick start your program much better than doing it on your own
o High Work Rate – Working with an outsider, such as a coach, will help you push your limits and make you work harder overall. A trainer will push you through the last few reps and motivate you to lose more body fat, lift more weight, and get stronger.
Here are some helpful tips to get you started on your search for the best personal trainers.
o Find someone who is nationally certified. There are many simple personal training certifications out there but you want someone with a high level of knowledge. Look for certifications like the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Academy of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
o Find evidence that you are a good coach. Get referrals from friends or coworkers; check out their website and talk to the people who train with them. If those people are happy, chances are you’ll see results too.
o Find someone who is willing to help you. Many trainers have their own agendas before they even meet you. It is important to meet with your fitness specialist and set goals. Make sure they are clear and concise about how you will achieve your goals and that they genuinely show an interest in you.
o Find a friendly trainer. Training sessions are much more enjoyable with a dynamic personality that can elevate your day and motivate you to train harder. Stay away from people who are only in it to talk about themselves.
o Ask them about their philosophies. All coaches have a certain style and reasons why they design programs in a certain way. Find out how they train and why. It is important to understand why you are doing certain exercises over others.
o Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good trainer should always be able to back up his reasoning, but it’s his money and his body, so don’t be shy.
o Make sure the trainer is insured. Whether they work for a gym or are private contractors, make sure the insurance is covered. Things can happen and you want to be sure that your health is safe.
Follow these simple steps when looking for a fitness trainer to help improve your training program. Do your research and be a smart consumer and you should see a great return on your investment.