You don’t walk into a car dealership before you did some research first. The same should be true for choosing a personal trainer. But it might be challenging to do the research, when you don’t know what to look for in the first place.
Right Path Fitness team did some preliminary research for you and shared what great personal trainers are made of.
1. Experience
You don’t want to be practicing with a generalist or an amateur. In that case, you are will end up with mediocre results, or worse – get set back for months in your progress.
The first thing to do is to do a quick background check of your trainer. Look them up on either REPs or NRPT.
Pay attention to the following:
- Do they have any professional education?
- How about additional certifications or courses?
- What’s their personal background in sports? Any competitions or accolades won?
- Do they have a specialization e.g. Crossfit or Weight Loss?
- How long have they been in business?
2. Personality
Do you like to be drilled or gently pushed forward occasionally? Most people give up on training because they lack proper motivation. You need to make sure you are on the same page with your personal trainer.
Ask to come and watch them at work. You’ll then get a better idea of their training style, motivational techniques, and overall attitude. You will want to have a personal trainer that acts like a friend and always finds the right words to support you.
3. Location
Commuting for a couple of hours to your training sessions is a huge motivation killer. Look for professionals, who offer flexible private studio locations (close to your work/home) or don’t mind visiting your apartment occasionally.
4. Past Results
Nothing speaks better of the trainer’s expertise than the past client’s results. Ask if your prospect feels comfortable connecting you with a current/former client for a quick chat. A great trainer will certainly pass on the contacts.
5. Price
Hiring a personal trainer may sound like a luxury. But it’s not always the case. Even in London, you can find an affordable personal trainer, who offer a good balance of quality vs. price. If the costs still seem too steep, you may want to talk some friend into sharing the costs with you. In that case, you can enjoy the perks of small group workouts with a personal trainer.
6. Availability
Consistency is everything when it comes to your health. It’s a good idea to ask about the trainer’s schedule. Inquire about their booking policy and cancellation/no-show fees. You’ll want to partner with someone, who’s flexible enough, but won’t let you skip your training that easily.
7. Specialization
Chose a personal trainer based on your health goals. There’s no point in working with a weight loss specialist if your goal is to bulk up and gain muscle strength, right? Always opt for someone with a relevant specialty as they’d offer more knowledge and passion about the work you’ll be doing together.
8. Their Ethics
A professional trainer will not try to sell you some shady supplements or ask for a long-term commitment on your first day. They will also have a long chat with you to assess your current shape and look into your diet. Pros don’t make huge claims like “you’ll shed those 20 pounds in a week”, but keep things more real.
Investing in a personal trainer is a big decision. Make sure you do your “homework” and you’ll find a great trainer in no time!