Hiring a personal trainer is an investment in your health. The right trainer can help you achieve your fitness goals, whether you want to lose weight, tone muscles or run a marathon. Finding the trainer to suit your needs requires a bit of effort initially, but will be worthwhile in the end.
Step 1
Ask for referrals. If you have friends, relatives or coworkers who use trainers, ask for their opinions and a contact number. Inquire about the type of training they receive and what goals they have. A trainer working with someone whose fitness goals or health conditions mirror your own is your best bet. Find out what they appreciate about their trainers, as well as any qualms they may have.
Step 2
Contact a potential trainer to request information on the trainer's schooling, accreditation and length of experience. Ensure that the trainer you choose is certified by a reputable organization, such as the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the National Board of Fitness Examiners. Although a college degree is not necessary for a trainer to receive certification, a degree in exercise science or another related field denotes a competent, educated trainer. A trainer should have several years of experience, ideally with your specific goal or condition.
Step 3
Set up a one-on-one appointment. When you find a trainer who appeals to you, schedule an interview and perhaps a free session. This gives you time to ask important questions and the chance to test your chemistry together. A sample workout also gives you an idea of the trainer's style so you can determine if it works for you.
Step 4
Expect to fill out paperwork and answer questions. A respectable trainer will want to know your level of fitness and any health problems you are currently or have recently experienced. The trainer should want to know your goals, both short and long term. An initial evaluation is important as well. This will show the trainer some of your strengths and areas needing improvement. Your initial assessment should include fitness testing specific to your goals, such as stretching to determine your flexibility and timed exercises to establish your starting level. The trainer also may ask about your eating and sleep habits.
Step 5
Determine your budget. A trainer may be everything you have dreamed of, but if you cannot afford his rates you will not be able to attend regularly or for any length of time. If the trainer's rates are out of your price range, ask about alternatives. For example, some trainers will work with groups of two or three people and divide hourly rates accordingly. You also may talk to the trainer about a program in which you see him less frequently than is typical. The trainer may be willing to teach you exercises to perform on your own and check on your progress at each session.
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