A personal trainer is a fitness professional whose job it is to motivate you and help you to achieve your fitness goals. Anyone can call himself a personal trainer, so you need to be particular when choosing the right one. Look for education, certification and a solid work ethic.
Education
A degree is not necessary to be a personal trainer, but for someone who wants to be respected within the field, more education equals more credibility. Even if the person doesn't have a college degree in exercise science, completing college classes in the areas of exercise physiology, anatomy and nutrition tells you that a personal trainer knows something about health and fitness.
Certification
Find out if the person is registered with a professional body. Certifying organizations set the standards in the health fitness industry, and certified personal trainers must meet minimum requirements. There are dozens of certifying agencies that provide personal training certification. The four most widely-recognized certifications in the U.S. include the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), American Council on Exercise (ACE) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Personal trainer certifications also require that the person have a current CPR certification. You might want to contact a certifying agency directly to verify that a personal trainer has the certification she says she has and that it still current. Ask if a personal trainer has any specialty qualifications so that you can look for someone who specializes in your particular fitness goal.
Referrals
Recommendations from other competent professionals such as a doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor, nutritionist or massage therapist count as referrals for qualified personal trainers. Ask a trainer for references so that you can talk to his current and previous clients. You can also inquire at local gyms and community fitness centers. Many gyms offer personal training programs, which include a specified number of sessions with the membership. Visit a few gyms and observe how the personal trainers there interact with their clients. Assess a trainer's personality and communication style. Talk to several trainers directly and review their profiles carefully before choosing a personal trainer with whom you would like to work.
Work Ethic
Personality is key when looking for a personal trainer who will be a good match for you. A personal trainer who is good at her job will encourage you to make optimal use of your time when working out. She will tailor an exercise program to help you achieve your fitness goals and will push you gradually to do more on your own. The best trainers teach you proper exercise technique and adjust your program as needed. Good trainers explain the purpose of each exercise and offer positive feedback to their clients. Look for a personal trainer who will continuously offer you support along the way and make you feel good about yourself.
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