Personal trainers provide an important service for men who take fitness and health seriously. You don't have to belong to a fitness studio, however, to reap the benefits of personal training. Plenty of certified trainers will come to train you in your home or office, and at times that are convenient for you. Knowing what traits to look for in a personal trainer can be a challenge. Some basic requirements can help you narrow down your options.
Personal Training for Men
Just because you are a man doesn't mean your personal trainer has to be one too. Plenty of female personal trainers can perform the same exercises you can -- perhaps with less weight for certain exercises. The relationship between you and your personal trainer, however, should not be one of competition. Your goal is not to be as fit as your trainer but to get into your own personal best shape, and your trainer's expertise rests on her ability to bring that out of you. If your training objective is to become a bodybuilder and perform very heavy, mass-building exercises on a regular basis, a male personal trainer may be a better decision.
Certification
Determine your prospective personal trainer's certification and experience. A personal trainer who works at a fitness studio is not necessarily certified, so don't hire based on assumption. Reputable organizations that certify personal trainers include the American Council on Exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. You can verify a trainer's credentials on these organizations' websites. Another recognized credential includes a certificate from the National Athletic Trainers' Association. Depending on your needs, ensure that your trainer can provide sport-specific training, such as strength development for football or endurance conditioning for ice hockey.
Costs and References
Personal training sessions purchased through a fitness studio usually come in packages, which provide you a better overall value than a single session and allow you to evaluate the personal trainer's tactics to determine if a good relationship can develop. Some fitness studios may provide some free personal training sessions as an incentive to sign up for large packages. Personal trainers who come to your home typically charge higher fees. Factors that can influence fees include equipment supplied by the trainer, physical therapy and sports massages. Every reputable personal trainer has references and should have no reservations about you speaking with them.
Pre-Workout Checkup
A personal trainer should always ask you about your medical history and perform a thorough fitness evaluation on you before actually training you. Look for a new personal trainer if he doesn't. Your health and well-being should be your trainer's top priority. A simple Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire points out any medical conditions. Issues such as prostate cancer and hernias should be discussed as these conditions can affect your training programs. A fitness evaluation gives the trainer a sense of your physical capabilities. Combined, these two factors help the trainer build a customized fitness program for you.
Programs
Now that the personal trainer is ready to begin training you, she should develop a program that addresses your specific fitness needs and objectives. Developing a big chest and arms are usually desirable goals for men. The workouts she puts together must take into consideration your daily lifestyle and how much or lack of exercise you get outside of the gym. For instance, a program should include various midsection exercises if a beer gut is the main concern. The trainer should instruct you on how to properly use fitness training equipment, such as weight belts and wrist wraps for heavy lifting exercises. To ensure your fitness improves, your personal trainer should re-evaluate your fitness every few weeks and adjust the program accordingly so you don't plateau.
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