So you’ve been going to the gym consistently, printed a weekly workout plan and even bought new fitness goals to fit your new attitude. But still no progress.
You’re doing everything the internet says but nothing seems to be working. At this point, you’re confused, frustrated and ready to run back to your old habits.
But, wait! Before you do that…consider reaching out for a helping hand.
Hiring a personal fitness trainer could be the catalyst that your journey needs to skyrocket you to great results. And hiring the right trainer for could get you to those results even faster.
Here are some tips on how to scope out the right fitness trainer for your personal journey.
Take Advantage of the Free Consultation
Most gyms and personal fitness trainers will offer free consultations before you begin. One half of this usually consists of you speaking with the trainer about your goals and current frustrations. The other half is an actual sample session with the trainer.
During this time the trainer gets a chance to show their skills and assess your current fitness level. And you get a chance to scope out some important factors about the trainer. These are two things you should be paying close attention to when you first meet:
Personality
A relationship with a personal fitness trainer can be pretty intimate. This person is helping you learn and change your body. And, in some cases, people see them multiple days throughout the week. The last thing you want to deal with when you’re trying to focus on getting healthy is someone you don’t like.
You two don’t have to share the same views on politics but you should definitely be keeping an eye out for certain qualities and characteristics that you don’t usually get along with. In general, you should be attentive to whether that person is displaying a genuine persona.
Training Style
Some people are motivated by kind words and high energy. Others like drill sergeants that scream in your face. Whichever you prefer, be sure that the personal trainer will be able to deliver a training style that is able to keep you engaged and inspired.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how they structure their workouts and what type of exercises they like their clients to do. Some trainers have preferences and will try to put your workout variety in a box. Make sure you choose someone who will be open to exploring options that fit your body, as well.
How Knowledgeable Are They?
This one is huge.
Bodies can easily be broken if you make a wrong move. You definitely don’t want to hire someone who is not knowledgeable enough in the field to move you towards your goals safely.
Just because someone has an educational background in the subject, doesn’t mean that they continue to learn and grow in their craft. Prepare some fitness questions you’re curious about and present them to the personal fitness trainer.
You may want to be wary if they’re unable to answer them with confidence and accuracy.
Certifications
It’s best to find a personal fitness trainer who is certified. This way you know that they are practicing and legally. And it shows that they cared enough about what they do to continue their education.
Most certifications require a yearly re-certification and provide workshops and continuing education credits throughout the year. This also ensures that they are consistent with keeping up their credentials.
The health and fitness industry is consistently changing and advancing in research. You don’t want someone who doesn’t care about keeping up with those advancements and new information for their clients’ benefit.
Ask your trainer if they are certified by an accredited program before signing a contract.
Compare Your Schedules
Training fitness clients are not necessarily like a regular 9-5.
Some clients like to train really early in the morning and others prefer later at night after. This makes a trainer’s schedule a bit chaotic.
Speak with the personal fitness trainer you are pursuing about what openings they have in their schedule they can accommodate you. It would also be wise to see how flexible they can be in the case of changes and emergencies.
Clientele Workload
In a lot of cases, trainers have a large number of clients and not as much time. If you know a trainer has a big workload then be prepared to be prompt and on time. This helps everyone get their fair share of time allotted.
If you need someone who can spend a few extra minutes with you here and there, opt for a personal fitness trainer with fewer clients. You should be very clear the kind of scheduling you need before committing to anything.
How Much Experience Do They Have?
Education is a great tool to have. However, it’s only half the battle.
Applying what you’ve learned is what helps us to understand how things work practically. A personal fitness trainer who has worked with many different clients more than likely has the skill level to get you to your goals.
Even a trainer who has worked with just a few people and has been able to produce results is a good investment. Overall, you want to make sure that they have been able to put their information to good use and help people make real progress on their journeys.
Most trainers will have portfolios and testimonials of past clientele. If you have a particular area that you would like to focus on (ex. help with nutrition, weight lifting, marathon training, etc.) bring that up to the personal trainer to be sure that they can assist you accordingly. Also, ask about any other skills that they specialize in.
Hire the Right Personal Fitness Trainer For You
Now that you know where to begin with choosing the right trainer for you, start a search and find some in your area.
Just be sure to find someone trustworthy, honest and that will work hard to help you get to where you want to be.
If you’re looking for a place to start that has personal trainers who fit this exact criteria, contact T-Squared Vancouver personal training to get started on your journey today!