FINDING THE RIGHT PERSONAL TRAINER

Personal trainers can be a great asset, but make sure you find the right fit for you!

Congratulations, you've made the decision to get fit. That's a big first step, and one you should be proud of. Your second step is to actually walk into a fitness center or gym which can feel as intimidating as your first day of high school.

If you’re unsure of what to do, a personal trainer can help you get started. At Terri Fox Fitness, we will show you around our facility, teach you how to use the equipment, take you through workouts, and help you come up with achievable goals and strategies, with a little nutrition coaching mixed in. Unlike other personal trainers, we aren't reserved for beginners. We can also help you prepare for a competition, a race, or just overcome a sticking point.

If you're going to invest time, money, and trust in a person to guide you in the right direction, then you need to make the right choice. We’re here to help – here are some tips to finding the right personal trainer for you!

STARTING YOUR SEARCH

There are a variety of personal trainers. Determine your preferences. Do you want to work out in a gym with a huge membership? Be careful that you don’t become a number, vying for the attention of a trainer. Do you prefer to work out at home? There are private, personal trainers available. But, sometimes working out with a small group of people provides a support group of sorts and gives that extra encouragement to keep moving.

Do you want a small fitness center with low membership numbers so that you can feel like part of a family?

Once you have determined where and how you would like to work out, use these five rules to determine if the personal trainer is a fit for you.

BE CERTAIN ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION

One of the most important aspects of finding the right trainer is ensuring that he or she is actually qualified to do the job. It's all too easy for people to call themselves "trainers" when they have little or no expertise.

Good trainers have certifications from reputable organizations or degrees in the exercise or fitness field.

At Terri Fox Fitness, we are certified by ACE Fitness. A member of IDEA for 4 years, the premier association for trainers and coaches. Continued education is critical to stay up to date for the health of our clients. Every day we read and study the information regarding health and wellness.

In addition to a nationally recognized certification, make sure that your trainer knows CPR and first aid. Don't be afraid to ask to see proof of certification. After all, you're putting your health in our care!

KNOW WHAT MOTIVATES YOU

Choose a trainer who will cater to your personal needs and learning preferences. While some people want to be pushed to their limits by a drill sergeant type, others are going to work better with positive reinforcement and gentle encouragement. Your trainer should fit your personality and motivation style.

You'll be spending a lot of important hours with this person, so your comfort and ease of communication are paramount. Don't be afraid to ask direct questions about coaching style and motivation techniques. It's much better to decline a trainer before you even start than to set yourself up with the wrong one.

ASK FOR EVIDENCE

A trainer's competence is only as strong as the results they've been able to attain with their clients. As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding—or the lack of pudding. Ask to see success stories or client referrals. Whether you are losing fat, adding muscle, or training for an athletic event, you want to see that your trainer has had success in this area.

Of course every trainer has to start somewhere, but how badly do you want to be someone's guinea pig when you're just getting started yourself? Your trainer should be able to provide you with the names and contact information of people who line up with you in terms of age, sex, and fitness goals. Talk to those people, and you'll quickly figure out if this is the trainer for you.

DEFINE SPECIAL CONDITIONS

If you have special needs, it's critical that you inform your prospective trainers and ask if they have experience working with them. Exercise can help relieve symptoms of many medical conditions, but bad choices can exacerbate an existing problem.

If you have a medical condition, check with a doctor before starting a personal training program. After being cleared, mention every medical condition to your trainer. Give yourself the best chance to succeed.

TAKE YOUR TIME

You're putting your health and your future in another person's hands— that's a big deal! Take the time to shop around. You don't always buy the first sweater you see in the store; you take the time to try it on and make sure the price is right. The same should be true for your trainer.

If you want to find the perfect person to help you start your new life, then you have the right to be picky. Making the right choice can mean the difference between achieving your goals and ending up as another failed-resolution statistic.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR TRAINER

1. What education, certifications, or qualifications do you have?

2. How do you seek continued education?

3. What kind of clients have you worked with in the past, with what results?

4. Do you have experience and confidence to address my special needs and health conditions?

5. Do you have liability insurance?

6. Do you offer a free consultation that includes a fitness assessment?

7. What are your rates, session lengths, and cancellation policies?

8. What are my options for payment?

9. What's your schedule? Is it adaptable?

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