| Personal training
has come a long way from the days when “gym rats” morphed
into trainers. Every trainer must have a comprehensive
certification or an exercise science related degree. Beware! There
are many “correspondence courses” which certify personal
trainers—these are not generally acceptable. Your personal
trainer’s certification should include scientific and practical
testing and should have required extensive studying. Luckily, this
field has now become very popular, and many colleges offer Personal
Training Certification Courses and optimally, college degrees in
a related field.
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| 2. Does the personal
trainer have years of experience with clients like You? |
| Extensive experience along
with a certification or degree is a must. Your trainer needs to have
trained clients like you. Don’t hire a personal trainer
that specializes in working with bodybuilders if you are a 50 year
old non-exerciser. |
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| 3. Does the personal
trainer offer a free consult? |
| Like any other professional,
you should interview a personal trainer before hiring them.
A free phone or in-person consult will allow you to get a sense of
whether you and this trainer will get along, as the trainer/client
relationship is one of trust and intimacy. |
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| 4. Does the personal
trainer educate himself/herself on a regular basis? |
| All certifications require
that the trainer take continuing education courses to maintain the
personal trainer certification. Your trainer should be excited about
educating themselves. Learning the latest information and techniques
should be a joy, not just a “requirement”. |
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| 5. Does the personal
trainer push supplements or other pills and potions? |
| We all know that in some
nutritional situations, vitamin, mineral or other types of supplements
may be necessary. But, this varies widely from client to client, and
may require a nutritionist or physician to make the best decision
for you and your health. Your personal trainer should not be trying
to push you into buying any type of supplement that they sell. |
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| 6. Does the personal
trainer take a careful medical history and perform evaluative tests
to assess your health and fitness status prior to beginning
training? |
| All trainers should get
a clear medical history and perform a number of pre-exercise evaluations
such as postural assessments, flexibility testing, body composition,
cardiovascular efficiency and more. Without these, you cannot be sure
your program will be both safe and effective. |
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| 7. Does the trainer’s
personality, demeanor and attitude feel intuitively right for you?
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| There are thousands of
personality variations, and each trainer and client must decide if
they are a good fit for each other. Is the trainer upbeat and motivational?
Or, angry and demanding? Some clients are motivated by one of these
personality types—make sure you feel motivated and excited by
the personal trainer you choose. |
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| 8. Are you willing
and able to make the necessary lifestyle changes the trainer will
ask of you? |
| So often when focusing
on hiring a personal trainer, the client forgets the most important
factor—are THEY ready and willing? Hate exercise? Unwilling
to eat fruits and vegetables and give up donuts and beer? Then you
are not ready to hire a personal trainer. NO ONE can make you change
unless YOU are ready. |
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| 9. Have you seen
your physician for a recent physical and exercise clearance? |
| Many illnesses and injuries
do require that you check in with your physician prior to
beginning an exercise program. Do your homework first—see
your doctor to ensure that your exercise program will not injure you
or cause illness. |
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| 10. Do you have
unrealistic or unachievable expectations? |
| You will frustrate both
yourself and your trainer if you have ridiculous expectations such
as losing 10 pounds in two weeks or weighing what you weighed in high
school. Weight loss and changing the physical body is hard work! And,
by the way—your personal trainer should be open and truthful
about the amount of work it will take for you to achieve your goals. |
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| Working with a personal
trainer is both rewarding and educational and is the most effective,
safe way to get and stay healthy. By carefully choosing your trainer,
and making sure you are ready, your success is guaranteed! |
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