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How To Choose The Right Personal Trainer
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Certification Is the First Thing to Look For
A personal trainer should be certified because that's your
assurance you're working with a trainer who has the knowledge to
provide you with a safe and effective workout. Not just any
certification will do. You want a personal trainer who has been
certified by a nationally recognized certifying organization,
like ACE, which happens to be the largest non-profit
fitness-certifying organization in the world.
Certification is more than a piece of paper. For example, to
qualify for ACE certification, a personal trainer has to pass an
intensive three-and-a-half hour, 175-question exam that covers
exercise science and programming knowledge, including anatomy,
kinesiology, health screening, basic nutrition and instructional
methods.
After checking certification, there are a few other things
you should take into consideration when hiring a personal
trainer. Many require asking direct questions.
A Checklist to Help You Hire The Right Personal Trainer:
 | Ask for references
Ask the trainer for the names and phone numbers of other
clients with goals similar to yours. Call to see if they were
pleased with their workouts, if the trainer was punctual and
prepared, and if they felt their individual needs were
addressed. The best personal trainer to hire is the one others
give high marks to.
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| Make sure the trainer has liability insurance and
provides business policies in writing
Many personal trainers operate as independent contractors and
are not employees of a fitness facility. You should find out
if the trainer you want to hire carries professional liability
insurance.
A reputable personal trainer should also make sure you
understand the cancellation policy and billing procedure. The
best way to avoid confusion and to protect your rights is to
have those policies in writing.
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| Look for a trainer who is able to assist you with your
special needs
A personal trainer should always have you fill out a health
history questionnaire to determine your needs or limitations.
If you have a medical condition or a past injury, a personal
trainer should design a session that takes these into account.
If you're under a doctor's care, a personal trainer should
discuss any exercise concerns with your doctor, and should ask
for a health screening or release from your doctor.
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| Find out what the trainer charges
Rates vary, depending on the trainer's experience, and the
length and location of the workout session. For example, a
personal trainer who works in a fitness club will probably
charge less per hour than one who works independently and
needs to come to your home or office.
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| Decide if this is someone you can work with
Some people like to exercise in the morning, some in the
evening. Will the personal trainer you're talking to
accommodate your schedule? What about the trainer's gender?
Some people do better working with a trainer of the same sex;
others prefer the opposite sex.
The personal trainer you select should motivate you by
positive, not negative, reinforcement. Even more important,
that trainer should be someone you like.
Ask yourself if you think you could get along well with the
trainer. Ask yourself, too, if you think the trainer is
genuinely interested in helping you.
The personal trainer who best measures up is the one to hire.
Because that's the professional who will help you get the best
results.
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This ACE Fit Fact is taken from ACE FitnessMatters®
magazine. Want more information like this delivered directly to your
home? ACE FitnessMatters, the bi-monthly magazine from the American
Council on Exercise (ACE), is the source for the most accurate,
up-to-date fitness information you need to live a healthy, active
life. Subscribe to ACE FitnessMatters Magazine directly from ACE at
http://www.acefitness.org/fitnessmatters/ or call
1-800-825-3636.
The American Council on Exercise® of San Diego,
California (ACE®) does not endorse or promote the companies,
products or services that reside on this Web site. ACE does not
receive revenue generated from any organizations that advertise on
this Web site. Copyright 2003 American Council on Exercise. All
Rights Reserved.
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