Personal training is a tricky business. In our business you can go from extremely well-educated practitioners with years of experience, certifications, and clients under their belt, to people with little more than a few years of experience working out on their own, or perhaps some competition experience and little else, often working under the same roof!
I always feel for people who are new to the gym and are looking for help in getting started. They have little to no knowledge of how to get started, so anyone with even a working knowledge of what to do in the gym seems like an expert. And this is where people can fall victim to trainers with little to no experience, or education.
I have been working as a personal trainer for nearly eighteen years now. And I have worked in gyms for nearly twenty five years. I have seen personal trainers evolve from glorified “rep counters” to fitness experts who put together some of the most sophisticated training programs imaginable. What is a personal trainers exact job? And what should a new member look for in hiring a trainer?
Even though I work as a trainer and have my own business, I don’t mind helping people with the vetting process of hiring a trainer. Even if they aren’t going to hire me for some reason or other. A good trainer can make the difference between getting yourself set on a life changing path, to getting stuck in a pattern of stops and starts, and never feeling like you are accomplishing anything.
This list is by no means scientific. These are just some basic observations of my own, backed with over 20 years of experience, on the things people need to look for when hiring a trainer. I hope they will help you:
The first thing to ask about is the education background of the trainer you are talking to, or the education of the trainers in general at your gym. Each gym is different and some, like Equinox, actually provide a great deal of continuing education for their trainers. Be sure to ask if they have any specific certifications or degrees pertaining to their job. If a trainer has no formal education or certifications, be wary. It doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of giving you a good workout, but if you have long term goals, or are coming in with some kind of past injuries, they may not have the necessary knowledge to accommodate you.
Some certifications to look for include NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association), and ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine). Most gyms require their trainers to have at least one of these certs, but if you are training at a facility with independent trainers, make sure to ask a lot of questions about their qualifications.
Another factor in choosing a trainer is professionalism. And again, this is one that may require a bit of research. Make sure to ask other members about your trainer, as well as watch to see how he interacts with his clientele. Does he keep a program nearby, or does he seem to “wing it” with his clients? Is he on his phone? Does he pick up after himself? Is he/she punctual, or always late for sessions? Trainers often charge between $70-100 dollars, or more, per session. People are often cautious about spending that kind of money on so many different things, but often hire a trainer on the spot, simply because they want to get started right away. Remember, there is nothing wrong with a little research.
If you are looking to hire a trainer for nutritional advice, again make sure they have some type of education to back up the information they give you. There are several reputable certifications, like Precision Nutrition, that a trainer can add to their resume to show they have some background on nutrition. Just because someone has competed in a bodybuilding show, or lost a lot of weight on their own, does not mean the diet they used to do so is right for you. Again, ask lots of questions, and make sure they are not just giving you the latest fad diet to work with. What works for one person, may not work for you at all.
A trainer’s primary job is to teach you not to need them. If you continue working with a trainer indefinitely, it should be because they motivate you and continuously push you to bring out your best. It should never be because you still feel clueless when coming to the gym. A trainer should also have more in mind for you than just “killing” you on every workout. While we all want and need to be pushed, there is something to be said for knowing what intensity level a client needs on a given day. If a trainer is constantly making you go all out to the point of exhaustion, it may not always be in your best interests. So make sure you are doing a little homework to make sure you have someone that will bring out the best in you.
