Hiring a Personal Trainer

Choosing A Personal Trainer

From the desk of Jill Spradlin, Fitness and Health Trainer Department Head:

When hiring a personal trainer what are some things you should know?

• CHOOSE A PERSONAL TRAINER WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE DOING.

Personal Training is an unregulated business, this means the 80-year-old man in the gym who has been working out since he was 30 can train you. One of the biggest problems with personal trainers who are not certified is that they tend to teach workouts that worked for them. Not everyone is alike and there are assessments that trainers should be doing to make sure they are doing the exercises that benefit your body and help you achieve your goals.

Community Care College Fitness and Health Trainer graduates KNOW!

• TAKE YOUR BUDGET INTO ACCOUNT.

As with most things in life, personal trainers will cost you. Prices vary based on geographic location, gym affiliation, how long the session will be (30, 45 or 60 minutes) and how many sessions you buy. Look at options like semi-personal training (2-5 people) or group personal training. These options can often be more cost-efficient while helping you reach your goal.

• SEE IF THEIR PERSONALITY IS COMPATIBLE WITH YOURS.

Personal trainers can differ on how they motivate clients. Some clients love the “Jillian Michaels” in your face training and others like the “Bob Harper” encouraging training technique. You need to know their methods of getting the job done and if it will work for you.

• ASK THEM QUESTIONS AND KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO BE ASKING YOU QUESTIONS.

Your trainer needs to understand your diet, lifestyle, injuries, medications and how to help you improve your quality of life. They should also ask about any current training routines. What have you been doing recently and how consistently? This helps to determine the client’motivation level. It’s also important for you to have a realistic outlook on what to expect from your trainer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!