The Complete Beginner’s Guide To Getting Personal Trainers

Getting into a fitness regime is not as easy as everyone thinks. There are many individuals who’ve gotten a 6-month gym membership or who’ve pledged to go through a 90-day workout program only to be M.I.A. at the gym after the first month or to go back to their daily routine after the first week. For these individuals, what they need is a push to get them working through the fitness program and to keep them motivated. A personal trainer can be this push.

The success of your fitness program is dependent though with the type of personal trainer you hire. The person you hire for the job can draw the line between success and failure at your attempt to health and fitness. This is why it’s essential to have not just the best but most importantly the right trainer for each client.

How can this be done? Make sure you follow this guide.

The Personal Trainer’s Role

First you need to know what a personal trainer does. It’s important to know the standard services they provide to know what to expect. You also need to know these to make sure they don’t fall short on providing their services. These are the services usually provided:

• Customise a program matching your needs and fitness level.
• Teach you the right form and give you tips to get the right technique.
• Keep track of your progress.
• Update fitness program based on your progress and increased fitness level.
• Provide motivation.
• Offer advice on proper nutrition and lifestyle.

Qualifications Needed for the Job

In a fitness regime you will be exerting yourself physically and mentally to achieve a healthier self. Your safety might also be at risk as you undergo rigorous exercises and practices. This is why it is important to get a fitness instructor qualified and certified for the job. These qualifications are very important:

• Has a fitness qualification certificate or an exercise or fitness degree.
• Has first aid certification.
• Is registered with a respectable fitness organisation.
• Has public liability insurance and professional indemnity.
• Is highly experienced.

Characteristics They Should Have

Aside from the required qualifications they need to have, it’s also important to look for a trainer with a special set of characteristics and values. First thing you should look for is someone you can trust and someone you feel comfortable with. You’re going to be with this trainer for the duration of the program so it’s good to get a trainer you can easily get along with.

The trainer should also be a good listener and have good communication skills. And most importantly, he should be someone who pays a great deal of attention to you as their client. It would be a waste of time getting a trainer who is always busy with his phone or laptop during the sessions.

Questions that Need to Be Asked

Before agreeing to sign a contract for a fitness program with a personal trainer, there are a few questions you need to ask. This will make sure you get what you want and don’t get any unfortunate surprises in the middle of your program.

• What are the packages offered and the price for each package?
• Is there an expiration or a time period for these?
• Are there any other fees you would need to pay? For example, fees for extra services or cancellation fees.
• What is the time availability of the trainer?
• Where will the sessions be held? Can the trainer come to your home, will it exclusively be at the gym or do they offer outdoor fitness venues?
• Can they make training programs that puts your health into consideration?
• Are the programs up-to-date with the latest in fitness and health?
• Can the trainer provide references?

Where to Find Them

So where can you find these trainers? You can easily find them at the gym or a fitness centre, where the personal training packages are on top of the gym’s membership fees. You can also look for them on ads including the yellow pages and the local paper. But the easiest would probably be online.

Don’t forget to ask around though for great trainers in the area. Ask from family, relatives and friends for their personal recommendations. It’s best to get information from someone who’s experienced getting the service.

In getting a personal trainer make sure you get the right one. It would be a waste of time and money if you get a trainer that cannot effectively help you on your road to fitness. In sticking to these guidelines, you have a good chance of getting a good trainer to motivate, guide and help you to achieve your health and fitness goals.

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• License: Creative Commons image source

By Debra Wright

Debra Wright is a creative and innovative blogger and online marketing specialist. She uses her wordsmith skills to share her ideas, thoughts, and tips to other people about topics that fascinate her, such as health and beauty. Follow Debra on twitter @debrawrites…