How To Choose A Personal Trainer

July 1, 2012 7:16 am 0 comments

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Art Jahnke

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Good news for those looking for a personal trainer: The New York Times reports that they seem to be multiplying like rabbits, healthy and sometimes expensive rabbits. The paper cites Labor Department numbers showing that from 2001 to 2011, the number of personal trainers grew by 44 percent, to 231,500 (while the overall number of workers fell by 1 percent). Below are two opinions on how to choose a personal trainer.

First, from Consumer Reports:

Check credentials: Trainers are certified by organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Ask for References. Have a real conversation with other clients.

Workouts: Ask the trainer how he or she will create a regimen specifically for you? A good trainer not only measures objective results but also looks at other facets of your life, including your sleep habits and your energy level.

Style: Think about whether your will work better with a drill sergeant or a cheerleader.

Business practices: The trainer should provide you with a copy of all contracts and policies on billing, scheduling and cancellations.

Next, from fitness expert Tom Holland, author of Beat the Gym and The 12 Week Triathlete, via the Chicago Tribune. Make sure the person you hire …

1. Is certified by a nationally-recognized organization. The top four, according to Holland, are the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

2. Practices what he preaches and is fit himself. “A trainer who is out of shape is analogous to a financial planner who is in debt,” Holland wrote.

3. Has good attending behavior when training clients (pays attention, doesn’t talk on the phone or to other people, is totally engaged).

4. Does not practice outside of her expertise, such as giving nutritional advice without having any training in that field.

5. Does not hijack the hour by talking about himself.

6. Does not train all her clients the same way.

7. Is constantly studying and learning.

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