Hiring a Trainer: 5 Tips to Help You Choose

Many trainers in commercial gyms are relatively inexperienced sales reps that look good in black and might have a personal trainer certification.  If you judge a book by its cover you might be fooled into thinking you are getting a bargain.  Your trainer might sound like he knows what he's doing.  He/she might look strong and muscular, but is that the best way to choose a trainer? 





How hard is it to look fit when you work in a gym and are in your 20's anyway?
If you hire one of these salesmen with muscles you might still get your money's worth but there is a better way to find and hire a trainer.

 
Recently, I wrote an article for people joining a gym for the first time  and in need of training help.  These people generally have a vague idea of what they'd like to accomplish, but they usually don't have the specifics they require to get there.  My article suggests some basic workout plans and encourages the novice to keep a look out for a good trainer.  I've received questions about what makes a "good trainer."  Here are some of the most objective characteristics of a good personal trainer for someone just starting to lift free weights.  
 
1 The trainer should be fit.
 
If a personal trainer isn't fit then why would you hire him/her?  Trainers should be in shape before they reach for a whistle and clip board.  A personal trainer should look like he/she walks the talk.  They don't have to look like a body builder but they better not have a body that looks like all they do is watch TV all day.  Fitness is a requirement for a personal trainer because it is part of how they advertise what they are selling.

2 The trainer should be certified, formally educated, and/or have experience from the trenches.
 
Let's be logical.  Younger trainers in their 20s, probably haven't had as much experience in the trenches as someone in their 40s.  If you must choose from younger trainers with limited experience, you will want them to have a certification to show that they have the basic knowledge to do the job.  If you found a trainer who is going to college with a major in exercise physiology then consider yourself lucky.  If a trainer has a degree in exercise physiology, a certification from a reputable organization, and has trained elite members of any sport the odds are good that hiring this person will get you positive results.  

3 The trainer should be professional.
 
Being a personal trainer can be profitable and it really doesn't require much to start.  The low barrier to entry means that just about anyone can put on black running pants and a trainer t-shirt to start making money at the local gym.  You need to pick a trainer that acts like a professional.  Watch them when they are with clients prior to approaching them.
  
Do they make suggestive remarks or touch their clients inappropriately?
 
Do they appear to be inventing exercises for their clients or seem to wander the gym without having a clear cut plan?
  
Do they show up late and have their clients do something they could do without a trainer?
  
Are they measuring and documenting important data about their clients during each session?
 
It isn't a bad idea to ask if your trainer has liability insurance.  If a trainer has $1 million dollars worth of liability insurance at least you know he was competent and professional enough for the insurance companies to cover him.You want a professional trainer.  If in doubt; ask for references.  Make sure you know before you pay.

4 Price and Availability
 
How much you should pay for a personal trainer depends on many factors.  It isn't uncommon for trainers to be treated like rock stars in some cities in California.  Some make high six figure incomes for doling out advice and leading fitness classes all day.  You will need research prices and look around.  Prices can vary from trainer to trainer in the same gym.  Some trainers charge more for peak times between 5PM and closing time.  This is when most of us need a trainer.  Sometimes you can get a much better deal by choosing a very early time slot because few people are dedicated enough to get in so early.  Some trainers give group sessions in which the cost can be shared amongst a few friends.  You should ask yourself if you really need one-on-one attention and if it is worth the price you'd have to pay.  Always be wary of bargains that seem too good to be true.  If every trainer at the gym is charging $50 - $100 per session, think twice before going with the one charging $10 per session.  Also, remember that price is always negotiable.  Someone who purchases a year's worth of training is going to get a better per session price than someone who buys a session at a time sporadically.

5 Specifics
 
I usually recommend a trainer after you've been in a gym long enough to know what you need to learn.  My previously mentioned article tries to create a method by which a novice can get to this point in a safe manner.  If you know exactly what you want, it is much easier to choose a trainer to fit your needs.  The key is to get the personal trainer to teach you something specific that helps you get closer to achieving your goals.  I do not recommend a trainer as a cheer leader, motivator, or drill instructor.  Trainers are for the attainment of knowledge.  The rest is really up to you.  A good scenario is to have a sort of on again / off again relationship with your trainer that depends on your current training plan and when you need to learn something new to move towards your goal.  

Hiring a trainer can be one of the wisest things you can do to reach your physical goals so long as you do it wisely.

Written by Alexi Luzyviento