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Diamonds
in the Ruff - How to Find a Good Personal
Trainer
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by: Aaron
M. Potts, ISSA CFT
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The
question of how to find a good personal trainer is
as old as the industry itself. In fact, it usually
gets transformed into an even bigger question -
should you even HIRE a personal trainer?
Conveniently enough, the answer to one of those
questions will dictate the answer to the other one
- every time!
The short and simple truth of the matter is that
you should only hire a personal trainer if you can
find an effective one that is right for you. Here
are several things to consider before you decide!
Professionalism
The term professionalism should cover our
prospective trainer's skills, as well as his/her
ability to act in a professional manner. Both are
critical to the training process, and if a trainer
is lacking in either department, it will spell
doom for your program eventually, either in the
short term, or later on down the road.
The days of personal trainers just being jocks
with a certification are (thankfully!) coming to a
close. Today's personal trainer needs to be a
consummate professional with regard to his/her
actual skills, as well as ability to treat their
clients in a professional and business-like
manner.
For now let's just agree that if your trainer
doesn't have a clue about how to get you in shape,
you probably don't want to hire that trainer!
What about their level of professionalism? A good
personal trainer will always maintain their
professional bearing. They don't need to be some
stick in the mud with no personality, but there
are several things that a trainer should NOT be
doing during a training session. These include
things like staring at themselves in the mirror,
daydreaming, excessively talking to other people,
talking on their cell phone, checking out members
of the opposite sex, and just generally not
focusing on you during the workout.
Your trainer should look professional as well.
Although the actual clothing standards vary
widely, some things that you should not see are
excessive body jewelry, the latest fashions such
as arm bands, beanie caps, combat boots, etc., or
any clothing or accessories that are worn simply
as decoration or because the style is in. The
latest styles have absolutely nothing to do with
your training program!
Credentials
Which level of personal training certification is
the best has been and continues to be a matter of
extreme debate. This article will not propagate
that debate with further discussion of the
details. However, what you should take home is the
fact that regardless of your fitness goals, your
trainer should be qualified to train YOU.
For general health and fitness, any of the top 10
nationwide certification agencies offer acceptable
programs. A brief list includes - but is not
limited to - the International Sports Sciences
Association, the American Council on Exercise, and
the National Academy of Sports Medicine. There are
others, and your trainer should be more than happy
to point you to the website that governs his or
certification, so that you can learn more on your
own.
For more specific considerations like training for
a sport or athletic competition, your trainer will
need a higher degree of expertise. The American
College of Sports Medicine has a great program and
is one of the most recognized certifications for
sport specific training.
You should ask very specific questions about how a
potential trainer is going to tackle the
particular issues that you want covered during
your training program.
Facility
Regardless of your potential trainer's credentials
and professionalism, you need to know where you
are going to train. The industry standard of only
working out at a gym is being challenged more and
more these days. It is possible now to find a
trainer who will come right to your house and
train you, or possibly meet you outside, or in
your housing area community fitness center. Don't
fall into the trap of thinking that you have to go
to the gym if you want a personal trainer!
Schedule
One of the biggest issues for trainers and clients
alike is scheduling. After all, you both have to
be in the same place at the same time for a
minimum of 30 minutes, and possibly as long as 90
minutes. A good trainer will try to find a way to
fit you into their schedule. It won't always be
possible, especially with a highly sought after
trainer, but if the trainer truly wants to help
you, they will do their best to fit you in.
Rapport
Having a good rapport with your personal trainer
is crucial! If you and your trainer don't get
along, it's a waste of time for both of you. You
will likely end up more frustrated than ever,
thinking that even a professional couldn't help
you!
Working with a personal trainer that you like is
necessary, and on the flip side, the trainer
should like you as well. You don't necessarily
need to pick out curtains together, but you should
at least be able to carry on a comfortable
dialogue while you exercise. Most good trainers
are good communicators as well, but if the two of
you aren't very comfortable with each other, then
it will cause tension and increase the risk of
your program meeting with failure.
A good personal trainer will agree to meet with
you face to face before you actually sign up for a
training program. Some trainers offer a free or
low-cost initial consultation, and that is the
perfect time to size up your trainer to make sure
they fit your needs!
You should take home the fact that the definition
of a good personal trainer is someone who is not
only a professional, but is also appropriate for
your specific personality, needs, goals, and
desires. You may be working with this person for
awhile, so choose wisely!
About the author:
Aaron Potts is a Personal Trainer and Fitness
Success Coach whose customers include consumers as
well as other fitness professionals. Sign up for a
free edition of his Workout of the Month Club or
his value-packed Fitness Journal at http://www.fitnessdestinations.com,or
visit his coaching site at http://www.ptsuccesscoach.com
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