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How To
Choose a Personal Trainer
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by:
Phil Goglia
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How
to Choose a Personal Trainer
In the fitness industry there is a joke that goes something like this:
“The reason I decided not to become a personal trainer is that I had no
table waiting experience and I didn’t want to become an actor.”
This may sound humorous but, unfortunately, there is a core of truth
there. Because there are no strict guidelines about who can call
themselves a trainer, almost anyone who has a job or career aspiration
that demands a high degree of physical fitness can hang out a shingle
or get a job coaching at your local gym. In fact, it is very common for
an actor, sports model, or athlete to try to pick up extra money by
working as a fitness instructor, especially because there is good money
to be made by doing so.
While these individuals may know what works for them as far as exercise
and diet goes, that does not automatically qualify them to train others
or to give them nutritional counseling.
What Are Your Goals?
The first thing you need to be clear about when considering a trainer
is what goals you have in mind. Do you want someone who can design an
exercise and nutritional protocol that will help you to shed 20 or more
pounds? Do you want to develop greater strength and muscularity,
perhaps with the guided use of protein drinks and sports supplements?
Do you want to get back into shape after a pregnancy or a long period
spent without exercise? Or maybe you are trying to slim down for a
class reunion, wedding, or other family event.
Once you are clear on what you would like to accomplish, it will be
easier to find the person who has the experience and qualifications to
help you get there.
Where Do I Find Trainers to Interview?
There are several ways to locate trainers. Word of mouth through
friends, colleagues, or your family doctor are good places to start.
You might also check your Yellow Pages under “Personal Trainers,”
“Health Clubs,” and “Exercise and Physical Fitness.”
Another great resource is the National Strength & Conditioning
Association (NSCA), one of the largest nationally recognized fitness
organizations (www.nsca-lift.org).
Questions You Should Ask a Prospective Trainer
Once you have found a trainer who look promising, you need to learn as
much about their qualifications as possible. The first and most
important question you should ask is “What qualifies you to be a
personal trainer?” NSCA and Certified Strength and Conditioning
Specialists (CSCS) are two nationally recognized certifications. A
background in exercise physiology, sports medicine, physical education,
or anatomy and physiology are also helpful because that tells you that
this individual has made a thorough study of the body and how it works.
It would also be a plus if your trainer were involved in some sort of
elite exercise him- or herself, such as body building.
If you need nutritional guidance from a trainer, make sure that he or
she has some kind of solid education and background in the subject.
Ask your prospective trainer what their goals are. If they tell you
they want to star in films or have their own sitcom on NBC, they are
probably not the right person for you.
You will also want to know the length of time a person has been working
as a trainer and how many clients they have coached.
The most important thing you can request are client referrals. Speaking
with people who have received fitness instruction from the trainer you
are considering will give you an idea whether he or she is the right
person for you.
Some questions you might consider asking clients are:
·How long have you worked with this trainer?
·Has he or she helped you to achieve your goals?
·Do you feel like this trainer makes efficient use of the time you have
together?
·Does this trainer clearly explain each exercise to you and help you to
perform it with good posture and body positioning?
·Have you ever been injured when working out with this trainer?
·Do you find him or her professional and supportive of your goals?
Starting Out: What to Expect
Once you have chosen a trainer, there are certain questions they should
ask you and evaluations they should perform.
First, they should be very clear about what your goals are and make
some suggestions as to how they can help you to achieve them.
Before even beginning an exercise program they should do a complete
physical evaluation of your strength, range of motion, flexibility,
current exercise routine (if you’ve been working out on your own), any
injuries you might have sustained over the years, and any physical
limitations you might have (such as a weak lower back or arthritis in
your knee or shoulder joints).
Once they have designed a unique program to fit your body type, level
of ability, and goals, they should be able to give you clear
instructions and a clear idea of how to correctly position your body on
any exercise ball, machine, or with any free weights.
You will only get the maximum benefit from each exercise and avoid
injury if your trainer is knowledgeable about physiology. They should
be able to coach you on correct posture, which includes good head,
neck, shoulder, arm, lower back, hip, and leg positions for each
machine or exercise.
Good posture and positioning of the body will enable you to perform
exercises correctly and without pain. If something is hurting you or
you feel undue strain, stop immediately and communicate this to your
fitness instructor. Improving your level of fitness takes effort,
endurance, and consistency, but not to the point of strain or injury.
A good workout program should include enough sets and repetitions of
each movement to challenge you and to fully work each body part. If you
are doing two sessions per week with a trainer, they should spend one
on upper body and abdominals and the second session on lower body and
abdominals. In other words, they should thoroughly work each section of
the body and allow it enough time to recover in between workouts.
Warning Signs
There are certain behaviors you should be aware of that might indicate
that a trainer is not being as professional as they should be with a
client.
A trainer should be a good listener, always attentive to your goals. If
your trainer is constantly using a lot of “I” and “me” statements, they
are not making good use of your time together. They should be focused
on your needs, your progress, and what you require.
A good trainer should always respect emotional boundaries. Beware of
trainers who want to tell you their life story, ask you for advice in
their career, or pour out their heartaches and stories about their love
life. You are their client, not their therapist. It is equally
time-wasting to work with a trainer who encourages you to take about
your own problems. In such a situation is it easy to feel sucked dry
emotionally and talk your way through your hour, instead of getting the
full workout you are there to do.
We are all human and have our ups and downs—and we mention them from
time to time—but this should first and foremost always be a
professional relationship from which you need to get a certain amount
of value for your physique.
Lastly, a good trainer should always keep upgrading your workout. If
weeks go by and someone is still having you do the same amount of sets
and reps with the same amount of weight, they are not helping you to
make progress. The body will eventually acclimate itself to any
exercise routine and it needs to be continually challenged.
If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to find a trainer
who will help you to meet your goals and improve your physique, energy
levels, and general health. Good luck!
About the Author
Philip Goglia is a Los Angeles-based nutritionist,
trainer, and author. Goglia has just released SmartJourney, a metabolic
food program that is personally tailored for each individual. “There is
no one-size-fits-all diet,” says Goglia. “We realize that everyone has
their own unique metabolic type, and we design a program just for you.”
For more information about effective exercise and nutrition, please
visit his website www.SmartJourney.com.
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