5 Tips for Hiring a Trainer
Did you know that personal training is a largely unregulated field. Just about anyone can claim to be a
trainer. Believe it or not, there are agencies out there that "sell" certifications. As a consumer, it is in your best
interest to weed out the good from the bad. The knowledgable from the pretenders. The professionals from the amateurs.
Hopefully, my list of the Top 5 Things To Look For When Choosing A Trainer will help you make an informed decision
before you hire a trainer. Your health and wellbeing are too important to trust with just anyone.
1) Is the trainer certified by a major, reputable organization?
Like I said, there are organizations that "sell" certifications. All they require is a simple, online quiz. If you pass, which
anyone can, you pay them, and....certification is in the mail. So what are the BEST certifications a trainer can
earn? ACE, NSCA, ACSM. To earn a certification from these organizations, a trainer must pass rigorous testing, both
written and practical. Most people do not pass these tests on their first try. If the trainer is certified by ACE, NSCA, or ACSM,
they probably have a good base of fitness knowledge.
2) Does the trainer have a four year degree in a fitness related field?
This is where we really start to separate the good trainers from the best. Very few trainers out there have four year degress
in fields like Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, or Physical Education. Having one of these degrees
means the trainer dedicated four years of his/her life to the study of the human body, how it responds to exercise, and how
to train it properly. This type of education goes way beyond what is required to pass a personal trainer exam. Many of the
university classes are taken alongside pre med and nursing students. A trainer with a four year degree understands the
human body and knows how to train it properly. But why stop with an undergrad degree? Try to find a trainer with two
undergrad degrees in fitness related fields. Or how about a Masters Degree?
Just remember, when it comes to your health, go for the best.
3) How long has the trainer been training?
Yes fitness knowledge is important, but there are other skills that make a good trainer as well. Being able to motivate,
communicate, and bond with clients are important attributes that the best trainers possess. These are skills that develop
over time and are not taught in college. They come from experience. They come from working with clients from all walks
of life, with different goals, attitudes, and personalities. Look for a trainer who has at least 10, yes 10 years of experience.
A trainer that has been working that long has most likely developed the people skills needed to be successful with all types
of clients. A trainer with experience will find the way to motivate you and keep you on track. That means results!
4) Is the trainer CPR certified?
The most reputable certifying agencies require current CPR training for their trainers. This is so important, since most of the
time, it will be just you and your trainer together. Should an emergency come up, you want to be sure that your trainer will
know how to respond.
5) Does the trainer have refrences you can call?
Every trainer has testimonials on their websites. But really, is there anyway to know if those testimonials are from real clients
or are they simply made up? Make sure the trainer has actual references that you can call and talk to.
If they don't, they are not the right trainer for you.
