How to Find the Best Personal Trainer
If you’re looking for a personal trainer, there are some questions you will want to learn to ask. If you just hire the first one at the gym, you may be sorry later.
Certifications are important, but they aren’t the only thing you’ll want to look for. There are a plethora of certifications, many of which can be gotten online without any real one-on-one training. One of the most important accreditations is the “NASM” or National Academy of Sports Medicine certification. You may also want your trainer to have a degree in kinesiology; this will indicate his or her knowledge of the science which deals with the study of human movement. It shows that they have gone further than just getting their “personal trainer” degree.
Do your homework when you are looking for a personal trainer. There are a lot of different things that go into the mix, one of these being certifications. Be careful, however, because a certification obtained online does not necessarily mean they have worked, one-on-one, with a client. It also doesn’t indicate that they have done the work it takes to be qualified as a personal trainer. If someone pays $100 to take a class on the Internet that certainly does not indicate that they know how to work closely with a client. Be thorough in your search; learn what to look for and what questions to ask.
You will also want to make sure your personal trainer has the kind of personality that meshes with yours. Are you a laid back kind of person? Then, you may not want someone who is a hard-core, driven kind of trainer. Is punctuality important to you? Make sure your trainer shows up for his or her appointment on time. This will become obvious after a few scheduled appointments.
One of the best ways to choose your trainer may be to just observe them with other clients. Watch the way they work; see how their client reacts to them. Listen to their tone, their instructional voice. As yourself, “would I want to work with that person?” If the answer is yes, then take the next step and interview them to see if they have the education and qualifications you’re looking for. You’ll be glad you did.
Carrie Pepper writes about more than 100 topics, including online colleges, scholarships, hobbies, and careers.