How To Choose a Trainer

So you have a fitness goal and you want to hire a personal trainer to help you achieve it. Whether it be losing weight for an upcoming reunion, fitting into a new swimsuit this summer, or lowering your blood pressure to avoid a major health crisis, hiring a personal trainer can definitely lead you in the right direction toward reaching your goals.

What should you look for when hiring a trainer? No, not the hottest guy in the gym! As someone who is far from being considered the hottest guy in the gym, it infuriates me when I see a trainer who knows nothing about training have a full schedule just because he is good-looking! Yes, I'm bitter!

Here are few things you should consider when you are thinking about hiring a trainer:

1. Find a trainer who's educated! Just because someone has a good body does not mean he knows what is best for you to reach your goals. Someone with a degree in exercise physiology or an accredited certification has the knowledge to determine how best to train you pertaining to your goals. Some of the best certifications in the United States are from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE) and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Make sure the trainer's certification is current. In doing so, the trainer has to continue to take educational courses, which will ensure he/she is up on the latest fitness information.

2. How much money are you willing to spend? Let's face it. Hiring a personal trainer ain't cheap! But when it comes to your health and fitness, it's the best money you will ever spend. That said, there are trainers who charge an enormous amount of money and those who charge relatively little. Several factors for this are degrees, certifications, years of experience, training location (in home or gym) and what I like to call "recognition factor."

I knew of a trainer who appeared on the television show "Work Out" who charged a crazy amount of money just because he was on TV. Did that make him a better trainer? No. But it did make him more in demand, and because of that he felt he could increase his prices.

Once you find out how much a trainer charges for one session, ask if he/she has any specials such as training packages. Some trainers will charge less per session if you pay for 10 sessions in advance, which I find is actually good for the client for two reasons. First, it's cheaper. Duh. Second, if you pay for something, you will most likely make sure to use it. If the cost is still too high, ask if the trainer has buddy sessions. These are sessions you share with another person, usually a friend or family member. The price usually lowers quite a bit with buddy sessions.

3. Find out the trainer's training style. What type of training will motivate you to stay consistent with an exercise program? Is the guy who trains like a drill sergeant, yelling at you to do five more reps until you barf, the type you seek? Or is the one who encourages you with positive feedback and more of a gentle nudge your cup of green tea? If you are currently working out at a gym, I encourage you to observe the trainers there. Check out their training style and rapport with his/her clients. This will also allow you to see how focused the trainer is on his/her client. I can't tell you how many times I see a trainer chatting on his cell phone or with another member while the client is doing an exercise incorrectly!

The best way to see if a trainer you are considering hiring is for you is to meet face to face. Most trainers will give you a free consultation. It's a great way to see if your personalities click and if you like his/her training style.

Trainers are a great way to stay motivated, educated and consistent. Hiring the right trainer should not be rushed. Ask a lot of questions. You are putting your health and safety into someone else's hands. Once you find the right trainer you will most likely also find a good friend as well.

Do you have a question for Bobby about how to improve your time in the gym? Send us an email.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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A.C.E.- and N.A.S.M.-certified, Bobby Solorio has been personal training for over 10 years. You might recognize him from Bravo TV's "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List," where he trains his now-A-list client. For more info check out Bobby's website. 

Comments

[Joe Cannon,MS, CSCS, NSCA-CPT]

These are some of the best points Ive seen on how to choose a personal trainer! I am an exercise physiologist and personal trainer who also has certified thousands of fitness trainers over the years. I have also written a book on personal training (Personal Fitness Training: Beyond The Basics). That teaches trainers what they need to know to be safe and effective.

The point about not hiring the most well developed trainer in the gym is spot on! I have seen the test scores of thousands of trainers over the last decade and almost invariably, the bigger and more developed the person is, the lower the test score! Makes sense since those people are working their muscles more than their brains.

When scooping out a new trainer, ask them who they are certified by. I dont care which organization it is. Rather, I want to know if they can tell me the name. BOTTOM LINE: If they cant tell you the name of the org in 1 second, walk away.
Joe Cannon, MS, CSCS, NSCA-CPT

[Danny]

Great article. And ya look hot to me!

Now where do I sign up? :)

[Charlie]

I know getting sore is part of the bargain when you start working out but for some reason it doesn't seem to go away. I know I haven't pulled anything, my muscles are just plain sore the day after my workout, so sore I can't lift my arms above my head. It then starts to get better the next day.

Is this normal, and if so what can I do to help cope with this? I know I'm going to get pissed off and quit if I keep getting so sore that I can move fully the next day. Help?

[Mike]

Ok, so here's the deal. I turned 40 last year. (Not even thinking about 41 this year yet..lol). Until 10 years ago I was in great shape, worked out on a regular basis, and always ate healthy. That being said, I was NOT a gym bunny, just wanted to take care of myself. 10 years ago I suffered an accident that really messed up my back and neck. in 2001 I had to undergo surgery on my back to correct the 2 herniated discs there. This surgery was a 360 global fusion. This means they went in from the front and the back, placed 4 rods, and more screws and plates than I can remember right now, not little surgery. I was back on my feet in a couple weeks, and with months of physical therapy I am now back to work and doing great, even though I still have 4 unresolved heriations in my neck. Where is all this going you ask? I have not been able to find a trainer that can taylor a work out routine that will work with my limitations. In the past 10 years I have seen my body get a bit flabby, I now have a small pouch, and my once beatiful legs (I was most proud of my legs...lol) are now just instruments to get me from place to place, and not much to look at...Does anyone know of any personal trainers out there that might be able to work with me.....and my limitations? You can contact me directly at MikeRay33 at sbcglobal dot net. I would really appreciate any leads you can give me.

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