It’s no secret that hiring a personal trainer can be a great way of getting in shape, shedding fat, and discovering a new love for exercise. However, finding the right personal trainer for you is not always as simple as it sounds. All of you most likely have a friend or acquaintance who initially hired a personal trainer with the best intentions, but then stopped seeing them after a while as it just wasn’t working out as they hoped, or giving them the results that they wanted. In truth, finding a good personal trainer is a fine art.
The internet is filled with people claiming to be qualified personal trainers who hold the secret to rapid fat loss and muscle gain, but not all of them are entirely reputable, or have the skills required to get you where you want to be. So, for those of you wondering ‘how can I find a good personal trainer?”, we have put together a quick list of top tips and points to consider. Designed to help you decide if hiring a personal trainer is really the correct thing for you, and work out what you should be looking for (and avoiding) in a potential personal trainer, make sure you read them carefully before committing to hiring any fitness professional’s services.
The best personal trainers are certified to work in their respective field, and many of them hold university degrees in exercise science or sports medicine, and certifications from various global fitness organisations.
Once they have shared their certifications with you, take a moment to make sure that the organisation that issued them is recognised by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). This will ensure that the certification meets all relevant international standards. Make sure they have CPR and first aid certifications, too. After all, accidents can happen whilst working out, and you should feel confident your personal trainer knows what to do in an emergency, or in the unfortunate case that you become injured.
Before committing to a personal trainer, ask to have an initial consultation session with them first. This will allow you to ask all the important questions - including how they compile their training plans, what their approach to fitness and nutrition is, and how they measure results and success - and get a feel for them and what they are like as a person.
You can also discuss practical issues such as rates, availability, and schedules in your consultation, and find out more about their background and experience. After your consultation is concluded, you will have an infinitely clearer idea about whether that personal trainer is right for you. In fact, this is exactly why we provide all new potential clients at Embody Fitness with a free consultation with our expert team.
There are various ‘red flags’ or signs that indicate that a personal trainer may not be the most professional one on the market. A good personal trainer should screen you for injuries, note your limitations, and assess your abilities and fitness levels before you begin training. Not doing so is a big warning sign.
Any personal trainer that tries to sell you certain brands of supplements, guarantees immediate results, or tries to make you sign a contract before you’ve had a trial session should also be avoided, not to mention anyone who doesn’t listen to your thoughts and feelings, or who seems bored and disinterested when you are talking.
On the other end of the spectrum, it's equally important to recognise the positive signs that indicate that a personal trainer is the right one for you. During your initial session with them, monitor the way they interact with you, and note if they are attentive, encouraging, and engaged in what you are saying. If so, it bodes well that they will be able to keep you motivated and inspired throughout your fitness journey.
Your personal trainer should also give knowledgeable feedback on your form and technique. After all, one of the biggest benefits of hiring a personal trainer is learning how to work out safely, and get maximum benefit from every rep. Finally, a personal trainer will tell you that results can be measured in other ways than the scale. They should celebrate you getting stronger, having more energy, sleeping better, and feeling like you are less stressed and anxious.
Above all, you should feel confident that your personal trainer has your best interest at heart, and that they can help you develop healthy habits that you will keep with you for a lifetime.
At Embody Fitness, all our trainers are committed to educating clients about the science and theories behind fitness and nutrition, and ensuring that they keep on making progress long after their time with us has concluded.
Spanning one-on-one training, ladies’ only training, and two-to-one training, you can find out more about our personal training programmes here.
