Who needs personal training?

When to hire a trainer

There are many reasons people hire personal trainers. They range from being new to strength training and wanting to be shown how to use the equipment to a bodybuilder getting ready for a competition. In any case, a personal trainer can help you achieve your goals whatever they may be.

So when does it make sense to hire a trainer? Here are just a few reasons:

• You are tired of being trapped in an unhealthy body and have made a decision to transform yourself

• You have never worked out and want to live a healthier lifestyle

• You stopped working out and now want to get back in shape

• You have been working out but not getting results

• You have specific fitness goals you want to achieve but don't know how

• You are pretty good at strength training but your diet is a mess

• You are inconsistent with your workouts and or diet

• You want to take your training to the next level

• You are a competitor and want to bring your best to the stage

Whatever your reason is, a good personal trainer will work with you to determine realistic goals and help you achieve them. Due to the personal aspect of working with a trainer (they will know how much you weigh, what you eat, what you look like at your worst, etc.) you should choose someone who is right for you. We've rounded up a few criteria to help you decide.

Certification and Experience

Trainers should have and be able to show an accredited personal training certification. While certification is not everything, it shows a commitment to their profession. Some common certifications include National Academy of Sports Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine, and International Sports Sciences Association. If you are looking for something specific, make sure their certification matches up with what your goals are. For example, if you are training for a marathon, you should look for a trainer who specializes in running. More importantly, you will want to find someone with a good level of experience. A certification only goes so far without the experience to back it up. Look for someone who has trained people with similar goals, or has experience with people in your age group, or physical limitations. You will want to work with someone who understands your particular situation and knows how to address it in the most effective way.

Comfort Factor

Remember, this person will be seeing you at your most vulnerable self. Make sure it is someone you feel safe with and can trust. It's called "personal" training for a reason; it gets very personal. In order to get your best results, you will need to be honest about your eating habits, alcohol use, and activities outside of the gym. Trainers are like "gym bartenders"; their clients tell them everything. While you don't necessarily need to be friends with your trainer, you should at least feel comfortable enough with them to have honest conversation.

Beware the "One Trick Pony"

As mentioned earlier, a good trainer will help you determine what your specific goals are will help you achieve them. When doing your research, look for trainers who have a wide range of experience in your area of interest. Just because a trainer has had success at helping people lose weight, does not necessarily mean they can guide another to morph into a certain look or help a bodybuilder get ready for stage. There are subtleties to each that do not translate. Some trainers are really good at one thing and that's okay as long as it exactly matches your goals. The issues come to surface when things change or you "get stuck"; they simply lack the experience and or knowledge to adjust their programs accordingly. They may have a singular diet concept that works for a while but when your body adjusts and is no longer responding, they don't know what to do. One good metric is to look at the longevity of their clients - how long clients stay with them and the success they have experienced. Another is the diversity of their clients. Do they serve various age groups, men and women, beginner to advanced? See if you can talk to those clients and get some first-hand feedback on the trainer's ability to respond to their needs.

Affordability

Let's face it; personal training can be expensive. Their rates can range anywhere between $25 for a beginner "big box" gym trainer, and $300 per hour for an in-demand pro. Consider your budget when choosing a trainer. If you find someone you love who is outside of your price range, see if they offer packages at a discount or small group training. The point is to ask; the worst that can happen is they say no and you move on.

Bottom Line

Once you have made the decision to hire a personal trainer, check in with your level of commitment. If you find a trainer who is right for you, it is likely you will find yourself continuing long-term. Be ready to reveal your weaknesses with somebody you can trust to be on your side, coaching and guiding you to be your best self. Show up for them and they will show up for you ten-fold.