Getting into Shape: How to Hire a Personal Trainer

When you’re serious enough about getting and/or keeping your body in shape that you’re trying to find out how to hire a personal trainer, you want to make sure that you really hire the best of the best. There are so many personal trainers out there and not all of them are equipped to help you bring about the spectacular performance and progress that you are trying to achieve. Let’s talk about the key steps that you need to take when considering a personal trainer—steps that will shave off wasted time and help get you in enviable shape in no time!  If you don’t know where to start be sure to visit Certified Personal Trainer to see information about different cities.

Determine What It Is You’re After

Finding the right trainer is all about seeking someone who knows how to achieve the goals you’re aiming for. If you don’t even know want you want, how can you find the right person for the job? Make a concise list of what you want to achieve and find someone who specializes in those particular areas. If your goal is to lose 50 pounds, you want someone who deals with cardio, strength training, and nutrition and supplements that will help get you there. If you want to bulk up and get strong, you want someone who knows the ins and outs of lifting and the specific nutrition that you need to put on muscle. Are you training to run a marathon or just want to be fit enough to run up a flight of stairs without being out of breath? The expertise needed depends on how far you want to go.

Evaluate Potential Trainers

There are many review sites online where you can get an idea of the quality of the personal trainers in your area. A quick Google search will turn up local personal trainers along with reviews and ratings of their services. Choose a few of the best that you find, and head out to meet them with your list of goals in hand. When you talk to them, make sure that your personalities are a good fit. Even the best trainer in the world will be no use to you if you can’t communicate with them. Do they listen? Do they explain things in as much detail as you like? Do they talk about nutrition or are they solely focused on exercise? (That one’s a red flag, FYI.) Does their own body reflect the promises that they’re making for yours?

Consider Your Budget & Their Certifications

Many times, a trainer’s price is based on the certifications that they hold. A great trainer can be a costly investment, but it is indeed a good investment and you certainly get what you pay for if you’ve chosen well. Remember that certifications aren’t just pieces of paper, but reflections of the time that they have spent training to be the best at what they do. ACE, ACSM, NASM, NSCA, and Crossfit are the five most popular certifications out there, just in case you’re really wanting to drill down and do some research to make sure that a trainer is certified in the areas that you’re most interested in.

Once you’ve taken those three factors into consideration, you’ll be ready to trial your chosen personal trainer and make sure that they are really a good fit for you. We recommend sticking around for 6-12 workout sessions before you make up your mind. It will take at least six sessions to see significant physical results and it might take as many as 12 to feel completely comfortable with them, or to realize that you simply are not a good match.

Remember that it’s OK to evaluate and reevaluate your personal trainer as you continue to work with them. They are working for you and your needs should absolutely be met. If there are things you’re unhappy with, share that with them and see what they do to handle it. Not every trial period ends positively and a real professional will understand that and let you move on to someone else. When you finally do find that right fit, you’ll be glad you toughed it out with the process to find the trainer that you deserve!

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