Hiring a Personal trainer

All those countless hours at the gym, do you feel you have only made minor gains in your physique? Could you benefit from some professional guidance? Why not hire yourself a personal trainer? A personal trainer will design and help implement a safe and effective fitness program.

A personal trainer should be looked upon as someone that will not only motivate you, but educate you in the areas of fitness and nutrition. Any one could be a drill sergeant. A personal trainers job is to help guide you toward better life-style changes. Fitness is only one aspect to living healthier. Nutrition, stress management, and rest all play an important role to a healthier you.

Selecting a Personal Trainer

When you finally decide to go out and hire a personal trainer, where do you turn? First things first, do not hire a personal trainer solely on the way they look. Big muscles are not really credentials. A personal trainer should possess a certification from a well know reputable personal training agency. I recommend A.C.E (American Council on Exercise), A.C.S.M (American College of Sports Medicine) and AFFA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of American). If a personal trainer does not have a certification, they should hold a bachelors degree in either Physical Education, Athletic Training, or Exercise Science/Physiology. Having a personal trainer with good education credentials is important, However nothing beats years of experience in the fitness field. Look for a personal trainer with the combination of education and experience.

Where to find a Personal Trainer

1) Heath Club - You can usally find a personal trainer at your own health club. Make sure you ask around for the best possible trainer for you.

2) Internet - Some personal training agencies provide a referral service to help you locate a personal trainer in your area.

3) Ask your physican or a physical therapist - Many physicians and physical therapists work with reputable trainers in providing better medical services.

Interviewing a potential trainer

So you finally found a potential trainer. Here is a list of things you should ask your personal trainer.

1) Ask to see valid certification(s)/degrees(s).
2) Ask them how much experience do they have.
3) Ask them for referrals - past jobs and clients.
4) Ask if they carry professional liability insurance.
5) Ask them about fees. Personal training fees run from 30 -    60 dollars a session, on the average. Personal    trainers will also give discounts if you buy a block of    sessions.
6) Ask yourself this - Do you fell comfortable with the    trainers style? Do you think they can motivate and train    you safely?
This person is applying for a job, treat it like a real job interview.

Now you are ready to get started; wait a second, here is a list of protocols/services your trainer should be following.

1) A personal trainers job is to help you establish    attainable fitness goals.
2) Your trainer should be prepared to take a medical    history - have you ever had surgery, high cholesterol,    back problems, do you smoke ect...
3) Your trainer should ask past and present exercise habits.
4) Your personal trainer should do a fitness assessment on    you. Weight, body compostion, blood pressure, heart rate,    recovery heart rate, and various strength test. This will    give both of you a starting point. It will help determine    your present fitness levels, and what areas need to be    worked on.

Now you are ready to get into shape. You have done your research, hired a qualified trainer, and now together you will be striving toward your fitness goals. Good luck!

Until next time, stay Healthy and Fit!

Jerry Del Priore, has four years experience as a Personal Trainer. He is currently working in a recreation program with disabled kids, in a foster care and adoption agency located in Manhattan.