How to Find the Right Personal Trainer

How to Find

THE RIGHT Personal Trainer

The expense of signing up with a personal trainer leads many people to rule the idea out, but there are many situations in which they can be an invaluable partner in your fitness journey. Whether you want to lose weight or reach a very specific fitness goal, get yourself back on track after an injury or another detour or want to revitalize your workout with new, correctly done cardio or strength exercises, finding the right trainer can save you from getting hurt and propel you in the right direction.

1. CRYSTALIZE WHY YOU’RE DOING THIS

You don’t need to pinpoint precise goals such as losing X number of pounds or lifting X many pounds, though it does help set a boundary on your time commitment to the training sessions. You do need to know why you’re willing to pay for the trainer’s experience. Share a detailed description of your interests and concerns and have a list of questions.

2. DECIDE WHERE YOU WANT TO TRAIN

A large gym will likely have the most trainers with the widest variety of specialties. A smaller or boutique gym is ideal for building a supportive community with staff and clients. If you want to stay at home, an online trainer has pros (round-the-clock availability, convenience, cost) as well as cons (no real-time feedback if the trainer prepares your video ahead of time).

3. RESEARCH TRAINERS

You can start by simply booking consultations with

trainers at gyms close to you or use the online tools available such as Trainerize. me, similar to a dating app but for finding in-person and online trainers. Other sites include fitnesstrainer. com and bark.com (a general professional services site, but personal training is one of its top categories). Look for details about experience with reaching goals similar to yours personally or through clients, as well as degrees in exercise science or certifications including NSCA, ACSM and NPTI. 4. SHORT-TERM COMMITMENT

When you feel you’ve found the right trainer for you, set your schedule and pay for a limited number of sessions; many trainers sell them in packages of five or six. Make sure you put your best efforts into following the trainer’s instruction and communicating any concerns you have. If you’re not happy at the end of the trial period, don’t be afraid to move on. If you’re feeling encouraged about your journey, fantastic! Keep going!

ENJOY THE CURRENT ISSUE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME WITH AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION