Things You'll Need:
- Time. Part of Training is making the time for your to exercise and take are of yourself.
- Money. Training costs range from $35-75 per hour depending on your location and the experience of the Trainer.
- The desire to create change in your body.
- Workout clothing. Unless you are running a marathon or training for a bike ride, you can probably get away with shorts and a T shirt. I recommend newer materials like Nike DriFit because it allows y
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Step 1
Know your goals and communicate them.
This is the most important thing I can stress. Only you know what you want to achieve working with a Trainer, so ask yourself what you want to accomplish and how much time you are willing to put towards this goal. This will save you time and money in working with a Trainer. -
Step 2
Get the right fit. If you are trying to design a new workout program then most Trainers will be able to help you with this, but if your goal is to train for a marathon, look for someone who is an active runner and has coached other runners.
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Step 3
Ask friends for recommendations. Do you have friends who use a Trainer? Ask them for advice and watch Trainers at work, do they explain and demonstrate exercises in a manner that you understand?
Most of my new clients have come from referrals from existing clients or people who have watched me working. Additionally you can use resources like Yelp, Citysearch and Google to find locally reviewed Trainers. -
Step 4
Check their education and certifications. Certifications require Trainers to have a working knowledge of human anatomy, exercise physiology, kinesiology and first aid. What this means is your Trainer will know how to safely push you towards reaching your goals.
There are a few standard nationally recognized certifications which most good trainers have, they are:
American Council on Exercise, ACE
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
American College of Sports Medicine (ASCM)
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
It’s also a good idea to make sure your trainer has a current CPR/AED certification. -
Step 5
Make a plan. Set SMART goals with timelines to measure progress. If you want to loose 10lbs in a month (a realistic goal) then ask your Trainer to have a plan for you to reach this goal. What will you do when you’re together and what exercises are you going to do on your own?
