How to Hire A Personal Trainer

A personal trainer can help you reach your fitness goals, but you need to know how to hire a personal trainer. Here is a checklist of what to look for in a personal trainer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Certification - There are many certification organizations in the fitness industry. Some certify almost anybody but the high quality organizations require at least a few months of study and being able to pass a comprehensive exam. You should only hire a personal trainer who has been certified by one of the better organizations, such as the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). And make sure that the certification is current; most expire after a year or two unless the trainer takes continuing education courses.

2. University Degree - A fitness related bachelor's or master's degree is usually even better than a certification. Look for degrees in exercise physiology, exercise science, physical education, or kinesiology. A
   university degree plus certification is very impressive.

3. References - Good personal trainers have satisfied customers and won't hesitate to put you in touch with them. You should ask for references who are the same age and gender as you and whose fitness goals are similar to yours. This will help you determine whether the trainer is skilled in dealing with your particular needs.

4. Liability Insurance - A personal trainer should carry liability insurance to protect clients against injury.

5. CPR And First Aid - A personal trainer should be certified in CPR and first aid so that he/she can handle emergency situations.

6. Fees - Fees for personal training can vary greatly depending on the trainer's experience, clientele, and services. You should research fees for trainers in your area to get an idea of what the range is like. As a general rule, be wary of trainers at either end of the fee spectrum.

7. Schedule - What hours does the trainer have available and what flexibility will there be in scheduling your workouts? The whole point of hiring a personal trainer is to get the personal instruction and motivation you need at times that are convenient for you.

8. Compatibility - Before you hire a personal trainer, you need to interview him/her and go through a trial workout with him/her. Are the two of you compatible? Is the trainer professional, knowledgable, attentive, and motivating? Do you feel comfortable working out with him/her? Will you look forward to coming to workouts with him/her?
   A trainer can look good on paper or in person but that doesn't mean he/she is right for you.

[alfredos]

on 9/19/2009 I wouldn't lump AFAA and ACSM in the same category of "better organizations." In fact, unless the trainer has a great rep., years of experience, a college degree in exercise, or many other certifications, I would be very wary of an AFAA certified trainer. A 3-day workshop which isn't NCCA accredited shouldn't make anyone qualified to train others.