How to Choose a Personal Trainer

A personal trainer can greatly improve your chances of attaining your fitness goals, so it's important to choose one who's certified, motivating and, above all, knowledgeable.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Health Club Memberships
• Personal Trainer Certification

1. Determine your fitness goal. Whether it's to lose weight or complete a marathon, a clear goal will help you narrow the choices of trainers and find one with related experience and expertise.

2. Consider where you want to work out. Location can often determine your selection of trainers.

3. Decide how much you're willing to spend. Trainers can cost anywhere from $25 to $200 an hour, depending on their professional background, clientele and services.

4. Research your options by requesting trainers' brochures from local gyms and asking for referrals from friends.

5. Check for certification. Your trainer should be certified by at least one nationally recognized organization, such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) or the National Strength and Conditioning Council (NSCC).

6. Check for personal liability insurance. Most trainers are required to carry insurance to protect their clients and themselves against personal injury and property loss.

7. Ask if the trainer knows CPR. Most certifications require CPR training, but it's good to ask anyway.

8. Talk with the trainer and determine whether you feel comfortable and confident with his or her skill level and dependability.

9. Set a date and time to begin training.

Tips & Warnings

• Some trainers are willing to train small groups, which can reduce your cost.
• If you haven't exercised in a while, prepare to be sore after your first training session. Ask your trainer for suggestions on how to ease the soreness.
• Alert your trainer to any orthopedic concerns you may have, such as shoulder, back or neck injuries.
• Check with your physician or health care provider before beginning an exercise program.

Who Can Help Sponsored

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[tamarastath]

on 9/16/2009 The link did not come out right. Sorry everyone. I do not want to lead anyone the wrong direction.
www.mynextfit.com/chrishagerman/ Follow this link and check out the keychain trainer for yourself. I also have found some great nutrition sites that I will talk about soon. Have a healthy day.

[tamarastath]

on 9/16/2009 If like me you were unable to afford a personal trainer, I was able to find a great alternative. This product would also be perfect for those who want to use in between sessions with their personal trainer. It is an ipod like device called the keychain trainer. It is the coolest fitness product that I have ever used. You plug it into your computer and answer a list of questions regarding your goals, abilities, and equipment you have available. It then pairs you up with a celebrity trainer who develops workouts for you. You download these workouts and presto! You can also use multiple trainers throughout the week; if you want to do yoga one day and strength training the next. Absolutely love it and I would recommend that anyone wanting to spice up their training to give it a try. Good luck to everyone in their pursuit for great health and fitness!
http://www.mynextfit.com/c...

[tamarastath]

on 9/16/2009 If like me you were unable to afford a personal trainer, I was able to find a great alternative. This product would also be perfect for those who want to use in between sessions with their personal trainer. It is an ipod like device called the keychain trainer. It is the coolest fitness product that I have ever used. You plug it into your computer and answer a list of questions regarding your goals, abilities, and equipment you have available. It then pairs you up with a celebrity trainer who develops workouts for you. You download these workouts and presto! You can also use multiple trainers throughout the week; if you want to do yoga one day and strength training the next. Absolutely love it and I would recommend that anyone wanting to spice up their training to give it a try. Good luck to everyone in their pursuit for great health and fitness!
http://www.mynextfit.com/c...

[exercisejunkie]

on 6/17/2009 If you want to save money and get the personal training that you desire you should check out ExerciseTV online and On Demand. All of the workouts are free and range from celebrity fitness instructor lessons to yoga. Don't spend your money on gym memberships and personal trainers! These workouts are customizable and fun.
http://www.exercisetv.tv

[dannys]

on 12/5/2007 I believe you meant to say the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), not Council.

Danny Shell, M.S., ACSM/HFI, NSCA-CPT