How To Pick A Personal Trainer
Written by Kathryn Savage
No, you don’t need to be a gym rat, a marathon runner or a yogi, but moving every day is a great thing to do for your body. So what if you lack motivation?
A great and usually more-affordable-than-you-think option, might just be to hire a personal trainer.
Who to Hire?
You don’t need to hire Hulk Hogan, you need someone you feel comfortable working with. A personal trainer should be someone who understands your unique emotional and physical needs, goals and challenges. You are making an effort to fit more physical activity into your busy life, you want to work with someone who understands where you’re at, and is going to encourage your progress along the way.
But Isn’t that Expensive?
Bottom line - a trainer is there to inspire, support, educate and encourage. Not to steal half your paycheck. Hire a trainer you feel comfortable working with within your budget. There are great trainers that work within any budget range. Trust me, I’ve hired a trainer before and if little old freelance writer me can afford a trainer so can you.
How do I Know this Guy/Gal is Legit?
So you found an affordable trainer you like? Great! The next step is to make sure the trainer is certified by the American Council of Exercise (ACE), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), or the National Strength Conditioning Association (NSCA). If you are hiring a yoga or pilates instructor, ask the instructor where they received their certification and how many hours went towards their training. You want someone who has completed 200 or more training hours, and/or someone who has been teaching their practice for at least one year.
Define Your Goals and Give It A Try
Have a talk with your trainer about what your goals are. Be honest about what your challenges and limitations are, emotionally and physically. Once you and your trainer are on the same page, take a test drive! See if you can meet for a free or low cost session. Before you commit, you should know what you are getting yourself into. Also, the most cost effective way to pay a trainer is often in lump sums, 5 sessions for....10 sessions for.....before going down that path see if it’s a road you want to travel.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
