On the road to fitness there are many obstacles. You may have worked out at a gym for weeks, months or even years without the desired results. This means that you have been doing something wrong. A personal trainer can help you in these tough times by designing a custom workout program as well as providing motivation to keep you working toward your fitness goals.
But finding the right trainer can be a little confusing if not a daunting task. Personal trainers can become a life long friend who will guide you down the right path to fitness. A wrong selection in this regard will not only make your workouts less enjoyable, but will practically fail to produce any result. Therefore, selection of the right trainer becomes an important consideration and you will require a comprehensive guide to aid you in your decision process:
- Set Your Goals: Determine your fitness goals first before starting the hunt. The purpose might be losing weight or taking part in a marathon, but in any case, a clear goal will help you narrow down the choices! Then it will be easier for you to find one with related experience and expertise.
- Check the Certification of a Personal Trainer: Check the credentials of the trainer to ensure that the trainer is equipped to deal with injuries, if any, and doesn't put you on an unhealthy regimen. The trainer must be certified in professional fitness courses from a reputable personal training organization. In the US, personal trainers should be with certifications issued by an organization which is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NCCA has 26-years of experience in authorizing health professions such as dietitians, nurses, athletic trainers and occupational therapists.
- Check the Experience of the Trainer: The trainer should have worked with other clients, who have belonged to your age group and fitness levels. For example, if you want the trainer for a specific sport like a marathon, make sure the trainer has trained people with these specific requirements.
- Ask for References: Find out the names, phone numbers and even the testimonials of other clients who have worked with your trainer. Call up those people and have a chat with them about the trainer's skills. Inquire whether the personal trainer was professional, punctual and prepared to meet the needs of his/her clients.
- Select Economic Options: Personal trainers charge anywhere from Rs. 200 to Rs. 2,000 per session in India (and $30 to $100 per session in US) depending on experience, education and clientele base. Pricey options do not necessarily mean that he is going to give you the best service. Do your costing right so that the trainer's fee does not burn a hole in your pocket.
- Look for Convenience: Make sure your trainer stays nearby your locality so that he can arrive at the right time. This way you will not miss out workout sessions. If you can only train in the mornings or in the evenings, make sure the trainer is available.
- Know the Personal Trainer's Personality: This is the most crucial aspect of choosing the right personal trainer. It's important to choose a personal trainer you can feel comfortable working with. Set up appointments with several trainers to discuss your fitness goals and assess how you can go along with each of them!
- Check How the Trainer Tracks Progress: If a fitness trainer can gauge your success then you can choose to rely upon him. Make sure he has specific tools to measure your progress. Tracking helps you better see how well you are doing and find out what areas you need to work on.
- Go for Trial sessions: Don't be shy to ask for a trial session. Make sure he is willing to listen as well as talk. Pay keen attention in this training session. Is this somebody you will feel comfortable working out with? Does he or she motivate you to perform better?
Choose a trainer who has adequate education and with whom your comfort levels are the maximum. Set a date and time for your workout session. Physical trainers are no less than teachers and their instructions are extremely important to give your fitness goals a concrete shape.
