FAQs
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Locating and choosing a personal trainer can be a difficult task. Are they qualified? Will our personalities gel? What's their area of expertise? What is their training style? Do they have insurance? All these and many more questions come to mind when trying to sift through the myriad options of gyms, studios, home trainers, etc. available (I don't envy your position). But to make your task a bit easier, here are some answers to a few of those basic questions related to finding a personal trainer. "Where are they located?" This plays the biggest role in narrowing down your search (that world-renowned trainer in D.C. does you no good when you live in San Diego). Think drive time, not distance. But remember, the gym next door is not necessarily your best option. 15-20 minutes is definitely not too far to drive for a good trainer. Set that as your distance, and start looking in that area. "What kind of atmosphere does their location have?" Decide what training environment works best for you- whether you want to train in a big, membership gym environment, a smaller private studio type of environment, or at home or outside. There are good trainers in all these types of venues. Each venue has its benefits, as well as its drawbacks. Smaller, private studios and gyms don't offer quite as many services as their larger counterparts, but they usually don't have monthly membership fees and are significantly less crowded, limiting distractions and ensuring an uninterrupted workout. They also dont have the environmental limitations that outdoor and home training workouts encounter. Pick which atmosphere suits your personality and goals the best. "What qualifications does he/she have?" Make sure your trainer has a certification from a nationally recognized certifying body (NSCA, NASM, ISSA, ACE, CHEK are the most popular). This ensures not only that your trainer has a good knowledge base, but that they are keeping current in the latest developments and trends in the fitness industry. Your trainer should also carry liability insurance and hold current CPR/AED certification as well. In you trainer's bio, look for special certifications, education and/or experience related to your personal needs and goals (if you are still recovering from a knee surgery, look for someone with experience in rehab and post-rehab training that will help you, not hurt you). "What kind of testimonials do they have?" Most trainers and gyms have testimonials on their websites. Look for ones that specifically reference the trainer you have in mind. Look for the testimonials to be genuine and see how other's experiences match up with your goals. But be careful to take them for what they are (a trainer is not going to post a bad testimonial). While I wouldn't bet the farm on them, they do help to paint a picture of your trainer and fill in some of the blanks. "Should I get a referral?" Most often a referral from a friend or close associate can be a slam dunk (assuming you trust your friends). You know them personally, can see their progress and changes with your own eyes, and have heard them complain the next day about how hard their workout was and how sore they were. Often, a trainer will agree to do a semi-private session with both you and your friend to give you a chance to try it out. This allows you to get a feel for what a workout with that trainer would entail. Just make sure your friend's goals and needs match up fairly closely with yours. "How much should I pay?" First, your budget will be your main consideration (unless you're a Hollywood movie star, $150/hour five days a week is probably out of the question). Second, your location will dictate the general price range (uptown Manhattan versus backwoods Minnesota). Third, prices will vary upon type of gym, with private home trainers being most expensive, down to your local YMCA usually being the cheapest. My suggestion is to set a price range, but don't be afraid to go a little on the high side. $50-75/ hour is perfectly acceptable. In personal training, you usually get what you pay for.