Have you ever considered using the services of a personal trainer to help you get in shape? Well, I have been in the training business for a number of years and have made some important observations. Since my mission is to provide you with the most valuable information I can, I’d like to suggest that you read this before you spend your first dollar. You will not regret.

Millions of dollars are spent each year on private sessions with personal trainers and the results are often limited. Sometimes women aren’t even sure what results to expect. And they are never asked what results they want.

Often when women are asked why they want to work with a trainer, they are somewhat puzzled. Then they stutter: “I need someone to make sure I work out” or “I want to get in shape.” Go one step further and ask them what results they are really looking for and they will once again stop in their tracks. It is very important that you know what to expect so that your exercise prescription can be designed with your specific goals in mind.

Hiring a personal trainer is one of the best investments you can make if you want to get in shape.

Time and time again I have seen women walk into the gym day after day exercising on their own with absolutely no results. They are definitely engaged. They are willing to spend their time and effort. But designing a fitness program is a science with countless variables, and knowledge is needed to make exercise sessions more effective and safer.

Most women won’t ask the questions they need to ask. They just manage on their own. And many do a good job of getting out of trouble. But there comes that time when, to really break through and get impressive results, you need to consult a professional. After all, how many people can learn to play the piano or ski well without some expert guidance?

However, once they take the step of hiring a personal fitness trainer to guide them, many clients don’t push their trainers enough and many trainers don’t get results for their clients. They have a good time together chatting and catching up, but it ends up being more social than sweating.

Securing the right personal fitness trainer isn’t always easy to do. Most women have no way of knowing who is and who is not a good coach. Although the fitness industry is working hard to improve the image of fitness professionals, there are still many practitioners who believe that just because they know how to get fit or care, they are qualified to train other people.

Here are some of the potential dangers:

By the client:

The client…

. He is not clear what he wants to achieve.

. Does not demand the best of the coach.

. Accept unacceptable behavior from the coach;

i.e. tardiness, inattention, no record of sessions
to track progress, talk while client exercises, use
of cell phones during the training session, or not
planning sessions with an eye on results.

From the trainer:

Coach…

. You don’t ask the customer what he really wants.

. Does not personalize sessions, using repetitive training.

. Does not set goals with the client.

. You don’t dress properly.

. It does not hold the client responsible, accepting the unacceptable behavior of the client; ie cancellations, delays, no-shows.

. Does not monitor the client during the session.

. Accept less than perfect form.

. Does not continuously instruct the client.

. It does not educate the client.

Get the client/coach relationship you want

There are several ways you can ensure that you are selecting the trainer that is right for you. Here are some guidelines:

Chemistry

Not all trainers and clients suit each other.

The first thing you need to do is make some decisions before even interviewing the head coach. Do you want someone who is “tough” like a drill sergeant or are you attracted to a softer type of training? Do you want someone younger or someone more mature? Do you feel more comfortable working with a man or a woman? If you have a preference, for God’s sake, don’t waste your time talking to anyone else. You need to feel comfortable with the person you select. They end up spending a lot of time together. You need to find someone you can trust. After all, you will have to be willing to give in to their training, so you must feel that whatever they suggest is in your best interest.

Philosophy

What is your training philosophy? How do they work with clients? How do they feel about what they do? Do they take their work seriously? Are they committed to fitness as a career? Are you continually engaging in educating yourself on the most current developments and techniques in fitness? As in any discipline, research is always being done, producing new insights into the most effective ways to get results, and if you’re truly committed to your chosen profession, you’ll want to find the most valuable information.

specialty

There are coaches who are more effective with athletes; some work well with seniors, some with disabilities, some with pregnant women.

You need to know what you are looking for. What kind of coach do you want? If you are a 50 year old woman and you hire a trainer who is interested in working with young bodybuilders, you will surely be disappointed with your training sessions.

Credentials

You want to know what degrees and/or certifications they have. I don’t mean to suggest that there aren’t great coaches who don’t have the best credentials, but the quality of their education is a good indicator of their dedication to putting in the effort. They are not willing to go unnoticed with the slightest training. And do they continue to educate themselves and keep up with the latest training techniques?

References

Ask for references. How do their current and past customers feel about them?

Some other important items

Do they have hours that are flexible enough to fit your schedule? They need to accommodate you; it is not necessary to accommodate them.

Take a look at his personal appearance. Are they neat, clean, well groomed? Do they take pride in their appearance? A word of warning here. If you find that the coach is more interested in looking in the mirror than looking at you, you need to find someone else. His attention should be on you at all times.

Are they reliable and fast? Did they arrive on time for the interview? After all, you’ll be paying them for their time, so they need to be there when they’re scheduled.

And you’re not out of the woods. Once you’ve committed to personal training and found a trainer you want to work with, there are a few rules you must abide by. . .. if you want to get the most out of your personal training.

You need to be on time for your training sessions.

You need to make your fitness a priority. Canceling sessions frequently shows a lack of commitment to the program. Consistency is important.

If cancellation is unavoidable, you must notify your coach well in advance. After all, it is their business and what they sell is their time.

You must follow the coach’s instructions without complaining. After all, you have put your trust in them.

You must inform your coach if you have a physical problem. That will allow them to make smart decisions about their training session. Don’t assume it doesn’t matter.

You need to do your best.

If you remember everything you have read here and then put it into practice, you are sure to have a very positive and productive fitness training experience.