Kerri Davis working with a client in his home gym. Having the trainer come to you at home is often more convenient than driving to the gym.
Personality – This may be the most important aspect of finding the right trainer. You will be spending a great deal of time with this person, so you want your personalities to mesh well, ensuring that you enjoy your training session and therefore stick to your program. Every trainer has their own style of training. Some people prefer more of a drill sergeant approach, while others may wish to have a trainer who is more encouraging in their style. It is always a good idea to meet your trainer in person for a free consultation before getting started on a program.
Experience – Would you want to be the first patient a surgeon ever works on? Well, exercise may not be as serious as open-heart surgery, but there is the risk of injury if proper form is not used. This is often learned through hands on practice and the best way to find out about your trainer’s experience is by asking for references.
Education – Make sure your trainer has been certified by a reputable company such as the ISSA, AFPA, ACE, NESTA etc. Also, every trainer should be CPR certified in case of emergency and cary liability insurance.
Reliability – A trainer who doesn’t show up for appointments or is always running late is probably going to cause much frustration instead of giving you results. Just remember to show the same respect for your trainer and always keep your appointments too!
Time – Beware the trainer who is overbooked. Personal training takes a lot of energy and some careful planning. If a trainer has taken on too many clients, they may not be giving each individual the time and attention they need to be most successful in their workout program.