 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A PERSONAL TRAINING PROFESSIONAL
Anyone can say he or she is a personal trainer but not everyone can perform the important functions of a trainer. With dozens of certifications available in the United States today, and with each certification organization having different standards and methods for testing a candidate’s knowledge, consumers can easily be confused. When selecting a personal trainer, IDEA recommends asking the following:
- What is your exercise and educational background? Are you certified by a nationally recognized organization?
- Are you a member of a professional association with a commitment to continuing education? Do you adhere to a code of ethics and professional standards? Fitness is a fast-
 moving field. Clients rely on their trainer for current information on fitness exercise and healthy lifestyle activities. Membership in a professional organization is one way to tell that a personal trainer is staying abreast of the latest information on a variety of important topics and is aware of a professional code of ethics and standards.
- Are you certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)? While emergencies during training are extremely rare, a trainer should know precisely what to do should one arise.
- Do you require a health screening or physician’s release? Many medical conditions or past injuries can affect a person’s participation in a training session and program parameters. A trainer needs to know relevant details of medical history, including any medications the client may be taking, before an effective workout. If a client is under a doctor’s care for certain conditions, a quality trainer will discuss any exercise concerns with the client’s physician.
- Can you provide references from other clients and industry professionals familiar with your knowledge and abilities? People hire a personal trainer for many reasons, including weight loss, sports conditioning, and injury or illness rehabilitation. It is important to hire someone who has the appropriate experience.
- Will you keep track of my workouts, chart my progress and update my medial history periodically? A trainer will help clients establish realistic short and long-term goals and assess your progress towards these goals. A trainer might chart areas such as weight, percentage of body fat, body measurements, cardiovascular improvements, strength and endurance. Updating medical history from time to time enables a trainer to adjust the client’s workouts as necessary to reflect your abilities.
- Do you provide clear-cut, policies on cancellations, billing, etc. Having all policies clearly stated in writing helps avoid any misunderstandings or confusion and protects consumers’ rights.
 Will you help me focus on reasonable goals, not unattainable results? No reputable trainer will promise that a client will lose 30 pounds in 30 days, for example. It is vital for a client’s health and motivation to set realistic, achievable goals. This prevents disillusionment and disappointment, raises the chances of success and is a proven technique to keep clients moving toward their goals.- Do you have a network of professionals such as physicians, dietitians, physical therapists and other fitness/health professionals? To provide the best possible service, a quality trainer will have established sources for specialized questions and referrals.
- What is your communication style? A quality trainer motivates clients through positive, not negative, reinforcement, and never makes clients feel incompetent or inadequate. A trainer should listen carefully to determine each client’s goals and needs, and explain why the program that has been designed is appropriate. The trainer should also ask for the client’s input on the program, and be prepared to put in writing the principles and reasoning behind exercise program decisions.
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