My name is Cori Ritchie. I’m an exercise physiology geek turned fitness journalist and fitness editor. women’s health. When I’m not writing, editing, or researching fitness, I teach fitness to personal training and group fitness clients. In my new column, between setspulling back the curtain on the same advice, tips, and “aha!” The moments I share while my clients catch their breath. Explore strategic, science-backed nuggets that will help you move better, train smarter, and actually enjoy the process.
The best state of fitness is incredibly Personal. An exercise program should help you achieve your goals while overcoming your weaknesses. If you light a fire, others may never want to set foot in a gym again. Even perfect form isn’t perfect. It is constructed by factors such as bone length and joint mobility.
And indeed, the internet is full of “custom” programs designed by TikToks and ChatGPT that “Try Glute Burning Leg Day” at the unbeatable price of free. But with the right support, you can reach your goals faster and achieve more than you ever thought possible (and we’re not just talking about job security).
Still, finding the right trainer may take some trial and error. There are many high-quality professionals out there, each with a different skill set and teaching style. You’ll learn more and stay motivated longer if you surround yourself with people who match your energy.
That way, finding the right person for you can feel like a date. exciting? yes. Is it a little awkward? of course. However, if you ask the right questions, you can quickly find the ideal conditions. Here’s what you should ask:
5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Trainer
What specific qualifications or education do you have?
There are also (unfortunately) many trainers with very little formal training. they may be seems to be They are knowledgeable because they have spent years improving themselves. And while we certainly want trainers who practice what they preach, it takes more than personal experience to coach others safely and effectively.
I’ve seen it myself many times. When I was a gym owner, I used to hire certified trainers with great energy and killer skills. Then I saw clients asking technical questions and they looked like they had seen a ghost. There’s a real science behind exercise programming, biomechanics, and injury prevention that requires study to gain in-depth knowledge.
Some certifications are easier to obtain than others. Some allow open-book exams, while others allow you to take the exam on a weekend without any prerequisites. It may not be the level of training you want from someone responsible for your form and progress.
What to look for: Of course, not all good trainers have certifications, just as not all trainers with boring certifications are bad trainers, but this is a starting point. As a general rule, check your CPT (certified personal trainer) certification and where it came from. The most widely accepted certifications are from NSCA, ACE, or NASM. The NSCA-CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) trainer is a more advanced certification with more stringent requirements, so it can cost a little more.
Can you explain how you like to motivate people?
Please believe me. You never learn from people you don’t like. And never stick with a program you’re afraid of. If you grew up with a drill sergeant coach, you probably don’t want to be paired with a chatty bug trainer. If you’re looking for someone a little more generous (not a baby), you might want someone more in the middle. You need to give your trainer a sense of respect and atmosphere.
And believe me, trainers want the same thing. I can’t tell you how unpleasant it is to coach people who don’t like my coaching style. I pride myself on being adaptable, but I also know that I don’t deserve everyone’s attention, and that’s okay.
What to look for: I’ll scream that from the rooftops until I die. The best training plans are the ones you come back to again and again. You should really enjoy seeing your trainer every week (otherwise, your progress may be slow at best and your relationship with exercise may be damaged at worst).
Find someone with a style that suits you. Ask students if they would like to conduct the session like a sergeant, like a caring parent, or somewhere in between. If you feel like it, you can do a little research. You can find current or former clients and learn a little about their style. Or see if your trainer offers an introductory session to get an idea of how it works. The good news is that many good trainers are able to shape their methods based on how their clients learn most effectively. All you need to do is find someone who can adapt.
How much does it cost, and what exactly does that price entail?
It sounds obvious, but this is more than just budgeting. You don’t want personal training to cost an arm and a leg, but you also need to be careful about spending too little. why? Because it’s probably not personal.
In some cases, low-cost training means you’re using programs that reuse the same templates used by people with similar goals and experience. While some training principles definitely overlap, you want a plan that works for you, including your injuries, preferences, goals, schedule, schedule, and nutrition.
What to look for: The cost of a one-hour training session varies widely depending on your location and the experience of your trainer. An inexperienced trainer in a small town may cost as little as $50 per session, while a seasoned coach in a populous city may cost upwards of $150 per session.
You may also find trainers who sell their services based on the level of personalization. For example, my online customers pay based on how much accountability they prefer. If they want to check in multiple times a week, I’ll pay a little more than someone who only checks in once a month.
In any case, if the price feels a little too much Yes, evaluate if you get what you’re looking for. I don’t blame you if you’re comfortable getting a recycling program for less, as long as support is provided. Make sure you get what you pay for.
How do I plan to track my progress?
No matter what your goal is, you’ll want to hire a trainer to track your progress. The trainer’s main job is to monitor what’s working, what’s not working, and when to make adjustments.
There’s so much you can track: lift times, cardio pace, body composition and measurements, mobility, functionality, energy levels, injury rehabilitation milestones, and more. All are important, but some are more useful for some purposes than others.
What to look for: Find a trainer who will track your progress in more ways than just numbers. why? Because squat PR is only effective if you don’t break your knees, and body fat loss is only beneficial if you aren’t constantly tired, miserable, or overtraining.
ask the trainer how They plan to track progress. What metrics will they use? How often will they evaluate these metrics? How can I access these records as a client? If you can’t answer these questions, find someone who can.
How long do you think it will take to achieve your goal?
If someone promises to make you a weapon in the movement by next week, don’t hire them. We all want our goals to become a reality as soon as possible as a species, but progress anywhere in life takes time, consistency, and effort.
Be skeptical of marketing phrases like “Lose weight fast” or “Get the body of your dreams in a month.” While these goals may come true over time, meaningful and sustainable change will not happen that quickly, especially if nutrition is treated in a pragmatic way.
What to look for: The pace of progress depends on your training history. The right coach will be honest about that. For example, if you’ve never stepped foot in a gym before, you can gain muscle in 4-6 weeks (assuming you’re eating and recovering properly, of course!). However, if you have been lifting weights all your life, it may take several months before you gain the same amount of weight. After a few weeks at the gym, you’ll feel stronger and more confident, but the changes in your body happen relatively slowly.
Cori Ritchie of CSCS is Fitness Editor. women’s healthis also a certified strength and conditioning coach and group fitness instructor. She has reported on topics related to health, nutrition, mental health, fitness, sex, and relationships for several years. You can see more of her work here. men’s healthHealthCentral, Livestrong, Self, and more.
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