It can be daunting to think about having to select the right personal trainer for you. Often times, there are disconnects having nothing to do with certification level, knowledge, or expertise. So how to you know what to learn for when selecting the right personal trainer for you? Here are 5 things to consider when finding a personal trainer…
1 – Credentials & Experience
We’re going to lump these two aspects into one. There’s no question. You want someone who has been certified in the areas of physical fitness and personal training. In order to practice as a personal trainer, a professional must pass an exam through accredited organizations such as The American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Ensure your trainer has met certain standards of professionalism and competence from an accredited, established, and trustworthy organization. In additional, find out how many years of experience your trainer has. Just like anything, practice makes us so much better at what we seek to pursue. If you’re looking for bold and lasting results, find someone who has enough practice in the industry to get you to where you want to be.
2 – Reputation
Referrals are a powerful way to connect with a reliable source, whatever your goal may be. With personal training, it’s no different. Referrals are the best compliment a fitness professional can receive, but if you don’t know someone who has a personal trainer, the second best option are testimonials from other active clients. Seeing people achieving their goals is the next to best evidence that you will also reap those benefits should you decide to move forward.
3 – Progress
A personalized training program based on your goals and fitness level is wildly important. So too is having your progress tracked so that you know your hard work is paying off. Look for tracking methods when you meet with personal trainers to ensure they are recording benchmarks such as personal records (PRs,) weight loss, strength gains and other achievements. This will help you stay on track and ensure that your trainer is just as invested in your success as you are.

4 – Availability
When working with a trainer, consistency is key. That’s why it’s important to know the bandwidth of the professional services you seek. Do they have room in their schedule for you? Is it a challenge to ensure you don’t miss a week due to their unexpected overbooking or vacation? Are being squeezed into a floating schedule or can you rely on the same day and same time every week? Can you book your sessions far enough in advance and what does the cancellation policy look like? These are all questions you’ll want to ask when selecting a personal trainer. The more transparent they can be, the better informed you are to make your decision to invest.
5 – Personality & Specialty
These are definitely not the same thing, but we feel they are equally as important to get the best results possible. Let’s face it, you will reap the best results and experience the best possible sessions when paired with someone you enjoy seeing who also has the specialty to guide you effectively. When communication is key, personality and speciality work as a team. Your trainer must know what motivates you on a daily basis as well as what’s going on outside of the gym. If you’re not able to connect with your personal trainer, they will be ill-informed as to what your particular body and lifestyle require. Not only should they have expertise in your desired area, they should also be passionate about the nuances of what you’re seeking to achieve, and create an environment where it’s comfortable and safe to build a lasting relationship.

We hope these 5 thing helped clear up your search for finding the right personal trainer for you. If you have any questions feel free to send us a message or give us a call! We would also love the opportunity to meet with you during a free consultation to help you determine what fit would best help you achieve your goals.