What Should You Look For in a Personal Trainer?
Finding a good personal trainer can be quite a challenge nowadays. There are so many trainers out there, so picking the best one is definitely a bit tricky. Don’t stress though, there are ways to find a good trainer without having to waste a lot of time figuring out which is the best.
To help you find the best personal trainer, we’ve gathered a collection of essential tips. Follow this handy guide and you’ll soon find a top personal trainer who can motivate you to stick to the bespoke fitness routine that the two of you create and who can ultimately help you achieve your goals!
Qualification
It’s essential to find someone who is qualified to train you. That’s why you need to check the previous experience of each trainer you consider. In the UK there are a set of certifications that a personal trainer can receive. Look for these so that you know you are hiring an industry qualified professional. It will pay off to spend time checking your personal trainer’s qualifications as this will assure you that they have the necessary skills to train you.
They should also be happy and willing to share their qualifications with you upon request. Sharing their qualifications easily is a sign that you are hiring a proper professional who gladly adheres to top industry standards.
Client References
Client references are highly important because they really show just how much value a personal trainer can bring to the table. A client reference can reassure you that a personal trainer’s particular training style is a good fit for what you are looking to get out of your training and also that they have a track record of delivering results to their paying customers. It is essential to find a personal trainer who meshes well with you – that way you can feel comfortable and confident about their fitness advice.
To find client references you can either ask the trainer in person about their references or visit their website. Most personal trainers will have a professional website that lists clients’ reviews, testimonials, or even feature before and after pictures. If you aren’t sure what their website is, simply ask. It’s important to gather all the information you need in order to make an informed decision before hiring.
They Practice What They Preach
A good trainer won’t just tell you what to do, they’ll work out on their own time too! Keep in mind though that they might not do all the workouts for your full training sessions. After all, the focus is on your fitness goals during this time, not theirs. They also may have other clients to see and can’t overexert themselves by working out for the duration of every personal training session.
Still, the best personal trainers will actively do what they encourage you and their other clients to do. They should be passionate about fitness and healthy living and happy to help you achieve your fitness goals too by leading by example.
They Push You to Improve and Aren’t Just a Paid Friend
When you get a good personal trainer, with a good online personal trainer course, you don’t expect them to be just a paid friend. You want him or her to be genuine and actively help you achieve your fitness goals, even when that takes pushing you past your supposed limits. If you find that you and your personal trainer are spending more time talking about life like friends and chit-chatting and catching up rather than working out, it should raise a red flag.
It’s important to be friendly with your personal trainer and get along with them but you should also be receiving fitness advice and motivation to workout. So make sure that during your training sessions you are both focused on your training more than friendly conversation. In fact, your trainer should know this already and you shouldn’t have to point it out.
They Can Advise You on Your Diet Too
Creating a completely healthy lifestyle isn’t just about working out. You’ll need to eat the right foods as well in order to achieve your goals. Nutrition is equally as important as fitness! Many experienced personal trainers can offer you guidance and advice on a meal plan as well. That way you can ensure that you are eating foods that will provide you with the nutrients you need to stay energized.
This is highly important as without proper nutrition you won’t have the energy you need to push yourself in workouts. So be sure to ask your personal trainer about whether they are able to provide guidance with meal plans as well. That way you can be confident the trainer you hire is highly experienced and can set you on the right path to reach your fitness goals.
They Deliver Results
It is important to do due diligence before hiring a personal trainer. However, that doesn’t mean that if things don’t work out, you are stuck with them together. When I hired a personal trainer near me, I found out first hand that the ultimate test of a personal trainer’s skills and expertise comes when you start working together. A month or two in, or after your initial sign up period has ended, it is time to evaluate how you’re faring against your original fitness goals.
Do you feel like you are pacing on target? Do you see a change in your fitness levels or endurance? Have you gotten closer to your weight loss target? However, before pointing fingers at your trainer, you have to be 100% confident that you did your absolute best to comply with their instructions. If so, perhaps switching things up a bit or having an honest conversation with your trainer about the next steps in your fitness journey and whether they are the right person to take you through that is not such a bad idea.
Summary
Now with these top tips, you’re all set to head out and hire a top-notch personal trainer for your workout routine. Keep these suggestions in mind too and you’ll soon find a personal trainer that has the qualifications, references, knowledge, and experience to help you create a well-rounded and balanced fitness routine.
