A GOOD TRAINER IS HARD TO FIND

I’ve been a trainer for a number of years. I train a number of clients of various fitness levels, whose fitness goals sharply contrast each other. Out of my fifteen years of training I’ve never been presumptuous in the attempt to train all my clients the same.
As a fitness professional, it is my duty to carefully assess all of my clients individually every four to eight weeks. The details of my clients physical goals, needs and limitations, are assessed in depth and serve as a critical component to how efficiently and rapidly my clients progress. I do this to establish the most effective course of action to assist my clients in the process of working towards helping them achieve their fitness goals, while in addition to enhancing the quality of their lives.
The fitness industry is saturated with health, fitness professionals and private trainers. What separates the good trainers from the bad trainers? What should one look for when seeking or considering the guidance of a fitness professional? The criteria are many, ranging in gender, experience, credentials, style of training, aesthetic appearance, physical ability or athletic history, and personality. All of which when you get down to it means very little when it comes to degree of experience, depth of knowledge and professionalism. Here are some very important key points that may help. Start with these questions and your well on your way to finding the best trainer for the job.

1. Is the gender of the trainer sought after important ?
2. Does sexual orientation matter?
3. Would you choose a trainer who does not appear to adhere to the advise of their own expertise?
4. Has the duration of the trainer’s experience been over 2 years? Usually the first year of a trainers experience is a transitional period in which confidence, working with a broad spectrum of clients and depth of knowledge is limited or still in the developmental stage.
5. Does the philosophy or personality of the trainer you seek accommodate or compliment your life style, physical activity or personality? Some trainers may be too extreme or aggressive in their approach.
6. Does the trainer have credentials or references they are willing to submit? The credentials of trainer are very important. If this documentation can not be presented, there may be justifiable cause to question the trainers level of experience.
7. Are the credentials and professional certificates of the trainer up to date? If not, this is a clearer sign that the trainer is unorganized or not fully invested in the nature or importance of their profession.
8. What times of day are best for you to train? Establishing a specific schedule and knowing the availability of the trainer will help to facilitate the process of establishing some specific days and times for training. Adhering to a regular fitness regime long term will assure the most success in a client’s fitness endeavors. What is the objective for having a trainer?
9. Does anyone you know have a trainer? Ask friends or neighbors. This will help to give you a clearer perspective on which type of trainer is best and more likely to pair you with a trainer who possesses all the qualities I have mentioned.
10. If it has conclusively been decided that having a trainer is for you and you are ready to make a commitment to the endeavor of achieving your fitness goals, you’re well on you way to finding the trainer right for you.

-WiL Turner
Copy Right June 13th, 2011