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So you’ve decided to get some personalized coaching to help you navigate through the world of health and fitness. Maybe you have some goals you want to reach. Perhaps you don’t know where to start. Maybe your chiropractor or physiotherapist recommended you start strength training after rehabbing an injury. Proper training is more complicated than just “getting a good sweat on”, and maybe you’ve realized this.
Finding the right trainer may seem like a challenge itself, and it should be! You’re making an investment in yourself and you deserve the best. Some people are looking for someone to just tell them what to do. They want to huff, puff and sweat, and that’s ok, group ex classes are great for that. But if you’re looking for specific guidance, and personalized programming that is tailored specifically to you, then you have to go one step further. Remember, your body, as well as your work and personal schedules are different from others. For this reason, you can’t do group ex classes alone and hope to make specific progress.
So how does one go about finding a good personal trainer? if you are looking for someone who is more than a glorified rep counter and exercise tour guide, then keep reading. Below are things you should consider, while searching for the right PT for you.
Mind the P.E. and Qs
I made up this acronym to highlight some important things to look for when interviewing a personal trainer. The acronym stands for Personality, Education, and Qualifications. And make no mistake, you should ALWAYS interview a trainer before hiring them. So let me explain each of those letters and give you some ideas for interview questions.
Personality
Certain things should just jump out at you when do your initial interview/sit-down with a PT. Are they attentive and actively listening to you? I always start the first session by asking the person if they want to go first. If they want me to go first, great! I’ll set the tone and tell them about my education and qualifications, and what they can expect from working with me.
Furthermore, I encourage them to ask me any other questions that come to mind as we go on. And I ALWAYS have a notepad to write down the important details they give me. What their goals are and what they hope to get out of our sessions together. I also ask them about any contraindications, injuries, meds etc.
The training experience is about them, they are paying for my time. And if I decide to take them on then I make that clear. The client is always in the driver seat. I’m in the passenger seat with a map and a guide on how to get them where they want to go. So if you get the feeling that the PT is expecting you to be the passenger while they drive, get out. Because that sets the tone for disappointment and frustration later on.
Education
I may get some heat for this, but I’m sticking to my guns on this one. College education/diploma in Health and Fitness should be a staple. Of course there is more to it than degrees and letters after their name, we get out of it what we put into it. We are taking a certain degree of responsibility for people’s lives, their bodies, their mental and physical well-being. And we need to be prepared to handle that responsibility, and navigate through the challenges. Finally, it gives more weight to the profession, in the hopes that it one day becomes regulated.
There are so many valuable learning opportunities through this kind of formal education. We don’t just learn about anatomy and physiology, and memorize muscles and their functions. Specifically, we learn about the effects of exercise on anatomy and physiology, and how much is too much or too little. The teachers always have very valuable insight to share with those who take the time to ask. And not to mention the opportunity to build a solid network.
Many programs also offer internships, experience working in teams etc. And certain governing bodies, like the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists require you to have a minimum college education to gain their certification. An it’s definitely one way to ensure that your trainer is more than likely interested in continuing education. And continuing education means that they will strive to incorporate the best and latest quality information into your training experience.
Qualifications
Some may think that qualification and education should go together, and maybe to a certain extent. But that thought stops short for the following reason: I can have a formal education in Kinesiology, but not be qualified to teach a kettlebell class. As such, qualifications includes any health and fitness certifications a person has, over and above their formal education.
It goes without saying that there are tons of different certifications that make a person qualified to do one thing or another. There are specific certs for movement assessments, and exercise protocols (ex: Muscle Activation Technique, Functional Movement Screen). Spin class certs, kettlebell, yoga etc.
That said, more certifications doesn’t necessarily make a better PT. It’s important that their certifications line up with what they specialize in. There are many different areas in fitness, and it helps to be well rounded. However, if you are want to build strength and muscle, don’t go to a PT who specializes in aerobics/long distance/triathlons. These are all questions you can ask the PT in your initial interview.
Final Thought
If I had a dime for every time someone told me “I’ve never had a trainer, I don’t know where to start”, I’d have enough to open my own gym. Of course it would be closed and out of business because of Covid-19. But anyway, if that’s what you’re thinking, know that you’re not alone. And it’s important to know what to look for in a trainer, because the market is saturated and it’s easy to get lost.
Some PTs literally just want to fill their quotas, or have as many clients as possible because that means more $$. And not to take anything away from those PTs that work hard and provide excellent service to their clients. Some people are looking for something more specific. Some people just want someone to tell them what to do, while others want a more in depth experience. And speaking from personal experience, a bigger roster means that quality of experience will suffer.
I’m not saying it can’t be done, but as a general rule, the profession is taxing and everyone has their limits. Remember, you get what you pay for, but you also shouldn’t go into it blind. Ask a lot of questions, and if you need help you know how to reach me, so don’t be shy! I’m here to help!