How to Find the Best Personal Trainer
By Genevieve Cunningham
Finding a personal trainer to help you along your fitness journey can be a great idea. They’re knowledgeable, motivated, and inspiring. Of course, since all trainers are different, finding a personal trainer that strikes this inspiration within you can be a challenge. But don't give up! If you would like to use a trainer, take a look at these tips for finding the perfect match to keep you moving toward your goals.
Assess Their Fitness Level
You don’t want to be shallow, but you’re probably going to want a personal trainer who practices what they preach. If your trainer is severely overweight or shoveling down cheeseburgers during your session, you may want to look elsewhere. A personal trainer should be fit, or at the very least, working toward better health. They don’t have to look like a model, but they should have a desire to be healthy. This desire to be healthy will spill outward and give you the motivation to keep going. Similarly, a disregard for health will also spill outward, and that is not something that you need when better fitness is your goal.
Ask Questions
You’re going to be paying for the expertise of a personal trainer, so don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you deem necessary. What is their background? Where are they certified? What is their diet philosophy? What is their workout philosophy? What tactics do they use for motivation? If you ask these questions up front, you may be able to determine whether your methodologies match, which can save you both a lot of time and effort if they don’t.
Listen at Your First Meeting
When you’re asking questions at that first meeting, it’s important to really listen to their answer. A good personal trainer is going to ask about your specific goals, your specific health troubles, and any concerns that you have. If they dismiss your concerns or desires, they’re not worth your time. Don’t go into the session thinking that you know more than them … because you don’t. That’s why you’re there in the first place. But go into the session knowing that a good trainer wants you to be successful and as healthy as possible. If their remarks don’t allow you to feel this way about them, look somewhere else.
Hiring a personal trainer can be a great idea! A good trainer is worth their weight in gold. They can give you great tips, guide you toward healthy eating and effective exercise, and can keep you motivated when the going gets tough. But like anything else, not all trainers are created equal. Use these tips to make sure you and your trainer are a good match, and you’ll get the most good from the experience as possible.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in North Charleston, S.C.