Finding the right Personal Trainer

If you’re like me, I seek referrals from family and friends when it comes to hiring a contractor. A good one seems to be very hard to find. When you do find one, they are booked for months. Now, you probably will find one that may do an average job. You may have a similar experience finding a good personal trainer. You may end up paying premium fees for their services and yet not be able to get good results and leaving you in the path to nowhere. Rest assured. However, there are many personal trainers out there whose primary objective is to help clients achieve their fitness goals. What then are the qualities that makes a good trainer? I like to present to you 4 steps in finding a good trainer.

It is highly evident that the fitness industry is saturated. Then we find many fitness influencers flooding social media and distilling exercise and nutritional advice. While some are definitely qualified, most are not. First step then is to identify a qualified Personal Trainer who holds accreditation from nationally recognized certification from NASM, ACE or ISSA. The certification proves that the trainer went through the rigors of understanding the physiology of the human body and exercise movements.

Second step requires trainers to conduct physiological assessments such as Resting Heart Rate (RHR), Blood pressure, BMI (Body mass index) and waist to hip ratio. Regardless of where you may be in your fitness journey, it is important for trainers to assess trainee’s current health. The baseline numbers like these help trainers to understand client’s current health. Additionally, pre-participation screening allows trainers to understand the health history and habits such as exercise history, eating behaviors, and general lifestyle.¹

Third step requires trainers to understand client’s posture and body movements associated with common daily activities such as squatting, pushing and pulling. Trainers should demonstrate the exercise movements prior to clients performing these exercises. Observing the clients during these movements provides necessary clues on what muscles need to be strengthened or stretched and tailor the training.

The information gathered during physiological assessments, posture assessments, health and activity history are critical steps. If a trainer does not take these necessary steps, there is an increased chance of prescribing wrong exercises that could potentially lead to long term injuries. Similar to a good doctor diagnosing the illness and prescribing suitable treatment regimens, trainers have to perform a thorough assessment prior to prescribing the appropriate exercises.

A trainer is merely a guide in a trainee’s journey and destination. A good trainer understands that the destination may be long and windy. While tempted to make a quick buck, he/she avoids any shortcuts. A good trainer is fully vested in your journey for better health.