by Lindsey Trimmer

Created on: May 18, 2009   Last Updated: May 20, 2009

When looking for a personal trainer it is important to do your research beforehand. Hiring a trainer is expensive and you want to make sure that he or she is the right fit for you. There are three things to focus on when hiring a trainer: certification type, expertise, and personality.

First thing, make sure that they have a certification that is nationally accredited. There are a million different ways to get certified out there and if a trainer is not certified through a nationally accredited organization, it would probably not be a good idea to work with them. There are many ways to pass a certification test without even studying. You want to make sure that your trainer is well informed. Training with an inexperienced and uninformed trainer can lead to injury and or an ineffective workout program.

Take the time to speak with each trainer that you are interested in working with. When interviewing the trainers be sure to have a list of questions ready that are important for you to have answered. This will help you to narrow down trainers based on their answers and how they fit with what you are looking to accomplish. A few questions that may be good to ask would be, what is their training style, how many clients does he or she currently have, and what they feel is their expertise, or what sets them apart from other trainers. The answers to these questions should give you an idea of what kind of trainer they are and whether or not that appeals to you. A good trainer should ask you what your goals are. They should be following up with you after sessions and continually reassessing your goals.

Personality is a big factor when hiring a trainer. This is someone that you will be paying a lot of money for their services. You will be spending at least an hour each week with that person and you want to make sure that you pick someone that you will get a long with. In the fitness industry you have to be careful of egos. There are a lot of trainers out there that talk a lot of game and are unable to perform. Look for signs of genuineness and honesty. If they are only looking to take your money, you are not going to have a good experience. Find someone that you feel comfortable with and seems to be invested in you and your goals. A good sign is someone who asks you questions and wants to know if you are happy with their services. If you take the time to research and interview your options you will more than likely have a great experience.

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