by Isobel Clayton

Created on: January 11, 2008

Personal trainers are not cheap, but their individual attention should guarantee the results you want. It is therefore important to consider what you want out of your personal trainer and do not let yourself be pressured into hiring someone. Remember that essentially it is like an interview, and your proposed personal trainer should be looking to prove why they are the most suitable candidate for you.

1. How much?

Before you do anything else, set your budget first so that you do not waste your time meeting with anyone who is outside of your price range.

2. Credentials

What qualifications does s/he have? A scrupulous trainer will always be happy to provide the evidence of their training in the given field. Make sure you confirm that the candidate has had some first aid training; should you injure yourself you want to be sure that your trainer will be able to deal with this effectively until medical help arrives.

3. Insurance

Your trainer should be insured in case of any incident.

4. Experience

Academic qualifications are necessary, but practical experience is equally as important. A personal trainer should be able to talk about their experience, and should also be happy to offer up a couple of current or past clients who will give references if you want to call on them - do not be afraid to ask for this.

5. What is their goal for you?

Perhaps an odd question on the face of it, but realistically anyone in the market of tutoring, whether it be piano, French or personal training should essentially be in the business of training someone to a level at which they no longer need tuition. Your trainer should be aiming for a day when you no longer need their business!

6. What are their available slots?

Make sure they fit in with your timetable. If the only slot available is one that does not fir in with your work and family commitments then you will struggle to keep up the motivation you need to attend regularly and get the required results.

7. What are their policies?

For example, what notice do they require you to give for canceling a session without needing to pay for a session you are not going to have? 24 hours is reasonable, two weeks is not as it does not allow for illness.

8. Do you like them?

Do not underestimate the value of your gut feeling. If you do not get on with them at the first meeting, then there could be a personality clash that will make achieving your fitness goals very difficult.

9. Stay safe

Make sure you meet your personal trainer in a public place. Even if you decide on the personal trainer, make sure that your sessions will be in a known location and that people will know where you are and who you are with. Make sure someone goes with you and meets you afterward. It may be highly unlikely that anything untoward would happen, but it really is not worth the risk.

The above should ensure a happy relationship and result in you meeting your fitness goals.

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