If you have any health or fitness goals that you are wanting to achieve, you might want to consider hiring a personal trainer. These professionals are equipped with the skills and tools to help you reach the results you want, and keep you motivated. However, finding a fitness instructor is about more than just finding someone who knows how to work out. You’ll be developing a relationship with them, and trusting them with your health journey. You want to pick someone that you will enjoy working with, who also knows how to help you reach your goals. If you’re wondering how to hire a personal trainer it may seem overwhelming, but it can actually be a fun process. When you look at how to pick a good personal trainer you’re going to want to look at a few different aspects before making a final choice. 

‍

After all, the fitness industry is full of instructors who specialize in various niches and have different levels of experience. You will likely come across plenty of trainers who would be a great fit, but it will ultimately come down to who you want to work with. This will depend heavily on the results you hope to see, 

‍

The Results You Want

People seek out fitness instructors for multiple reasons, and the results you want can impact the trainer you end up choosing. There are various kinds of results you can work toward, including weight loss, preparing for an athletic event, getting stronger, or just getting in shape in general. Instructors can specialize in specific niches, so a trainer well-trained in strength training may not be the best option to help you prepare for a 5k. Understanding what results you want is the first part of picking a good personal trainer to fit your needs. 

‍

Weight Loss

If you want to lose a certain amount of weight then you will want to work with a personal trainer that specializes in weight loss. This is an important distinction to make, as some workout routines will work better for weight loss than others. An instructor with experience in this specialization will know what exercises to offer, whether you want to lose ten pounds or one hundred pounds. In addition, nutrition coaching is often a big part of weight loss journeys. When you hire a personal trainer that works in this specialization they will likely also have credentials related to health and nutrition. They can advise you on the best diets to fit with your workout regime. 

‍

Preparing For An Event

If you have a major athletic event coming up, such as a marathon or game, working with a personal fitness coach can be a good idea. They will work alongside you leading up to the event to make sure you’re completely prepared. Professional cyclists, golfers, runners, and swimmers have benefitted from hiring a good personal trainer. The kind of instructor you choose will depend on what kind of event you need to prepare for. No matter what it is, trainers will be able to walk you through proper warm-up routines, advise you on how to avoid injuries, and come up with a proper training schedule. Another good reason to hire a personal trainer to prepare for your athletic event is that they can hold you accountable. A good instructor will know how to motivate you to stay on schedule and keep you from slacking off. 

‍

Strength Training

Strength training will look vastly different from other kinds of fitness training. A fitness coach experienced in strength-building workouts can walk you through the basics, such as squats and deadlifts. They will make sure you are using the proper form, and work you up into more advanced exercises. By consistently working with them you will be able to reach your strength training goals. They can also provide support for your own home workouts, and walk you through doing the proper exercises on your own. A good personal trainer can advise you on lifting weights at home, including how many reps and sets you should be doing, and how often. Since reaching strength-based results requires consistency, being able to work out on your own as well as with a trainer is recommended. You will need to find an instructor who can motivate you to stick with this kind of schedule, and hold you accountable. 

‍

Getting in Shape

A common reason that someone might hire a personal trainer is to just get in shape in general. People new to the fitness world might not know the best place to start with training, but hiring a personal coach can be a good first step. They will be able to introduce you to basic exercises and walk you through the proper forms. You’ll also be able to work with them on a personal exercise schedule you can follow in your home. Many trainers are specialized in working with beginners just looking to get in shape and follow more basic routines. A good personal trainer will be able to introduce you to the basics of getting in shape, while also pushing you with more challenging workouts. 

‍

Choosing a Trainer For Your Results

The results you want to see within yourself will be the main factor when it comes to how to pick a good personal trainer. Your instructor should be willing to hear what you want and prioritize your goals. Some trainers may specialize in niches more suited to your needs. You want to make sure that you take your time hiring a trainer so you are able to find the best person for you. When choosing a good personal trainer there are a few things you should always make sure to do. 

‍

Check Credentials

One of the first things you should do when looking at potential personal trainers is to verify all of their credentials. They should be certified by a reputable association or institution, and they should have the proper insurance to keep you protected. Make sure any certificates they have are up to date, and that they have plenty of experience. You should be able to find all of this information easily through their website if they are a trustworthy personal trainer. It’s also a good idea to look at recent reviews from their clients. 

‍

Interview Them

Doing a basic interview when you first meet potential trainers is a great and easy way to get to know them better. You can learn about the kind of fitness culture they maintain and the values you have in common. Make sure you ask plenty of questions about their experience, how they plan to help you with your goals, and how much your sessions will cost. A good personal trainer will be willing to answer all of your questions and be upfront about what you can expect from them. An initial interview will also be a good indicator of their communication style and personality. It’s an easy way to see how well you will get along with potential trainers, and if you would enjoy spending multiple sessions with them. They should be confident in their ability to help you and show a genuine interest in working toward your goals.

‍

Have A First Session

Before you commit to hiring a personal trainer for an extended period of time, you can ask to book a first, trial session with them. It’s the quickest way to see how they will be as an instructor and get to experience the kind of regimes they will have for you. A first session will let you see if you’re going to get along with your instructor and if they are able to offer workouts that fit your goals. 

‍

Qualities Of A Good Personal Trainer

When you set out to hire a fitness coach you should make sure you are looking for instructors with the best qualities. There are a few things that any good personal trainer should be doing with current and potential clients. Picking a good personal trainer comes down to identifying these qualities. 

• They should ask about past injuries. They should also ask if you have experienced any previous issues with certain kinds of workouts. This information is necessary for them to design a proper fitness routine for you. 
• They should be asking about your nutrition and eating habits. Any good personal trainer should have a basic understanding of nutrition and be able to offer advice about your current diet. While some trainers will be nutritional specialists with additional certification, every personal trainer course covers the basics of healthy eating.
• They should be clear about what you can expect from them. Your personal trainer should also be transparent about the timeline it will take to achieve your results. Reaching your goals won’t be possible in just one month, and your trainer shouldn’t lead you to believe otherwise. While it could take several months to see the results you want, a good trainer will be clear about the timeline you can expect.
• They should be a good listener. One of the best qualities of a good personal trainer is the ability to be a good listener. They should be willing to hear about your story and your goals so they can better help you. Getting to know clients is how instructors create proper training schedules.

‍

Final Thoughts

Once you know how to hire a good personal trainer you can officially get started on your fitness journey. When you know what kind of results you want, and what kind of instructor can help you, there won’t be anything standing in your way. 

‍

--

‍

Want to up your Health & Fitness? Check out these articles:

• Improve your workouts with these 5 timing tips
• Stuck at home? Try 6 unique workouts to do from home

‍

About the Author:

‍

Cory McKane

Cory is a huge fan of fitness - and an even bigger fan of helping you with your fitness. He's started on his journey with WeStrive back in 2015 and has been building it ever since.