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| Choosing a Personal Trainer --by Joan Price ©Joan Price. May not be reprinted without permission. Personal trainer: Do those words make you shudder with an image of a sweaty, sadistic, steroid-muscled monster (male or female) barking orders in your ear at dawn and forcing you to do pushups until your tears stain the rug? Let go of that outdated image! If you have shape-up or weight-loss goals, a personal trainer can help you make fitness gains more effectively and quickly than working out (or intending to work out!) on your own. "A good personal trainer is more than just a 'repetition counter,'" says Tony Rodriguez, MES CPFT, Head Coach at Wellcoaches.com (www.wellcoaches.com), providing online personal coaches to help clients reach their health and fitness goals. A trainer will set you up with a personalized exercise program based on realistic goals; teach you proper form, skills, and technique; track your progress; and tweak your program so you keep progressing. And rather than a strict task-master, a good personal trainer will be your personal cheerleader, motivating you to stick to your program, patiently moving you past personal roadblocks, and applauding your accomplishments. A trainer will cost you from $40 to $100 a session, depending on your location (big cities and resorts are higher) and your trainer's reputation, education, experience, and availability. Since you're investing your money, time, and self-esteem, it's crucial to choose the right one. Choosing the right trainer has two components: making sure the trainer is professional and knowledgeable, and then choosing the one who fits you personally. Credentials A professional trainer should have a four-year degree in a fitness-related field or be certified by a major certifying organization, such as American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Certification from a major organization insures that the trainer has been tested on knowledge of exercise science, health screening, instructional methodology, and injury prevention. These certifications also require continuing education and CPR training. There are plenty of other decent certifications, but there are also many with lower requirements, such as taking a weekend workshop or a brief correspondence course and taking an open-book exam. It isn't enough that a trainer is "certified"- find out which certification, and what it means. If the trainer has a certification that you don't recognize, ask what she or he had to do to get it, and look it up on the Web. Professionalism Your trainer should come across as a professional: organized, punctual, fit, and focused on your needs and goals. A trainer should have clear policies about billing and cancellations. You should get the clear message that she or he understands your challenges, and is prepared to help you. Get references-names and phone numbers of other clients of your gender, age bracket, and goals. Don't be shy about phoning and asking plenty of questions. You also want a trainer with experience. IDEA, The Health and Fitness Source, will launch the Personal Fitness Trainer Professional Recognition System, which organizes personal trainers into four experience levels at http://www.IDEAfit.com/PFTlocator.htm. Early in your discussion with potential trainers, ask how they would develop a personalized program for you. This is a trick question, because the right response is to ask you questions, rather than jump to an answer. Give high points to those who ask you about your health history, exercise history, goals, barriers, and preferences, or who ask you to fill out a questionnaire. Expertise A good personal trainer develops a personal program for you and teaches you skills to put into action between sessions, not just give you a great workout. If you have a medical condition or are recovering from an injury, look for a trainer with a medical specialization and experience with your situation. "It is difficult for the consumer to tell whether a trainer is qualified to deal with people with special medical concerns, post-orthopedic rehabilitation, pre-post natal, etc.," says Michael Youssouf, MA, IDEA's Personal Trainer of the Year 2000, Manager of Trainer Education at the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers, New York City, and owner of Youssouf Fitness Services. "Ask your trainer if he or she has one of these clinical exercise specialist certifications, such as the special certifications by organizations such as ACE, ACSM and North American Academy of Fitness Professional (NAAFP)." Your physician or physical therapist may be able to recommend a suitable trainer who has worked well with others with this condition. Even if you find the trainer on your own, get clearance and an exercise prescription (both suggestions and cautions) from your health provider. Trainers who specialize in medical conditions often work closely with health providers to design an effective, safe, consistent program. Once you've narrowed down your choices by investigating credentials, professionalism, and expertise, your work isn't done. Realize that you'll be sharing not only your sweat, but also your goals, barriers, limitations, body-image, habits, frustrations, and joys! You want a trainer who motivates but does not intimidate you, and who inspires confidence and trust. You'll need to interview potential matches to find the one you'll work with best. You can do an initial screening by phone, but plan to meet the "finalists." Even if you have to pay for each initial consultation, it will pay off by letting you settle on the person you'll trust and enjoy. Identify your best fit What kind of trainer will motivate you? If you get enough of a demanding boss at work, you may lean towards a trainer with a gentle approach and a quiet voice. If you need someone who won't let you weasel out of a workout, you may choose a trainer who stresses discipline. If you can't imagine baring your midriff during a workout, you may be uneasy with a trainer who shows off her belly-button piercing, even if her credentials are perfect. Youssouf recommends that you ask yourself these subjective questions:
Whether you choose a trainer of the same gender is a personal decision. Women often feel more comfortable with a woman trainer, says Rodriguez. "Women may find women trainers easier to relate to and less intimidating than a man, and feel less self-conscious and more relaxed." It can also work the other way, says Rodriguez. "Many women feel that a male trainer can push them to higher exercise levels and feel a sense of competition when being trained by a male. Many may also feel intimidated by a fit female trainer due to low self-esteem." What about getting a trainer who matches your age bracket? Again, that's a personal decision. "I don't think it's necessary to look for a trainer who matches your age," says Ken Baldwin, President of Premier Fitness, Inc., in San Diego, CA, and IDEA's 1999 Personal Trainer of the Year. Baldwin, who is 32, has clients ranging in age from 10 to 85. "Having a good understanding of the psychology of different age groups and meeting their needs is most important." Baldwin sums up the qualities of a good personal trainer this way: "a well educated, caring individual who has your needs of health, wellness and fitness as his or her top priority."
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