There are endless possibilities when it comes
to health and fitness. What gym will you
join? What trainer will you work
with? Will you take classes and book
training sessions or do you have the motivation to work out on your own?
The sad reality is that there are a lot of
“Certified Personal Trainers” out there that don’t have the education or skills
and experience to back it up. Anyone can
go online and pay to take a test and get certified. Would you trust a primary care physician that
only has a high school degree and a paper that says he’s a doctor? Why would you trust a personal trainer that
doesn’t have the education to understand your physical limitations and keep you
injury free?
Here are some things to look for when
choosing a trainer:
Education
Before booking a session with a personal
trainer, do your research. What college
did they attend? Is their degree in health & fitness or a science related field? What certifications does he or she have? Three of the best accredited certifications
are: National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Academy of
Sports Medicine (NASM), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Continuing Education
Ok, so your trainer has a degree. Ask what kind of continuing education they
received. Do they specialize in working
with any specific client base? All NSCA,
NASM, and ACSM certifications require continuing education to keep
certifications active. The industry is
always changing so it’s important for your trainer to keep up with the trends
and also to constantly review the material.
Adaptable
It is very important that your trainer has
the ability to work with a wide range of clients and can customize a workout
routine based on each individual’s goals and medical history. Even if a client is feeling sluggish or sore
or just having a really bad day, the trainer should be able to adapt and modify
the day’s workout to leave the client feeling accomplished and energized.
Variety
Nobody wants a trainer that will take you
through the same 10 exercises every single session. Everyone has different goals but it’s
important to keep progressing. Find a
trainer that is willing spice it up and keep challenging you.
Listener
Sometimes we joke that trainers make good
therapists. Your trainer should listen
to your problems and keep their own problems out of it. A personal training session should be all
about the client. Communication and
listening builds trust. You need to feel
safe and trust your trainer.
Motivator
Some people have the misconception that a
personal trainer will yell and scream at you but guess what, we are not all
Jillian Michaels! Not everyone responds
well to her type of training and direction.
Look for a trainer that will bring you up when you are down. Your trainer should radiate positivity and
provide inspiration and encouragement.
Corrector
What separates a good trainer from a great
trainer? The ability to correct form. Personal Trainers are masters of
movement. They should understand how the
body is supposed to (and not supposed to) move.
It is important that your trainer not only notices and pays attention to
how your body is moving but also steps in and is not afraid to correct you to
keep you safe and help prevent injuries.
Teacher
Like Vince Lombardi said, “They call it
coaching but it is teaching. You do not
just tell them… you show them the reasons.”
A good trainer will be a great teacher.
We want you to learn the WHAT and WHY.
What exercises should I be doing to reach my goals? Why am I doing these exercises? It’s not just about going through the motions
but understanding what each exercise is accomplishing and how to properly perform
the exercise so essentially you learn the knowledge and skills to succeed
without us.
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