Hiring a Personal Trainer

One of the best options for designing an exercise program is to get advice from a personal trainer. It's true that hiring a trainer can be expensive over a long period of time; a short-term consultation, however, can provide you with a lot of information and tailor-made suggestions for a modest cash outlay. Even a couple of sessions can clarify a lot of issues, ease your anxieties, and give you expert recommendations about the equipment you need and the procedures you should follow. Many personal trainers will help you become self-sufficient. In addition, a personal trainer can boost your motivation, help you spot problems before they develop, strengthen your confidence, and understand your body's signals. Following this initial consultation, you can proceed on your own or, ideally, check in with the trainer every few months to clarify issues over the long term.

To simplify the task of finding and consulting with a personal trainer, here are some questions to ask:

• Is the trainer certified? If so by whom? The best certifications are from the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) www.acsm.org/certification/FORMS/online_locator.asp, ACE (American Council on Exercise) www.acefitness.org/profreg/index.dfm, and NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) http://www.nsca-lift.org. (The ACE's certifications are "Personal Trainer" and "Clinical Exercise Specialist").
• What types of experience does the trainer have? Ask for references.
• Does the trainer have liability insurance? Ask to see the certificate of coverage. Also, consider asking to see a written copy of the trainer's business policies.
• Do you have special needs? If so, make sure the trainer knows how to handle them. (Does your trainer know the difference in how to train a sixty-year-old as compared to a twenty-five-year old?)
• What does the trainer charge? Payment can vary considerably (depending on the club or gym, the trainer's experience, and the nature of the consultation, such as whether the trainer comes to your home or not). Some trainers offer discounts for multiple sessions. (Caveat: Most packages have an expiration date).
• What is the trainer's fitness policy? What is his or her personality like? Is this someone you feel you can work with? If you aren't sure, pay for one session first. See if you feel that you can develop a rapport. Determine if the trainer can support your goals and needs.

p. 159-161 Structure House, Gerald Musante