Sunday, 3 March 2013

What To Look For In A Personal Trainer?


Many people think that personal training is just for the rich and famous, however this is most definitely not the case. I have number of clients of all ages, and all with different fitness goals, that they would like to achieve. The goals vary from weight loss, muscle gain, completing triathlons, marathons and bike rides such as IW Randonnee and London to Brighton and competing in wrestling.

With all these different goals in mind, when you start personal training with PB Fitness we will sit down and have an initial consultation and discuss your exercise goals, likes and dislikes and also give you a fitness assessment to see where we are at the start and where we need to get to reach your goal.

When choosing a Personal Trainer it is vital to get one that will give you the results that you require and provide you with excellent value for money. My top tips for choosing a Personal Trainer that is right for you are;

Firstly and most importantly make sure they are a qualified Personal Trainer on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) (you can check this out at www.exerciseregister.org), if you can’t find them on there ask them to provide you with their certificates, showing you their qualifications and insurance. At the end of the day you are putting your body and health in their hands.

Secondly, not only look at testimonials that previous clients have written, but try and see if they have experience in training people with similar goals to yourself. This is because a weight loss programme will be completely different to a programme that will help you complete your first marathon for example.

Many Personal Trainers will offer a Free Fitness Assessment. Tests will vary from trainer to trainer, but my Fitness Assessments include:
  • Blood Pressure.
  • Height and Weight.
  • Waist to Hip Ratio.
  • Body Composition (Body Fat %).
Then depending on your goals:
  • Cardiovascular tests.
  • Strength tests.
  • Flexibility tests.
Once you have completed your Fitness Assessment then don’t feel that you have to say yes to taking up Personal Training sessions with them. You need to make sure that they can relate to your needs as an individual trainee. People have diverse personalities and a trainer must be able to adapt to these inherent differences. They must be able to sense when to be forceful and when to be compassionate, when to push for that extra rep and when to pull back. While some people respond to a hard-driving, militaristic style of training, others need to be gently prodded and coaxed for maximum results.

What is the Personal Trainers own attitude to exercise? Okay just because they are physically fit themselves, doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best Personal Trainer. However, a personal trainer that has a passion for fitness will serve as a positive fitness role model, which is something that any fitness professional should take to heart. If they can’t push themselves how are they going to be able to motivate and encourage others?   

Finally their Personal Training fees. Don’t be fooled into thinking a low priced Personal Trainer is a bargain or that a high priced Personal Trainer has some magical formula for success. You need to take into consideration all of the above points.

There you go a systemic approach to choosing a Personal Trainer that will provide you with value for money and get the results you require. 

Many thanks for reading.

Pete

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