Getting fit is a personal journey. You may exercise with others, but the conditions are unique for every one of you. You have different health statuses, metabolism, endurance and even goals. If you can afford, hiring a personal trainer accords you the opportunity to have a tailor-made fitness plan.
With the increased focus on fitness and health, there are plenty of fitness trainers cropping up. Most of them are on social media offering tips on nutrition and fitness plans. Others hang around the gym, engage you in a conversation and offer their training services. How can you ensure that you land on the right one who will deliver results? Here are some tips.
1. Qualifications and Experience
Qualification is important, meaning that the trainer has gone to school and acquired a relevant certification, but it’s not a must. Most fitness trainers today are self-taught, who got into it to keep fit and it turned into a passion. Don’t be too keen on the papers. If the trainer is fit, it shows they do practice what they preach. Check their portfolio and see other people who have been trained before, and what the results have been.
2. Communication
Some trainers prefer the harsh approach. They shout and yell. Are they terrible people? Not necessarily. In fact, you’ll find such trainers in every field. Loud, tough, but produce results. If anything they’re in high demand. If that is your style, if you have the grit to endure, or are probably a bit stubborn and need someone to match your attitude, then this is the league for you. If you prefer softer communication, you can go for those who prefer a softer, motivational, cheerleading approach.
3. Specialization
If you just want to keep fit, a jack-of-all-trades kind of trainer will do. This one can come up with a fitness plan that involves a wide array of activities such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, aerobics and so on. If your goals are more specific, especially if you have to compete in a sport, then you must go for a trainer who specializes in that particular field. If you can get one who has competed before; even better. Someone who’ve walked the road before knows what to anticipate, and you can be sure you’re in good hands.
4. Availability
This has a lot to do with your choice of venue. Will you be meeting at the gym or in a private space? The gym can be intimidating for beginners; everyone seems so well toned and you feel like you’re struggling alone. Other than getting a different training space, you can also use the gym during off-peak hours. Will the trainer be available then? Will you be available? You should be able to synchronize your schedules, otherwise the training will be inconsistent. Also consider the distance each of you has to travel. It has to be reasonable, otherwise you’ll be spending more time on the road than on the actual training.
Such a personal trainer is well worth your money. You’re likely to make faster progress as the fitness plan puts into consideration factors such as your current form, medical conditions, injuries and your metabolism. You don’t have to go it alone; get an expert to guide you along.