How to Choose the RIGHT Personal Trainer

Ever wonder what to look for when choosing a personal trainer? Choosing a good one who's right for you can make all the difference in the world. Choosing a bad one can actually slow down your fitness progress tremendously -- or even make you learn to hate exercise! Here's a good article that explains how to find the right personal trainer for your situation...

(IDEAfit.com) - How to Choose The Personal Trainer Who's Right For You

So you are thinking about hiring a personal trainer. That is terrific, because more people are working out with their very own exercise consultant than ever before. Personal trainers are not just for Hollywood stars and the "rich and famous" anymore! For good reason, since personal trainers can make the difference between a great workout and a ho-hum one — or even no workout at all. Your trainer will motivate you, keep you on track and make sure your workouts are safe, enjoyable and effective.

Of course, you want your personal trainer to exhibit the same qualities you demand of any provider of professional services, say, your tax preparer or dentist — a high degree of knowledge in their field, demonstrated expertise, plus a personality that's compatible with yours.

As The Health & Fitness Source, IDEA has provided information, education and training to personal trainers for more than 10 years.

A recent IDEA survey showed that trainers provide a wide variety of clients with an extensive list of services, including nutritional guidance, fitness assessment, lifestyle management advice, weight control programs and many more.

To help you find the personal trainer who's just right for you, we've developed this handy guide. It takes you through the steps of identifying potential candidates and provides specific questions to ask. We recommend that you interview at least three trainers carefully before making your decision.

How to Locate Personal Trainers in Your Area

Personal trainers can be found through a variety of sources. If you are a member of a health club, fitness center, YMCA/YWCA or JCC in your community, ask if they have a personal trainer on staff. Ask friends, health professionals, or your family doctor for referrals. Also, check your local yellow pages, newspapers and magazines for listings. To locate a personal trainer near you, click on IDEA's Personal Trainer Locator.

Determine Your Goals, Needs and Budget

Frequency — Are you merely looking for a one-time consultation about your exercise program, or do you want to establish a long-term working relationship? For a modest fee, many trainers will perform a fitness assessment and design a workout regimen tailored to your needs.

Location — Where do you want to work out? Many trainers will come to your home. Or, if you prefer, you can meet your trainer at a studio or health club nearby.

Budget — Personal training rates range from $20 to $100 per hour-long session, with the majority charging between $25 and $50. If that sounds high, remember, you are making an investment in your most important possession — your health. In addition, discounts are often available for multi-session purchases, for higher frequency (three times a week instead of two), and for training multiple clients at the same time.

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