In our last post, we talked about why getting a personal trainer is important.
A personal trainer can accelerate your fitness goals and help you maintain (even improve) your fitness levels. We highly recommend working with one.
But how do you go about choosing a personal trainer?
What should you look for when you’re choosing a trainer?
What questions should you ask? In today’s post, we will go over 7 crucial questions you should ask a potential personal trainer before you start working with them.

Seven questions to ask your personal trainer before you work with them

Certification.

You are within your rights to ask if your personal trainer is certified. A personal trainer should hold a current certification from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. A personal trainer with these certifications has the knowledge and skills to help you engage in effective and safe work-out routines. So feel free to ask to see their certification. Here are a few websites where you can check on the credentials of your personal trainer.

The American Council on Exercise

National Strength and Conditioning Association

IDEA Health and Fitness Association

American College of Sports Medicine

Aerobic and Fitness Association of America

Your personal trainer should also have CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and First Aid certification.

Past clients.

While every trainer has to start from point zero, it is helpful if you can find out if your potential personal trainer has worked with other clients before. Are there testimonials the personal trainer can show you? Do they have phone numbers of people that you can call? All this is helpful in verifying the expertise of your trainer so you can get the results you want.

Professional references.

Apart from past clients, does your potential personal trainer have professional references? Some personal trainers may be independent contractors at a gym. If this is the case, then typically, it can be easy to speak to the gym about the personal trainer. If they don’t train from a gym or club environment, this is another question to ask as well.

Their area of specialization.

This is especially important if you have a specific health condition that requires special accommodations. This is important because not every personal trainer will have the experience to ensure you have an effective workout.

How much they charge.

You will be paying your personal trainer. It just makes sense that you would ask them about how much they charge to work with you. They may have set rates or they may work with your budget – which is why it is important to ask.
Schedule for working together.

Do your personal trainer have a schedule that fits your schedule?

Education.

A successful personal trainer doesn’t need to have a college degree. However, if they have a degree in an area like nutrition or exercise science, it can further enhance their expertise in designing a work out program that will work best for you.

Working a with a personal trainer can be one of the best investments of your life.  Asking these questions ensures that you get your money’s worth.