Finding the right trainer

I have often written about how important it is to seek advice from qualified and caring Personal Trainers (PT) and Fitness Instructors (FI).

These people can be the difference between safely and effectively achieving your health and fitness goals and just not getting off the couch in the first place.

From my experience, they beautifully compliment the hard work that doctors and physiotherapists do but, unlike docs and physios, can take the clinical aspect out and put the more human touch in.

In other words, they do a good job of keeping you motivated, positive and proud.

PTs and FIs can also be a valuable source of education and inspiration. It is fair to say that they must have a passion for fitness, and find great delight in helping people; otherwise they would have chosen a different career!

In my humble opinion, the really gifted and committed PTs and FIs are underpaid for how much they give of themselves to the science of fitness and to their clients.

But how do you know when you find a gifted and committed one?

There are a few questions you must ask the personal trainer or fitness instructor before you make the decision to have them train you.

What are your qualifications?

You need to ask this question because you need to know if they are legally allowed to train you.

You also need to probe them a little to find out if they know what they are doing, on a fundamental level, to protect your physical safety.

In developed countries and in high socio-economic sub-cultures, PTs and FIs may have a relevant university qualification to help them look more attractive to prospective clients.

However, in no country in the world is it a necessity. In countries like the UK, Australia, United States, Canada and Bahrain, PTs and FIs must have completed a specific training course and/or be registered with the governing body, such as Fitness NSW (Australia).

A PT or FI also must have an up-to-date first aid certificate. Ongoing training is essential, too, at least in many countries.

How long have you been in the fitness and health industry?

You need to ask this question because the longer they have been in the fitness industry, the more experience they will have (but also, ask them if they have had any time out of the industry too).

More experience means they are more likely to have worked with a broad range of people, resources, different gyms and health clubs, health issues and a variety of injuries. They will perhaps have worked in different countries and cultures and should know the difference between what is effective exercise and what is just a fitness fad - or what is just plain useless!

The age of the PT or FI, or how long they have been training themselves is NOT relevant. For example, if they reply that they are 40 years old, with 20 years experience body building and jogging along the beach but only two years in the fitness industry, you may want to consider keeping looking.

What is the procedure for a new client to sign up with you?

You need to ask this because the way they answer will reflect how professional and organised they are.

Every PT or FI will have different methods, and if they work under contract for a gym or health club, signing up will be administered by the management via your PT or FI, to you.

The procedure should include a thorough pre-exercise questionnaire and an unintimidating series of physical tests (perhaps weight, girth, blood pressure, flexibility, aerobic output).

Any PT or FI who forces you to do anything you do not want to do, leave.

Any PT or FI who cannot guarantee the privacy of any personal information you give out, leave.

If you inform them of a serious medical condition and they do not address it or seek a medical clearance for you, leave.

The procedure must also include some sort of written training programme that is easy to understand. A good PT or FI will also take their time with you when showing you around the gym or the exercise equipment.

Finally, they should tell you how much it will cost and whether payment is up front and what happens if you miss a booking or go overtime - then ask them for information regarding payment in writing.

Do I feel comfortable with this PT or FI?

You need to ask yourself this because you will be spending a lot of time (and some of it will be hard and horrible or slightly embarrassing!) with this person.

Don't be tempted to sign up with the hottest looking trainer with buns of steel! Certainly how they look will lend credibility to their qualifications and passion for the job but how you communicate and work together is much more important.

Do you have, or does the gym or health club have, public and personal indemnity insurance?

You need to ask this, finally, because if you sign up and go for it and you get injured due to the negligence of the PT, FI or gym, then you will need someone else to pay all the bills and look after you.

Perhaps, explain to the PT or FI that you are still thinking about signing and would feel more comfortable if you took any contracts and paperwork home so you can show your partner/family and take your time to read it all.

Good luck everyone! Don't forget to email me if you have any health-related questions.