How to Pick a Personal Trainer

I remember when signing up for college classes I would try to pick classes based on what my peers would tell me about a professor they had when they took that class.  Was he/she easy, hard, take class attendance - you know, the important stuff :)

In picking a personal trainer, you have much more leeway, but at the same time it's important to do your research to increase your chances of choosing the right trainer for your needs.  Below are some criteria for choosing a trainer.
1)   Good Connection - This is the one thing that is going to make your experience positive or negative.  A good, positive relationship with your trainer will foster your motivation and drive you to work hard and get the results you want.  Typically you should be offered a consultation in which you can meet with a trainer so you can have a candid conversation about your goals, opportunities for improvement, time constraints, etc.  This will also give the trainer an opportunity to explain their philosophy, specialties, and certifications.
During the conversation, ask yourself these questions:
- Can I see myself working with this person on a weekly basis?
- Was the 1st impression a good one?
- Does this trainer seem to have my best interests in mind?
- Are my goals aligned with what he/she offers?
- Do we have good dialogue?
- Did we have a positive connection, i.e. - did we 'click'?

2) Trust - In my opinion, this is the one of the most important criteria for choosing a trainer.  Can you trust your trainer to prescribe the best program to meet your needs based on your schedule and goals?  You will be able to establish this trust through talking with your potential trainer and through the initial training sessions.

3)  Referral/Testimonials - Ask your friends, relatives if they've used a personal trainer and if they'd recommend one.  Ideally your friends/relatives that have had a positive experience will share their good fortune with you.

4)  Shop Around - I would encourage you to interview a few trainers to find the one that fits your goals/needs the best.  While interviewing them, ask them for references, testimonials, why you should pick them.  After all, you are hiring them, so feel free to ask the questions that you need answered to make your decision.

5)  Certifications - A Personal Trainer needs to have a current certification - end of story

6)  Plan - Does your trainer have a specific plan for you, or does he/she just see you twice a week and give you random exercises that change every 4-6 weeks.  You want a trainer that tailors specific workouts to your needs/limitations and a plan to follow outside of your time together.  This is the way to get you results you want.

These are just some of the criteria you should consider when hiring a Personal Trainer.  Hiring a Trainer is an important decision in reaching your wellness/fitness goals so do your research and make a decision based on what is important to you.