The number of personal trainers has grown rapidly over the last decade not just in the United States but worldwide.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of personal trainers is expected to increase by another 46% by 2012.  Over this time, the fitness industry has changed tremendously and with it a few growing concerns.  Among these is the lack of any structure or organization.  Unlike other professions that have instituted licensing requirements, the personal training industry is pretty much left to govern itself.  As a consumer you may have many questions when searching for a trainer but knowing what qualities to look for can provide a great starting base.  As it is the Personal Trainer Review (PTR) team mission is to help increase the professionalism of this industry so here are our two-cents on what you, the consumer, should look for when shopping for a personal trainer.

Certification, education or experience: This can be a thorny issue as to which is more important or combination thereof.  There are many national and local certifying bodies found throughout the United States and worldwide that provide personal trainer certifications.  This industry has sprung up as a consequence of the lack of any standardization as to what determines a trainer’s qualifications.  Unavoidably within this group, the inevitable “fly by night” companies sprout up that issue questionable certifications at best. Alongside certified trainers, there exist trainers who do not have any certification but with over a decade of experience having coached hundreds to thousands of people.  One needs to ask whether the certification from a “questionable” organization elevates the trainer holding this certification to a higher standard versus the more experienced but uncertified trainer? To complicate matters further, where would one place a recently graduated but inexperienced Exercise Science student in comparison to the experienced uncertified trainer? As you can see, there are quite a few factors to consider.   Currently in the United States, the fitness industry has matured much over the last decade to the point that obtaining a personal training certification has become the unofficial entry into this industry.  As a result, the vast majority of trainers have sought out certifications of one type or another, including many veterans of the industry and recent exercise science college graduates, however not all trainers have become so enlightened.  Personally the PTR team believes having a certification is a must and would strongly advocate that all trainers obtain one regardless of your experience if for the very least to help standardize the industry.  As a consumer, it’s important to find out how many years experience a trainer has if the trainer is uncertified and if this is enough to compensate for any hesitation you may have.  Ask for referrals, speak to his/her present clients and come to PTR to read any reviews or scores that may have been submitted.  There a number of certifying organizations that are accredited and meet the standards of the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies).  These organizations include:

• ACE – American College of Exercise
• ACSM – American College of Sports Medicine
• NASM – National Association of Sports Medicine
• NSCA – National Sports and Conditioning Association
• NCSF – National Council on Strength and Fitness
• NESTA – The National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association
• NFPT – National Federation of Professional Trainers
• IFPA -  International Fitness Professionals Association

There are other very reputable organizations that offer certifications but are not members of NCCA yet but are widely respected in the industry including but not limited to:

• Chek Institute Certification
• Poliquin International Certification Program
• Resistance Training Specialist
• Cooper Institute

This list is by no mean exclusive so please feel free to click on the Resources tab to get more information on the different certifying bodies out there to help you make your decision.  Overall, the vast majority of trainers today have one certification or another and possessing any certification from any one of the above mentioned organizations is a great start. Read and decide for yourself what makes you comfortable.  After all, you are entrusting your body to someone else so wouldn’t it make sense to be as informed as possible.

CPR and first aid: Regardless of a trainer’s certification, education or experience, all personal trainers should possess a current CPR certification.  Cardiopulmonary emergencies are a relatively rare occurrence during training as a medical clearance should be the first thing obtained before training regardless.  However in the rare event that an emergency does happen, a personal trainer should be prepared to know what to do.  Make sure that a trainer’s CPR certification is current and up to date.  In the unlikely event that an insurance claim has to be filed due to an injury by a trainer who is insured, some insurance companies may void the insurance contract if the CPR certification is not up to date.

Liability Insurance: Most independent trainers carry their own liability insurance.  Seeking out a trainer with current liability insurance is smart practice if for the very least the peace of mind that it provides.   Not all trainers carry personal liability insurance nor even need to.  Many commercial chain gyms nationwide and worldwide carry a blanket policy that encompasses all trainers on staff.  If you’re unsure just ask the trainer.
 

Provide references: People hire trainers for a multitude of reasons ranging from weight loss assistance to coaching for an upcoming event such as a marathon.  Each type of specialization requires its own specific information that is in addition to the general base knowledge that a trainer possesses.  Just because a trainer helped your friend Sally lose weight, this may not necessarily mean that the trainer can or can’t help you train for a triathlon.   If you have any hesitation, just ask the trainer for referrals from clients who may have had similar goals.  In addition there are certain character traits such as punctuality, knowledge and responsibility that ensure a professional experience and cannot be fully deduced from the initial meeting.  Asking for references can help you make the right choice in choosing your personal trainer. Above all else, check with the trainer’s profile on PTR to see their rating and reviews to see what others say about them.

Knowledge: The fitness industry is very much like a living breathing animal that is constantly changing and evolving.  Each decade records are broken as humans run faster, jump higher and go farther.  Top coaches and exercise physiologists from around the world draw on the latest research and combined with their collective experience are able to produce better athletes.  Much of this information filters down to the personal trainer if they are well informed.  As a consequence, the information is used to revise or create better exercise regimens and/or enhance exercise technique.  The fitness industry has for example held as gospel truth many exercises that are later called into question as new research uncovers hidden dangers. Your trainer should remain well informed in order to discontinue any practice that actually may do more harm than good.  Your trainer should try to stay reasonably abreast of new research to be able to help you with any fitness questions you may have as well as provide sound advice that is rooted in science and common sense.   At the same token, the trainer should know the limitations of what they can advise on.  Personal trainers are not in a position to diagnose a medical condition regardless of the amount of knowledge a trainer may have.  Instead you as the client should be advised to seek out medical assistance for a proper clinical evaluation.  It is also highly inappropriate for a trainer to consult on your diet outside of general information.  Many diseases such as diabetes and Renal Disease have metabolic implications on a diet that a personal trainer may not have the appropriate academic background to consult with you on.  Likewise during a training session, a client may reveal major psychological issues that require the assistance of a psychologist, psychiatrist or trained therapist. In such cases, a trainer should refrain from converting the workout session into an hour of psychoanalyzing.  Your trainer’s rating and reviews on PTR can provide a good initial assessment to make your choice.

Trainer does not jump on every fad that rolls by:– Sometimes a trainer, despite good intentions, may jump on every fad or fitness trend that comes by. Often a new fad is just that – a fad.  You experience the novelty of the new movements as well as the consequential soreness that accompanies any movement that your body is not used to.  You continue until eventually the novelty wears down and your body adapts resulting in diminishing returns.  Frustration and boredom set in and then it’s on to the next trend coming down the pipe.  This approach however lacks any objective or structure and more often than not, causes needless injuries.  A good trainer will understand this and prescribe exercises and routines irrelevant of what’s on the front cover of the latest fitness magazine. This is not to say that some trends or fads may or may not have their place in a training program for a myriad of reasons or simply to just spark things up and alleviate boredom.  A good trainer will be able to intelligently incorporate what is useful into your overall fitness routine.  However perpetually jumping on every band wagon is indicative of little care taken on the part of the trainer to ensure that your personal goals are being met.  After all, it is highly unlikely that every new trend will be specific to meeting your needs or goals.

Observes your movements closely:  The training session is a paid session focusing on you – the client.  It’s important for the trainer to watch for proper form and movement, make corrections and observe for any physiological signs of overexertion that may arise during the workout.  In most fitness environments there is quite often a large amount of activity going on so it’s equally important for the trainer to keep a watchful eye on any dangers and maintain a safe environment.  It is extremely unprofessional for a trainer to be busy on the phone or speaking to someone else during your session especially if you are in the middle of performing a movement.  It may be understandable during your rest period if you are okay with it but avoid making it a routine thing. 

Understands evaluation combined with periodic follow-ups:  As a client you come to a personal trainer with your set of short and long term goals to accomplish.  However you also come with a host of biomechanical issues unbeknownst to you such as shortened hip flexors , tight iliotibial band or improper recruitment of hip extensor muscles.  The faulty movements that result as a consequence may influence the type of workout routines and accompanying exercises that are prescribed.  A good trainer will perform an evaluation to uncover many of these limitations that should be addressed in conjunction with your goals. In addition, an evaluation will help establish a proper anthropometric baseline which is simply your height, weight and fat composition among other things.  As your fitness improves, it becomes a simple task of re-evaluating to see your progress and point out any lagging areas.  How often a trainer evaluates you is very much a personal thing and quite often many trainers do not perform an official evaluation but rather remain vigilant observing your movement patterns at every session which substitutes as an evaluation which is on-going.  Each trainer approaches this in a different manner so if you’re curious about your progress then just ask.

Compatibility: Let’s face it, you won’t get along or like every person on the street that you meet.  Some people may just rub you the wrong way for whatever reason and even that same person can be likeable in the evening and a total curmudgeon in the morning.  With this in mind, you are establishing a relationship with your personal trainer where for the duration of the session, you are handing your body over to someone else.  This act requires a certain amount of faith and trust so you want a trainer that can fit your personality style to put you at ease.  A good trainer can adjust to meet your personality but this is within a reasonable amount.  In the end, the trainer may possess personality traits that you may not be able to tolerate on a weekly basis.  Some people respond well to a no-nonsense boot camp type of approach and need this.  Other people respond better to a more laid back training style.  Some questions to ask yourself for compatibility are:

• How professional does the trainer appear to be?
• Does the trainer appear organized as this will often be a reflection in how they train  you?
• Do they have a sense of humor?   
•  Do they motivate you and have a positive attitude?
• Can they admit when they’ve made a mistake?
• The easiest way to get an idea of your compatibility with a trainer is by checking their profile on PTR to get an idea of their training style and personality.
• Is the trainer’s business policy on cancellations, billing and any other ethical matters written down – A personal trainer is a professional and should be expected to abide by the same values and conduct expected of any other health professional.  When you hire a trainer, all costs should be presented up front.  These costs include their session rate, costs for any equipment or other merchandise that may be required as part of the training program.  You don’t want to get hit later on with unforeseen fees that were never presented at the beginning as this creates mistrust which will spill over into your training sessions. 

From the PTR team, we hope your fitness journey is marked with success.  Feel free to email us if you have a questions at support@personaltrainerreview.com.