There is nothing like having your very own personal trainer!
Where else do you get the opportunity to consistently meet with someone and every moment of every session its - all about you? Where the purpose of every session is help you not just to look better but also to feel better!
Picking the right trainer for you and your health needs requires some basic knowledge of the fitness field. Both the American College Of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) are national organizations that provide instructional resources and continuing educational requirements but stipulate that each candidate must possess a health degree before being applying for certification.
While others like the American Council On Exercise (ACE), National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC) or The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPF) are a lot less stringent for their certification requirements.
Education and experience are important aspects of trainer qualification and selection so ask and find out which credentials your prospective trainer holds however, I believe there are several factors beyond certification, which the informed consumer needs to be aware of to ensure customer satisfaction:
1.Does Your Trainer Have A Vision? – I believe every trainer should have a vision of what exercise can be for each of his or her clients. What is their mission statement? How much time and thought have they devoted to the “art of fitness instruction?” What do they see possible for you?
What you are really investing in is their vision of how they will be applying exercise to your life to improve its quality. The tools of exercise are the myriad forms of resistance and endurance training (I.e. Functional training, free weights, weight machines, balance boards, treadmills, stationary bike, versa climber etc…) along with stretching and relaxation techniques.
It is how your trainer utilizes these tools as part of his or her vision that is of interest here.
Interviewing Trainer Questions – “What is your vision of exercise and how will you apply it to my life?”
2.Is Your Trainer Capable Of Objective Observation? – A professional trainer views you, your body and your goals objectively. They are always considering your needs of the moment with the possibilities and potentials of exercise under the umbrella of your goals.
Training others is an art that requires the fitness professional to wear many hats. Things that need to be considered during a session are:
·How the client feels standing in front of the trainer?
·What has happened during the client’s day?
·How much stress is the client consistently under?
·What are their usual patterns of positive and negative daily health behaviors?
Interviewing Trainer Questions – “How do you assess me before each session?”
3.Can Your Trainer Adapt? – Whether you are in a crowded gym setting or a home gym environment your trainer must adapt your personalized exercise session to the particulars of your body, the moments needs and your long term goals. At any time he/she may need to vary weights, reps, sets, exercise, or movements based upon these ever-changing criteria. Client injuries, interruptions, distractions, mental meanderings and fatigue all play a role in each session. Does your prospective trainer have what it takes to manage you and the environment and keep you on track? After all, this is what you are paying for.
Interviewing Trainer Questions – “How will you deal with me and my program when things don’t go as you have planned?”
If you have decided to invest your time, energy and money into a health program make sure you are committing to someone who truly can deliver what you know you need as well as providing what you don’t know you need. A professional trainer is one who provides both.
About the Author
Mr. Sheldon Ginsberg President of FitPath Health Services holds a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science from State University of New York at Buffalo. In addition, he has obtained advanced certification as a Strength and Conditioning Coach from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and he is also a 12th level Reiki Master Teacher. To learn more you can visit www.thefitpath.com or call 786-276-6143.