As personal trainers, we see a lot of the same goals throughout our career. Most clients want to lose body fat or “weight”. Many want to tone or build lean muscle. Some are athletes. Some are body builders or power lifters. But every client has their own “story”.
I think our job, as fitness professionals, is to help the client find that story and make it happen.
When you ask me, “in your professional opinion, how does one get the best value for their personal training [cost]”, this is my opinion…
Do your research.
If you know what your goal is, research how others have met the same or similar goals. You don’t have to study kinesiology to find out how to reach your fitness goal. Research it. Read blogs of fitness professionals. Read fitness magazines such as Men’s/Women’s Health or Men’s/Women’s Fitness. They are full of great information from nutrition to sex. Then, when you know what you want, look for trainers using the practices you have researched.
When looking for a personal trainer, you should take some time to observe their behavior.
Go to the gym as often as you can and watch them work as you work out. Take into consideration how they interact with their clients.
Here are some observations I would make:
Are they paying close attention to the clients? Watch the trainer’s body language. Are they involved in the training or do they sit or stand and give verbal commands?
Do they have variation in the workouts? Are they doing the same workout with each client? Remember, clients are special and should be treated as such.
Are they putting clients through the same workout each day? In my opinion variety is key for an effective exercise program because it keeps the body guessing and the client interested. This is why I believe it’s important to be versatile as a trainer. Maybe one day you use free weights, another you are doing plyometrics, another is a bodyweight day. It will depend on your goals when and how these are done.
When you have chosen a trainer, you should take some time to get to know each other. This may be referred to as a consultation.
This is a time for you and the trainer to decide if and how they will help you reach your goals.
You should discuss your goals and why they are your goals. You should also discuss any medical issues, nutrition and your exercise history. And because you can’t reach your goal without knowing where you are starting you should also do a fitness assessment which includes a body fat analysis, strength test and postural assessment.
With this knowledge, your trainer can cater your workouts to your needs and abilities.
Last but not least remember that just because a trainer is busy or has a lot of clients this does not mean that they are the best trainer for you. Trainers are popular for different reasons. You need to find a personal trainer that is the right fit for you. And now you know how.
Good luck with reaching your fitness goals.
-Strive on with awareness-
