Personal trainers turn out to be a healthy investment because it is monetary, time, and even health, but not every trainer is qualified in a way that can serve the personal needs of an individual since the kinds of personal coaching available in the fitness industry are just too many. Thus, by knowing what you really want and asking these questions ahead of thinking, you will be able to pick that one trainer who not only is certified but also understands your unique body form and its functional demands.
So here are 13 questions you need to ask your trainer before signing anything:
What are your certifications and insurance?
Proper trainers must hold globally recognized certification. This means your trainer probably has a school of thought behind his/her training in anatomy and exercise science. Also, by having liability insurance, this shows the way the trainer is seriously treating their business and you as well.
Have you trained clients with my goals before?
Marathon training is actually completely different from fat loss or muscle gain. Ask if he/she ever has taken clients with similar goals with you. If the answer is yes, he has a successful history of helping others in a similar situation; therefore, more likely, he has a working map for how he would help you.
How do you evaluate progress?
Fitness gatekeeping comes in lots of definitions, so a scale alone would not do it. Ask how the trainer measures her clients’ achievement. With a fitness assessment or the client’s body measurements? The best trainers should have a strong mechanism to showcase how far you have come!
Tell us about how you train.
Some trainers invariably turn out to be drill sergeant types, while others would be more educational or clinical in their approach. Ensure that such style spoofs are right to the taste of your functioning personality. If training-best “by tough love” would have suited you, consider giving another trainer otherwise.
How will you deal with my injuries or medical conditions?
If your trainer has a nasty “knee” or sore lower back, they should at least maintain their ability to tell you how an exercise will be modified or needs to be avoided to keep you safe. Find out from them clearly how this will be incorporated into your training program without putting greater stress on your existing pathology.
Does nutrition counseling fall within your services?
Exercise is just part of the whole equation. Not every trainer is supposed to have a full nutritional education, but almost every trainer should at least be able to give you basic advice regarding protein intake and eating healthy. Find out if your trainer would provide detailed meal planning or mostly offer general nutrition advice.
Take me through a regular training session.
What do I expect from my trainer during this hour? It is good to know the warm-up versus bar time ratio. Insight into technical complexity should now allow you to assess whether you are getting the desired amount of variety and intensity.
What is your cancellation policy?
Life happens. It is nice to know what the ground rules were before turning your money over. Almost all trainers will require that you cancel about twenty-four hours in advance for a session to be cancelled. That way you know what NOT to do to keep from making an extremely embarrassing situation down the line.
How many clients do you have at this moment?
It comes to measuring availability and energy. If a trainer is having 40 clients, though on the face of it it appears good, that trainer may burn out or might be just too distracted. On the other hand, if the trainer has no clients, that too would mean he/she is new. This is where you want someone who could give you full attention on the program.
Will you be giving assignments or workouts for off-days?
Training two days a week with your trainer still leaves five days empty. Will they have a plan to teach you how to work out alone?
When am I likely to see results?
Look for those weeks: “In two weeks, everything will change!” A trainer with a realistic timeline views your long-term health above everything and not the quick fix.
What is the complete price, and what is included in it?
Talking about prices openly will help settle a lot of issues. Do include access to the gym in the charges, or would that need additional payment? Did they offer some discount if sessions are purchased in bulk? Clear communication about money means a stress-free association.
