What to consider when choosing a personal trainer?
Personal trainers used to be confined to a celebrity’s entourage, but now they’re commonly used by many people and there’s a huge range of different types of trainers and training on offer. Not only are they sought by the young and fit, but older people are using them to overcome conditions like a falls injury. In fact, with heightened awareness of the childhood obesity trend there are now tailored personal trainers that deal exclusively with kids.
Having somebody drag you out of the house to exercise is a great motivator, but not everyone finds that a personal trainer suits them in the long term. So if you’re buddying up for physical activity, aside from the obvious fees and accreditation check, you might also like to consider:
Do your ages and stages match?
If you’re a young, fit female then it’s likely you’ll be only too pleased to have a buffed, twenty-something male trainer by your side, as you run through your local neighbourhood. And you may also share this desire if you’re a fit, 50-year-old female! However, finding a trainer that is in your own age bracket, means that you’re more likely to have common interests, which will help the conversation flow and your rapport grow. It’s also more likely that they have a better understanding of your particular health needs, body composition challenges and barriers to change.
Do they know your limitations (and their own)?
Personal trainers can have a range of qualifications and it’s important to find the right person for your needs. If you’re recovering from an injury or have a pre-existing illness like heart disease, you may benefit from the combined care of a personal trainer who is also an exercise physiologist. Or you might like to seek out an Accredited Practising Dietitian / fitness instructor for the added benefit of specialised weight loss or sports nutrition advice.
Is it enjoyable?
While some people respond best to the boot camp style approach, others prefer a more easy goes it style. If your trainer is patronising about your efforts or abilities or you start to dread the next session, then it may be time to consider another way. Working with the right trainer should allow you to achieve results a lot faster than you would on your own and it should be fun, motivating, rewarding and far from boring. If you find boredom creeping in or have a hunch that your trainer appears to roll out the same circuit of exercises for all their clients, then frankly, it’s simply not personal.
