How to Choose an In-Home Personal Trainer
Having an in-home personal trainer is a great way to stay in shape within the comfort of your own home. Some of the benefits you get with a personal trainer are:
- Attention
- Motivation
- Nutrition
- Techniques
- Privacy
- Variety
All of these benefits will contribute to a healthier new you, but sometimes it’s hard to find a trainer you are comfortable with. What should you look for when you decide to search for an in-home personal trainer?
Finding a Trainer: What to Look For
- Experience. What are they knowledgeable about? How long have they been in business? How many customers do they have? These are just some of the questions to ask when finding out about a trainers experience.
- Certifications. Is your trainer certified by a nationally recognized organization? Some organizations that offer personal trainer certifications are:
- AFAA
- ACE
- NASM
- NCSF
- NFPT
- NSCA
Trainers do not need to be certified in all organizations. Find out what your trainer is certified in and see whether or not the certifications are essential to the fitness results you are looking for.
- Training. Find out if your in-home personal trainer is trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, otherwise known as CPR.
- Insurance. Ask whether or not the personal training company has liability insurance in case of injury or health problems.
- References. Can your trainer provide references from past or current clients?
- Nutrition. Not all in-home trainers specialize in nutrition. If you want both physical training and nutrition guidance, find out about their nutrition credentials.
- Likeability. In order for you to truly reap the benefits of exercise, you must feel comfortable with your trainer and have confidence that they are capable of helping you reach your fitness goals.
When to Be Cautious
Sometimes a personal trainer may appear credible on the surface, but how can you tell when he or she truly isn’t?
- Pill pushers. Unless you use your trainer for nutrition needs, they should only be working on your physical training. Supplements are better obtained from your local health food or retail store.
- Inflated ego. A good personal trainer will be open-minded to suggestions. You do want your trainer to be confident, but you don’t want them to make you feel that their way is the only way to achieve results.
- No credentials. If your trainer is hesitant in showing you his or her credentials, you may want to rethink the situation and find someone else.
- No insurance. Liability insurance is very important! If for some reason you become ill or injured, you want coverage.
- Uneducated. A good trainer is an educated trainer. In this business, many changes occur regarding techniques and nutrition. See if the trainer keeps with the trends.
- Unreliable. If your trainer is always late to your appointments or hard to reach, then you may want to consider switching trainers. You need someone that you can depend on for any questions and needs you may have.
Once you separate the good trainers from the bad, narrow down your search until you find the personal trainer that’s right for you. Remember not to rush through your initial search—taking your time will help you find the perfect trainer. You want your body to be in good hands so doing an in-depth background check will only bring you peace of mind and great results. Don’t wait any longer—start your search today and get back to better health.
Complete Article List:
Check out what some of our Clients have to say ABOUT OUR personal trainers:
"My trainer is great. It's obvious she knows what she's doing. She's always on time and very well prepared. She's a dream trainer. She knows how to
push me but is great about praising me when I make strides."
JillPersonal Trainer Client
"My trainer is a very lovely girl and my workouts are great!!! I have lost a whole size after 17 sessions that certainly makes me very happy. She's doing a fine job."
PatPersonal Trainer Client
"My trainer is systematically and good-humoredly kicking my formerly lazy butt at least twice a week, depending on my schedule. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the work I do with her has
allowed me to keep working (I'm a nurse) without injury. Hooray"
Meg Personal Trainer Client
Read what our personal training clients have to say.
"My trainer is always here on time, willing to be flexible when needed around conflicts, and ready to go with the program. She has the right mix of
what I think of as parenting skills that someone in her position needs - disciplinarian and encourager."
RubyPersonal Trainer Client
"The outside accountability of knowing the doorbell
is going to ring at 6 a.m. - no matter HOW exhausted I am - is exactly
what I need."
VictoriaPersonal Trainer Client