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If you need a little extra help with anything in life, you call in the experts, right? Fitness is no different – with the best will in the world, we might want to get fit and healthy, move more, lose weight, gain strength, increase our flexibility (or all of the above), but if we’re struggling to do it on our own, it’s time to call on an expert. But just how are you going to choose the right personal trainer? We’ve got you covered – with a mini guide to finding the right personal trainer for you.
First and foremost, you need to be asking for help from a qualified personal trainer and all qualified personal trainers should be able to show you a certificate of their trade.
In addition to a fitness qualification, the majority of personal trainers in Australia are also required to keep up their education in order to be insured within the industry. This entails education courses of various types – for example, strength certifications, nutrition courses, pre and post-natal education, among other specialties. If you have a certain fitness goal or desired training style in mind, find out if your personal trainer is specialised in that field.
Find out how much experience a personal trainer has – you may feel more comfortable with a fitness veteran who has been teaching correct technique and eliciting client results for years. Likewise you may be keen to give the new kids on the block a chance, knowing they have freshly finished their studies, have gone through hours of hands on experience in the industry as part of their qualification and are eager to go above and beyond to help their first clients achieve their goals.
All good personal trainers should be able to adapt to the different personalities of their clients, but if you are looking for a particular type of motivator (for example, a cheerleader, subtle pointer, silent assassin or commander type) to help you on your fitness journey, chat to a trainer and find out a little more about their training style.
Availability, location and cost of a personal trainer are going to be big deciding factors on the professional you decide to go with, so do a bit of research. Look into the different costs of sessions in your city – some personal trainers may offer different prices for one-on-one sessions or semi-private small group sessions. Likewise, the location and convenience of getting to a PT right on your doorstep versus the logistics of seeing a PT near work in your lunch break could be a deciding factor on who you chose.
A recommendation in the fitness industry is usually a valuable one because the person making the recommendation has more than likely experienced good results and is therefore willing to spread the word and share their personal trainer with others who are looking for the same. Ask friends, family and colleagues for their recommendations. Alternatively, you can ask a personal trainer directly for any client testimonials or success stories to help you find a good match.
If you like the idea of working out with someone who has studied health and fitness in an academic setting, look for a personal trainer who hold degrees. If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can give a little more, find out if they are qualified to give nutritional advice, if they offer progress tracking and/or if they keep on top of fitness trends and related research.
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