Finding a trainer can be a real chore. Some areas of the country they are VERY expensive. Also, unfortunately, flakes are ubiquitous in this industry, as they are with massage therapists and hair stylists. But on the off chance you find that rare gem who loves what he does, knows what he is talking about, isn't misguided or a self-absorbed self-proclaimed "guru", then snap him/her up! Find out as much as you can about them before going in to interview them. Trainers can get reputations for being great or for other things. Narrow it down to the top 5 trainers (by reputation) and set up appointments to speak with them. I would ask them a few questions to find out if they are right for you.
1. Is this your full-time job?
Many trainers are "part-time" trainers by evening, used car salesmen by day. Find someone who has made a career out of fitness. It shows that they are more committed to their chosen field. How many part time neuro-surgeons do you see out there?
2. What is your basic philosophy on fitness?
First of all, if the trainer can actually spell the word philosophy, they get extra points! Okay, that was mean. You want to see where they are coming from. Do they think you should avoid squatting because it makes your legs look too big? Run for the hills as fast as you can. If they base their philosophy on meeting the client where they are fitness-wise, and they tend to take a more "holistic" approach to fitness, they might be worth working with. Holistic can have negative connotations in my book... I'm thinking of some "guru" who also wants to be your spiritual guide--not THAT holistic, okay? Just someone who takes into account your HEALTH as well as your appearance. I personally tell clients that I am more interested in their health first. Putting looks first is putting the cart before the horse, as it were. You can take shortcuts for appearance, and they aren't always healthy, and never permanent. If you get healthy, you will feel good and you will look great as a side-effect.
3. What is your background/education?
It helps to know that your trainer is qualified. A piece of paper doesn't give them that by itself, but it certainly helps give them credibility if they have made that level of commitment. If they have spent 4 years in college or more in grad school then they are hopefully well prepared. Don't let this be the only criteria by which you select your trainer, because there are still trainers out there with impressive educational credentials that can't train their way out of a wet paper bag. This is just one of many important things that they should have if they are going to be your personal trainer. On top of that, what other background do they have? How long have they been at this? You want someone with experience preferably, but that doesn't mean you should rule out young new trainers all together. If they have a good education and they are trying to make a name for themselves, that may put them in your price range, and you may end up with a really great trainer.
4. Are you certified and with whom?
Don't even waste your time with them if they aren't serious enough about training to bother getting certified. Just like the education, the certification doesn't make the trainer, but if they don't have the inclination to at least get some kind of professional association, then they are worth even finishing the interview. If they are certified, check to see if it is a nationally recognized certification, like NSCA, ACE, ACSM, NFPT, AFAA, etc. An especially good certification is the CSCS, which you can only get from NSCA, but it can only be attained if you have a degree in a fitness related field. I personally have met some pretty impressive trainers with the CSCS, and it is considered the gold standard in the industry.
5. What is your style/approach to clients?
Find someone who listens (VERY important). If they spend more time telling you about how many pro bodybuilders they have trained, or dropping big names of celebrity clients, rather than gathering information about you to figure out how they can best help you achieve your goals, politely tell them that you are very impressed, and that you will call them when you make a decision. Also, generally avoid the trainers who use the whole military schtik. Some people need a drill-sergeant. MOST don't. If they are a retired green-beret and you are a working mom, you may not be too compatible with them. Most people would just like someone who is motivated and conscientious. You can push people and not accept excuses without being an overbearing ass. You will know pretty early in the interview if they will make your workout all about them, or all about you. Don't just settle for some soft-speaking trainer who is afraid to make you work either. You aren't going to reach your goals without EFFORT!
6. (This question is for yourself) Does your potential trainer LOOK like they practice what they preach?
Don't settle for some trainer who is sporting a substantial gut. This seems like a no-brainer, but somehow those trainers still manage to sucker people into training with them. They don't have to look like escapees from the cover of Mens Health or Shape, but they ought to have some nice muscle tone. It doesn't hurt anything if they are pleasant to look at though. They may possess the right information in their heads, but if they are too easy on themselves for their nutritional or exercise shortcomings, then they may roll over when you tell them you are tired instead of demanding those last 3-5 reps. The same can go the opposite direction. You don't want someone who is completely obsessed and narcissistic either. If your female trainer is 5'1", 102 pounds, and packing a DDD under a way-too-revealing sport bra, or your male trainer is 5'6" and 250 pounds of lean, corregated steel, overtanned, and shaved head to toe, you are better off without. People like that are so out of balance in their own lives that they just don't have any business trying to teach you how to get healthy.
Trust your instincts here. If they give you the heebie-jeebies you won't be comfortable with them long term. If they undress you with their eyes, want to read your palm, or name-drop the entire time, they are just freaks and should be taken out to the streets, beaten, and then dragged behind a high-speed gasoline truck spitting sparks out of the exhaust before they ruin what little good name we personal trainers have left. If they listen, respond with confidence that can only be gained with education and experience, and talk to you about REALISITIC expectations, then you are on the right track. Good luck!
1. Is this your full-time job?
Many trainers are "part-time" trainers by evening, used car salesmen by day. Find someone who has made a career out of fitness. It shows that they are more committed to their chosen field. How many part time neuro-surgeons do you see out there?
2. What is your basic philosophy on fitness?
First of all, if the trainer can actually spell the word philosophy, they get extra points! Okay, that was mean. You want to see where they are coming from. Do they think you should avoid squatting because it makes your legs look too big? Run for the hills as fast as you can. If they base their philosophy on meeting the client where they are fitness-wise, and they tend to take a more "holistic" approach to fitness, they might be worth working with. Holistic can have negative connotations in my book... I'm thinking of some "guru" who also wants to be your spiritual guide--not THAT holistic, okay? Just someone who takes into account your HEALTH as well as your appearance. I personally tell clients that I am more interested in their health first. Putting looks first is putting the cart before the horse, as it were. You can take shortcuts for appearance, and they aren't always healthy, and never permanent. If you get healthy, you will feel good and you will look great as a side-effect.
3. What is your background/education?
It helps to know that your trainer is qualified. A piece of paper doesn't give them that by itself, but it certainly helps give them credibility if they have made that level of commitment. If they have spent 4 years in college or more in grad school then they are hopefully well prepared. Don't let this be the only criteria by which you select your trainer, because there are still trainers out there with impressive educational credentials that can't train their way out of a wet paper bag. This is just one of many important things that they should have if they are going to be your personal trainer. On top of that, what other background do they have? How long have they been at this? You want someone with experience preferably, but that doesn't mean you should rule out young new trainers all together. If they have a good education and they are trying to make a name for themselves, that may put them in your price range, and you may end up with a really great trainer.
4. Are you certified and with whom?
Don't even waste your time with them if they aren't serious enough about training to bother getting certified. Just like the education, the certification doesn't make the trainer, but if they don't have the inclination to at least get some kind of professional association, then they are worth even finishing the interview. If they are certified, check to see if it is a nationally recognized certification, like NSCA, ACE, ACSM, NFPT, AFAA, etc. An especially good certification is the CSCS, which you can only get from NSCA, but it can only be attained if you have a degree in a fitness related field. I personally have met some pretty impressive trainers with the CSCS, and it is considered the gold standard in the industry.
5. What is your style/approach to clients?
Find someone who listens (VERY important). If they spend more time telling you about how many pro bodybuilders they have trained, or dropping big names of celebrity clients, rather than gathering information about you to figure out how they can best help you achieve your goals, politely tell them that you are very impressed, and that you will call them when you make a decision. Also, generally avoid the trainers who use the whole military schtik. Some people need a drill-sergeant. MOST don't. If they are a retired green-beret and you are a working mom, you may not be too compatible with them. Most people would just like someone who is motivated and conscientious. You can push people and not accept excuses without being an overbearing ass. You will know pretty early in the interview if they will make your workout all about them, or all about you. Don't just settle for some soft-speaking trainer who is afraid to make you work either. You aren't going to reach your goals without EFFORT!
6. (This question is for yourself) Does your potential trainer LOOK like they practice what they preach?
Don't settle for some trainer who is sporting a substantial gut. This seems like a no-brainer, but somehow those trainers still manage to sucker people into training with them. They don't have to look like escapees from the cover of Mens Health or Shape, but they ought to have some nice muscle tone. It doesn't hurt anything if they are pleasant to look at though. They may possess the right information in their heads, but if they are too easy on themselves for their nutritional or exercise shortcomings, then they may roll over when you tell them you are tired instead of demanding those last 3-5 reps. The same can go the opposite direction. You don't want someone who is completely obsessed and narcissistic either. If your female trainer is 5'1", 102 pounds, and packing a DDD under a way-too-revealing sport bra, or your male trainer is 5'6" and 250 pounds of lean, corregated steel, overtanned, and shaved head to toe, you are better off without. People like that are so out of balance in their own lives that they just don't have any business trying to teach you how to get healthy.
Trust your instincts here. If they give you the heebie-jeebies you won't be comfortable with them long term. If they undress you with their eyes, want to read your palm, or name-drop the entire time, they are just freaks and should be taken out to the streets, beaten, and then dragged behind a high-speed gasoline truck spitting sparks out of the exhaust before they ruin what little good name we personal trainers have left. If they listen, respond with confidence that can only be gained with education and experience, and talk to you about REALISITIC expectations, then you are on the right track. Good luck!