One of the biggest fears of joining a gym is the intimidation factor that many people experience because they are concerned that other people will be staring at them while they work out. Most individuals that join a gym have no real idea of what they are doing when it comes to actually working out. They usually start with routines that worked for them 20 years ago or something that they read in a magazine or saw in a workout video. Many times this will be part of the downfall of their success at the gym because it will be ineffective or they will injure themselves in the process. This is where hiring a personal trainer at the gym can enter into the equation. This can be either the best or worst decision you could possibly make depending on how knowledgeable the trainer is.
Most people automatically assume that because a trainer works at the gym that they are a qualified and knowledgeable individual. The problem is that the personal trainer business is not unlike any other in which you have both good and bad trainers. The first thing out of most people’s mouth when they hire a personal trainer is that they want to be able to walk the next day following the workout. Another common concern especially from women is that they don’t want to look like a man after they complete the desired number of sessions. When hiring the person who will be in charge of your health and well-being you might want to ask for their certifications. Personal trainers are not required to take any state exam or be held accountable for any amount of training knowledge. As you can imagine this can be a huge problem when it comes to your success as a client.
Many facilities vary in their hiring process, however in many of the franchised gyms their trainers are not even certified. They are called things like Fitness Professionals or Wellness Coaches. These individuals usually do not possess a certification in training and are typically people who just like being in the fitness industry. Yet these same people are the ones guiding and helping you with your fitness and health needs. Would you go to a doctor that was not licensed or had no medical knowledge or background? It is a shame that many people who need help and guidance to achieve their goals are mislead by the gyms and by the so-called trainers themselves. It is a disturbing trend in the fitness industry to see this happen on a daily basis.
The main items you should look for when hiring a trainer are the following:
1. Make sure the person you hire has a reputable certification. ACSM, NSCA, ISSA, and ACE are among the leaders in the industry. Do you homework on the certification of the trainer before you sign on for several sessions.
2. Ask to see their testimonial book of clients that they previously worked with. They should have plenty of success stories written down somewhere to be able to market themselves.
3. Watch their interaction with other staff members and their other clients. If you see the trainer on the phone or talking to someone else during their workout, DO NOT HIRE THEM. If the trainer is working out at the same time you are, DO NOT HIRE THEM. It is highly unprofessional, that would be like going to the dentist and he starts cleaning his own teeth on YOUR time.
4. Last but not least, make sure your trainer looks like a trainer. I have come across many individuals who call themselves trainers yet are in no shape to help anyone else get into shape. The trainer should practice what they preach.
If you have further questions or need help with how to determine the right trainer for you, contact us at 610 334-4120.