‘Personal trainer’ has been one of the fastest-growing occupations in North America. In a span of ten years, the number of trainers has grown exponentially by an astounding 44%, to well over 230,000, and it continues to grow.
With the latest statistics on obesity, combined with sedentary lifestyles, there is a larger percentage of our population not only seeking health-related information but also a desire to employ a constructive fitness regimen. But what exactly does a person look for when entertaining the thought of hiring a personal trainer as part of their fitness endeavours? When you are typically spending $60 or more per hour, you will want to make sure that your hard earned money is spent wisely. After all, this should be considered as an investment into your future.
There are about 400 personal training certifications available throughout Canada and the U.S., so it’s easy to see why it may be difficult to find the right one. Even though certification may lend itself to notoriety, it is APPLIED education that is vital to any level of success. There are many variables to consider before attempting to integrate a trainer into your personal aspirations and goals. The trainer should possess a vast knowledge base of dietary requirements as well as a substantial sports specific and diverse understanding of the necessities involved in a sought-after sport.
If your goal is to lose weight and tone, are you given well-described, achievable phases of realistic goals and results? Something like an attainable weekly progression chart including initial references to measurements, weight, body fat percentage and a fitness assessment would be a great measurement tool.
An initial consultation is of utmost importance as this denotes compatibility between client and trainer. As the potential client embarks on a new fitness journey, the trainer should display a vested interest in his/her specific goals and aspirations. Each client exhibits unique requirements; this requires a training and dietary regimen reflective of his/her needs.
Here are just a few attributes to consider when researching a personal trainer:
- Are you given an informative response when extracting information regarding specific exercises and dietary concerns?
- Does he/she readily part with a vast knowledge base of anatomical education?
- He/she should be able to explain the essential aspect of muscle integration and detail the primary as well as secondary muscle interactions?
- Can the trainer explain the importance of proper breathing techniques, oxygenation, mind to muscle connectivity and visualization?
- Can the trainer explain muscle loading as opposed to joint loading through precise form and tempo?
- Does he/she exhibit a desired and sought-after physique?
Not only should a trainer portray the above mentioned qualities but empathy and compassion should be integral for a client’s personal progression. Heartfelt interest in client success should be the primary importance. The success of the client is also the success of the trainer!
There are about 400 personal training certifications available throughout Canada and the U.S., so it’s easy to see why it may be difficult to find the right one.”
One of the all-time greatest trainers and fitness icons within the industry, 5x Masters Mr. Olympia, Vince Taylor said in a discussion regarding trainers: ‘What I deem necessary to those looking for a personal trainer is personality and communication skills. Beyond the physical work and the personal training is knowledge (which no one has a testing level to assure), they need to know the business….it’s all about trust.’
The term ‘personal trainer’ requires an adaptable knowledge base, compassion, diversity, and passion….these qualities puts the ‘personal’ back into trainer.
