You’re a long-time health enthusiast. You eat well, regularly exercise, follow all the big social media fitness accounts for motivation, and genuinely value holistic wellness. Now, you’re ready to take things one step further: You want to hire a personal trainer. Fantastic. However, before you whip out your credit card to make that investment, you should know a few important details.
Namely, what to look for when you hire a personal trainer. Here’s the thing… Many variables go into this process. And these factors play a significant role in helping you reach your fitness goals. So, in this article, we’re revealing 7 things to look for when hiring a personal trainer.
1. Training Methodologies
Training methodologies are essential because they are tailored to meet your unique needs and goals. If your goal is to build muscle mass, for example, you wouldn’t adopt a cardio-intensive training regime. Instead, you would focus on progressively overloading on compound movements while consuming a high-protein diet that puts you in a caloric surplus. The right training method ensures you’ll reach your fitness goals quicker and more efficiently.
A few of these methods include the following:
- Weight training
- Speed and agility training
- Steady-state training
- Conditioning training
- Circuit training
- Fartlek training
- Athletic training
- Cardio training
- Resistance training
- Flexibility training and more
The wrong training method will take you further away from your goals instead of the other way around. For this reason, you should have an understanding of the various regimes. You don’t need to be an expert (that’s your personal trainer’s job); however, a general knowledge base of the different methods can go a long way.
2. Importance of Goal Setting in Personal Training
Every story has an ending, every journey has a destination, and every training regime should have a fitness goal. Knowing your outcomes gives your training purpose. Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, compete in a triathlon, or simply maintain a healthy physique, you need a goal in mind. Your personal trainer’s job is to help you reach your fitness aspirations.
Many people (of all fitness levels) hire a personal trainer to:
- Gain more energy and vitality
- Develop a stronger body
- Become more focused in day-to-day life
- Increase confidence and self-esteem
- Adopt healthy habits and, as a result, a healthy lifestyle
In short, personal trainers aren’t only there to help you lose weight or build muscle. They can also help you take a more holistic approach to health and well-being. That’s why at Future Fitness Training, we monitor your goals weekly. This allows us to adjust your plan accordingly so that you stay on track toward accomplishing your fitness ambitions.
3. Qualifications and Credentials
You wouldn’t hire a real estate agent without a certification or a lawyer without a degree, would you? Hopefully not. Similarly, you shouldn’t hire a personal trainer who lacks the right qualifications and credentials. This ensures your investment is protected. At Future Fitness Training, all of our personal trainers are certified and are available to provide support if and when you need it. Other advantages of hiring a qualified personal trainer include:
- Get professional assistance toward your health aspirations
- Receive accountability to show up on down days
- Learn proper techniques to prevent possible injuries
- Educate you on health, nutrition, and exercise
- Gain a better understanding of fitness and holistic wellness
There are numerous ways to learn about your personal trainer’s qualifications. You can look at previous client testimonials and reviews online, read their certifications (which are typically displayed in their gym office), or simply ask your trainer about them.
4. Type of Personality
Let’s face it: Nobody wants to spend time with someone they don’t enjoy being around. For this reason, it’s important to like your personal trainer. All the qualifications in the world won’t make up for a personality that rubs you the wrong way. So, ask yourself: Do you genuinely like the trainer you’re considering? Are they kind and respectful? Do you feel safe and comfortable around them? These are critical questions you need to answer when making your decision.
And the best part is that you can usually get an intuitive sense of someone’s personality right away. It won’t take ten sessions to know if a trainer is the right fit for you or not. If you’re not “clicking” after the first or second session, don’t feel bad about letting them know and moving on to another trainer.
For this reason, we at Future Fitness Training don’t have assigned trainers. We want you to have the flexibility to train with who you feel is the best fit for you. So, you’re free to schedule sessions with whomever you want—every trainer is your trainer as a FFT member.
5. Personalized Fitness Programs
Everyone is at different stages of their fitness journey. Some are just getting started, while others are more seasoned and craving new fitness challenges. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, a custom training plan will help you on your health journey. As a result, this should be top of mind when you’re ready to hire a personal trainer.
In-Club Training
In-club training is the traditional option that provides one-on-one training sessions. Also, it serves as a main selling point, and for good reason. You get live feedback regarding your form, technique, and the electric atmosphere of an in-club training experience. At Future Fitness Training, we offer an in-club option with our personal training services that offer accountability, improved performance, and fun!
Online Training
You have a busy life. So, it’s easy for work, family, and other obligations to cut into your fitness priorities. For this reason, looking for a gym that offers online training can be an important consideration. You can get all the benefits of the in-club option from the comfort of your own home. That kind of convenience can help you stick to your training in spite of a hectic schedule.
6. Pricing Information for Personal Training Sessions
Of all the things to consider when hiring a personal trainer, price may be the most important. After all, what good is a healthy body if it costs you an arm and a leg? Jokes aside, ensuring that your personal trainer costs fit into your budget is essential to following your long-term plan and achieving your fitness goals. So, do some research on the local gyms in your area.
Shop around, compare prices, and get a feel for how far your hard-earned money goes when it comes to your personal trainer. For example, at Future Fitness Training, we provide you with everything you need to win. This includes personalized training programs, nutrition planning, certified fitness coaches, high-quality supplements, and more.
Moreover, we offer several membership options that can fit your needs and budget. So, whether you want to tone up, improve your sports performance, or lose a few pounds, we have a program that can help you reach your fitness goals.
7. Benefits of Personal Training
You may be considering personal training but—for whatever reason—still feel some hesitation. If this is the case, consider what this kind of fitness partner can do for you. A personal trainer is not some dictator telling you how to work out. They guide, inform, educate, and motivate you to continue with your training regime until you reach your fitness goals.
Proven Health and Fitness Advantages
A study was conducted in 2003 by the Journal of Sports Science Medicine (an international research publication) to determine the effectiveness of personal training. The study enrolled 129 clients in a personal training fitness program. They were all tested at various stages throughout the study. The results of the 129 participants may surprise you…
- 27 remained in the maintenance stage (little physical improvements)
- 13 moved up two stages (massive physical improvements)
- 102 moved up one stage (pronounced physical improvements)
The study concluded that 77% of the 129 subjects saw marked improvements in their physical condition, performance, and well-being at the end of the program. This study proves that personal training is an effective strategy for helping you reach your fitness goals.
Friendly Support System
Let’s step back from the data for a moment and take a look at the more emotive side of the equation. Your fitness journey will take time; there will be countless ups and downs. As a result, you need someone in your corner who can support you along the way. That’s where your personal trainer comes in. They are your community and support system that can help you to:
- Stay motivated when you feel your drive slipping
- Give you inspiration by reminding about why you started
- Keep you accountable to show up when you don’t feel like it
- Ensure your workouts remain fun
- Move past plateaus when progress feels slow or even non-existent
Many people struggle to stay committed to their training regimes. However, a personal trainer helps eliminate that excuse. They serve as a powerful form of accountability to hold you to your fitness aspirations.
Conclusion: Transform Your Life Through Personal Training
When you hire a personal trainer, you’re getting more than someone with a certification. You’re getting a teammate (and expert guidance) on your fitness journey. You get someone who will be on your side until you reach the other end with your goal intact. For this reason, personal trainers are a valuable resource you should take advantage of if you’re serious about your fitness goals.
The best part is that we at Future Fitness Training can help. Our team of certified trainers has the knowledge and expertise to help you reach your health and wellness goals. So, if you’re ready to take your fitness to the next level, book your free assessment with us today.
