Hiring a personal trainer is an excellent decision. Personal trainers can push you beyond your comfort zone, helping you achieve results that for most, would be impossible without someone pushing you. There are some things you need to consider before investing in a personal trainer.
Certification. There is no governing body that oversees personal trainers in Saskatchewan. Essentially this means anyone can call themselves a personal trainer, regardless of their education. It also means you need to do some homework. You want to makes sure your trainer has a valid certification from a recognized institute. Some examples are Can-Fit-Pro, ACE and ISSA. You should also ensure they have a valid and current CPR certification.
Price. By this, I don't mean cheaper is better. In fact, it might be exactly the opposite. Remember, you get what you pay for. Personal training can range from $30-$120 per session. You may be able to get a better deal when purchasing several sessions at once, but remember a qualified, experienced trainer with proven results will cost you a little extra, but it will be well worth it. Quality of training should always rule over lower price. If you are working on a budget, ask about group training sessions. If you train along with another person you can usually buy a group package which will cost you each less per session, plus you get a workout buddy!
Experience. This is probably one of the most important. Getting your personal trainer certification is quite basic. In fact, most people have never even designed a workout plan or a one-on-one session when they complete their course. If you choose to work with someone who has recently completed their personal training they should be accompanied by someone with extensive experience while they gain additional knowledge. The bonus is you essentially get two trainers in one.
Personality. You must have a good relationship with your trainer. Yes, this may be a "love/hate" relationship, but you need to like your trainer, most of the time. If you don't feel comfortable and confident with your trainer you may come to dread every appointment with them. Also, you want to be able to talk to them openly about your concerns, goals and your health in general.
Education. Keeping a personal training certification valid requires that you get a certain number of continuing education credits each year as well as keeping valid CPR certification. This is important and another added bonus to finding a certified trainer. Your trainer should be staying up to date with all the latest fitness trends and constantly re-educating themselves. A certification from five years ago is simply an expired certificate. Your personal trainer's certification should be valid and current.
The biggest thing to remember is that you shouldn't be afraid to ask questions. Don't feel bad asking if and when someone was certified, how much experience they have and what kind of results their clients have seen. Don't trust your health (and your money) in the hands of an inexperienced, under educated, non-certified trainer.
Say it! Mean it! Do it!
