What Makes a Good Personal Trainer?

When starting out on a new weight loss of fitness journey many people consider hiring personal trainers. Personal trainers are a great resource that can support you in achieving your goals be in reducing weight or increasing strength. But not all trainers are the same. Depending on what you are looking to achieve, there are a variety of things that you should consider when hiring a personal trainer. But what makes a good personal trainer? The answer is that a lot of that depends on you.

This article will look at the different qualities of personal trainers and help you decide what type of personal trainer is right for you. There is no one perfect trainer for everyone. But with some knowledge of what to look for you are sure to find a great personal trainer to help you achieve your fitness and weight loss goals.

Consider Your Needs

One of the most important aspects of finding a good personal trainer is determining what your personal needs are. Though at face value it may seem like any personal trainer can help you, some trainers will be a better fit for you than others. See our list of potential needs you may have to consider who you should consider hiring.

Weight loss goals – weight loss is a very common reason for hiring a personal trainer. An experienced personal trainer will understand how weight loss works and will be able to assist you through ups and downs. Having a trainer that will tweak your needs and offer both physical training support as well as nutritional coaching will likely be an ideal combination. Look for a trainer that specifically advertises that they word with people looking to lose weight. Though sport specific trainers will likely be able to help you, a weight loss oriented trainer will likely be better equipped to help you handle the physical and emotional ups and downs of weightless.

Fitness or Esthetic Goals – the bodybuilding industry is competitive and very popular. Many people are attracted to the lifestyle of competitive fitness competitions for esthetical reasons or to push their own physical limits. For those who are looking to achieve extreme fitness or physique goals, it is a good idea to hire a trainer who has experience in that particular industry. A weight loss oriented trainer will likely not have the industry knowledge to help you succeed with your very specific goals. A well-rounded trainer with nutrition, fitness and performance related experience will be best suited to helping you achieve your goals.

Athletic Performance Goals – if you are an athlete you likely have very specific and complex training needs. Look for a trainer who is knowledgeable in your specific sport to help you get the best results. Marathon runners and football players have very different physical training needs. A professional athletic personal trainer will have the skill set to help you achieve your specific athletic performance goals. Look for a trainer who is well versed in your sport.

Your specific goals and needs should always be considered when hiring a personal trainer. Though any trainer can likely give you helpful suggestions, trainers with experience with your needs will offer you better results. Consider looking at the qualification of each personal trainer to have an understanding of why they are the right fit for your needs.

Specialized personal trainers like Ryan Grant of Grant’s MMA is a perfect example of a personal trainer for athletic performance needs. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in boxing he makes a great personal trainer for boxers. Always consider experience and credentials when looking to hire a trainer for your specific goals.

Personality Matters

Another important factor to consider when finding a good personal trainer is to consider personality. And not just the personality of your trainer, know yourself too! Finding a good personal trainer has a lot to do with your personal expectations of your trainer. If you are reserved or quite person then a “boot camp” style personal trainer may not be for you. Alternatively if you need a strong push to stay motivated a relaxed and laid back trainer may not motivate you.

Meet with a variety of personal trainers and get a feel for who you think would be the best fit. If you have the opportunity participate in a trial session. Your success does not depend on your trainer alone, so you need to ensure you are motivated to put in the work. The right personal trainer will be motivating and supportive for you. Know that a good personal trainer will be able to adapt to your needs but you must be comfortable with and have trust in the person you are working with.

Ask for References

Just like any service always ask for references before hiring a personal trainer. Ask those that your trust for their experiences with trainers and see who they might recommend for you.

If you are looking to improve your health, lose weight, or meet specific athletic goals don’t let waiting for the perfect trainer stop you. Get out of your comfort zone and just get started. If you are unsure about signing on to long term packages with a trainer see if you can negotiate smaller packages or trail options.

Consider Private Trainers

Though nearly every trainer will be able to help you in some way finding a great trainer has a lot to do with you. Remember that a past bad experience doesn’t mean that the right personal trainer isn’t out there for you. Do your research and find a personal trainer who suits your needs.

Though many franchise or big box personal trainers may be great, they might not be able to get you the specific results you are looking for. Finding a trainer that has tailored experience towards your needs is the best way to find a great personal trainer for you. What makes a good personal trainer is that they are knowledge and flexible in helping you achieve your unique goals.