If you're considering hiring a personal trainer, there are a few questions you should ask first. A good PT will be more than happy to answer these queries, which will help you make an informed decision about whether or not they're the right one for you. Here are six questions I would suggest asking:
What's your training style?
Now that you have a good idea of what you want your trainer to be able to do for you, it's time to find out more about their style and approach.
Ask them:
- What's their training style?
- What's their training philosophy?
- How do they approach nutrition with clients?
- Do they have any special training or certification in injury prevention or rehabbing injuries (like corrective exercise)? If so, how does this help with your goals and needs as a client?
You should also ask about motivation--how do they encourage their clients? Do they share your fitness goals and support them through the process of achieving these goals together. You'll want someone who will work with you throughout the process instead of just showing up at the gym for an hour every week or two until something better comes along!
How much will a session cost?
Once you've found a trainer and have decided to go with them, it's time to ask about how much they charge per session. You'll want to know how many sessions they expect you to get out of each package so that you can see if there are any discounts for buying packages in bulk or paying upfront. A good personal trainer won't hesitate when answering this question--they'll give you an exact number without hesitation and explain why it's important for them not only as business owners but also because good trainers want their clients' best interests at heart.
Can I work with you face-to-face, or is it all online?
It's important to be able to see your trainer in person, and not just because it's nice to look at someone who is helping you. Face-to-face interaction allows for better communication and understanding between you and your trainer. You can ask questions, get feedback on how things are going and make sure that they're doing what they say they will do.
If all of your sessions are done over Skype or email, it may be difficult for either party to get the results they want from working together--and there's no guarantee that your trainer is even following through with their end of things!
What are your qualifications and certifications?
Certifications are an important part of a personal trainer's credentials. However, they don't tell the whole story. You should also ask about their training background and experience, education, philosophy and approach to fitness and health.
Where are you located, and how often will we work together?
Location is important. If you live far away from the trainer, he or she will have to travel to you and vice versa. This can be expensive and time consuming for both of you, so make sure that location doesn't work against your goals before deciding on a personal trainer.
How often will we work together? The answer to this question depends on your goals and budget. If you want help getting into shape fast, then working with a personal trainer once per week may not be enough for results--but it could still be worth it if the price is right! If cost isn't an issue for you (or if it's covered by insurance), then consider signing up for multiple sessions per week; however keep in mind that some trainers charge extra fees for more frequent appointments.
Can my trainer come to me? Or do I need travel somewhere else? Some people prefer having someone come directly into their homes or offices rather than having them drive across town every day just so they can get some exercise done...
What's the agreement process like? Do you offer cancellation policies, for example?
The agreement process is one of the most important steps for hiring a personal trainer. It's where you'll learn about your trainer's cancellation policy, how long the agreement is for, and what happens if either party cancels or misses sessions.
Here are some questions to ask:
- How long does this contract last? If it's longer than six months (and most fitness trainers will offer 12-month contracts), ask yourself if that's something you want to commit to for so long. If it isn't, consider asking them about shorter options instead.
- What happens if I don't show up for a session? Or what happens if my trainer doesn't show up? This question can help ensure that both parties are held accountable in case of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances--and it shows good faith on both sides!
Be sure to ask these questions before hiring a personal trainer.
- How long have you been in business?
- What is your training philosophy and approach?
- Do you offer one-on-one or group sessions, and what are the benefits of each?
- Will I be working with a trainer who has experience in my area of focus--for example, weight loss or muscle building--or will it be someone with more general knowledge about fitness and exercise?
I hope this article has helped you understand the importance of hiring a personal trainer. It can be a big investment and one that may not always be necessary, but if you are serious about losing weight or getting fit, then it's worth considering. Ideally, you should hire someone who understands your goals and is willing to work with them--and who also asks questions about what matters most to YOU!
