Hiring a new PT is a bit like a trust exercise. When it comes to investing money into a personal trainer, not to mention entrusting your physical health in someone else’s hands, you want to make sure you’re choosing a good one. Because let’s be honest… There are some really good trainers out there, but not all PTs are created equal.
So what should you look for? Well, that depends on who you ask. Everyone is different and has their own training needs. But we’ve been in this game for over a decade, and we like to think we have a pretty good idea of what makes a good trainer. Or perhaps more importantly, we know what makes a trainer a good fit for a particular person.
Here are 4 questions you can ask your new/prospective personal trainer; and the kind of answers you should be looking for to know they’re the right fit for you.
1. What style of training do they do?
There are so many different ways to get fit, and every PT has their tools and methods that they use to get you there. It’s much easier to achieve your goals if you enjoy the process, so if you prefer a particular style of training, it makes sense for you to seek out a coach who has experience in whatever you want to do.
Think about the kind of training you prefer, then make sure to ask your new PT if they have experience in that field.
2. What’s their “motivational style”?
A lot of people shudder at the thought of Biggest Loser style training. If you’re one of those people, it might come as a shock to hear that some people love the kind of personal training where someone is screaming at them until they start bleeding, crying, or both. Every PT will have a different communication style, and there’s no “right” or “wrong” – it’s about finding the best fit for you.
Some people like a trainer who yells at them. Other people want someone who is more introverted and provides lots of support and accountability. Or some people don’t need motivation, they just need a set of instructions to follow.
Everyone is different, so take a second to think about what you’d like to get out of your trainer – motivation, information, or both? Do you want someone quiet or loud? Then ask your new PT: what’s their style?
3. What are their qualifications and specialties?
These days it’s not enough to only have your certificate III & IV in fitness. If you talk to any experienced PT, they’ll tell you they learnt much more through coaching people, training themselves, or further education, than they did in their PT course.
Make sure you ask your new PT what other qualifications they have, and what type of clientele they train. Then ask yourself, “does this fit my needs?”
4. How flexible are they?
You don’t need to be insanely strict to achieve your fitness goals. A good PT will hold you accountable to the plan, but will also understand that we’re all human, so they’ll make sure the plan is sustainable and achievable, with a degree of flexibility so you can live life and still get results.
How strict you want to be will come down to personal preference, and this is a great conversation to have with your new PT. What are each of your expectations?
Finding the right personal trainer for you will have a huge impact on the results you get. Make sure you ask these 4 questions so you can find your perfect match.
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You can reach out to us for a personal trainer in Pymble, Lindfield and Lane Cove.
