polynomial clogging: Get Fit, Not Hurt: Finding Your Personal TrainerTAB Massage and ...

Posted Thursday, February 2, 2012 By TAB Massage in Personal Training With | No Comments

Hiring a personal trainer can be great for your health. A fitness professional can help you lose weight, tone your muscles and achieve your health goals. But personal training has its fair share of unqualified people who claim they can train, yet put clients at risk. The problem? There are no state or federal safety regulations a person has to meet before he or she can claim they are qualified in the health and fitness field. What's worse, at some gyms - big-name health clubs included - all you need is a high school diploma to get hired. So as a consumer, it's important to know how to hire a personal trainer and avoid the ones that are potentially hazardous to you health.

Find out how you can hire the right trainer after the break....

What To Look For In A Personal Trainer?

To make sure your personal trainer is on the up-and-up, here's what you should look for.

Credentials:?Ask your personal trainer where he or she went to school or what certification training program he or she completed. Did he take proper safety and technique training courses??Is she knowledgeable in training protocols for your particular fitness goals? Don't assume that a trainer who doesn't have a degree in kinesiology or exercise science isn't for you. There are several quality certifying personal training programs in the US ? choose a trainer who has been certified from the most reputable. These include the?American College of Sports Medicine?(ACSM), the?American Council on Exercise?(ACE),National Academy of Sports Medicine?(NASM) and the?National Strength and Conditioning Association(NSCA).
Safety:?All personal trainers should know ? and be certified in ? CPR. They should also know how (and when) to use the most basic medical tools, like a puffer, as well as what to do in cases of injury or medical conditions, such as low blood sugar, fainting, heart palpitations, etc. If you have a medical condition, be sure to partner with a fitness expert who is savvy on training protocols specific for you.??Experience:?The first thing you should ask a personal trainer is how long he or she has been practicing. How many clients has she had? How long have clients stayed with him - why did they stop working with him? Has she won any awards or been recognized for outstanding work? This will give you a better idea of your potential trainer's background and whether or not he or she is passionate about the job.??Leadership:?When you work with a personal trainer you should feel confident and comfortable. A good trainer will encourage you, help you meet your goals and work with you to overcome any obstacles you may face ? all while taking your limitations and current physical health into account.??Knowledge:?When training, you're going to want to work with someone who is knowledgeable in the areas you want to focus on. For example, if you're a bodybuilder, you should look for a personal trainer who knows weights and specialized workouts. If you're really into rock climbing, you're going to want to work with a?fitness professional who's been a rock climber. And the same with other sports or activities.??Track progress:?From day one, a good personal trainer will keep track of the progress you're making and will keep you informed on things you could be doing better. Qualified trainers recognize your successes and are a positive force in helping you improve your fitness and reasonably reach your goals.

Beware of Dangerous Personal Trainers

Despite the majority of trainers who are qualified, there are those that are either underqualified or may be qualified but not cut out for the job. Listen to your gut when working with a fitness professional. If something just doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. But there are also some telling signs you may be working with a personal trainer who could harm, rather than help, your health.

Your trainer doesn't answer your questions.?If you ask a question, a good personal trainer should be able to respond with a wealth of knowledge or suggestions. If he can't ? and doesn't offer to research your question and get back to you ? something could be amiss.
Your trainer doesn't listen to you when you say no.?If you start complaining about pain or exhaustion in your muscles or joints, a good personal trainer will tell you to slow down or stop. If she doesn't and makes you push through the pain, you could get seriously hurt. Find another trainer.
Your trainer doesn't provide enough encouragement.?A personal trainer should encourage you to reach your goals. If your trainer isn't your biggest cheerleader or, worse, is demeaning and makes you feel like a failure, find a new one.
Your trainer offers unsolicited health advice - or supplements.?If for any reason a personal trainer tries to sell you on supplements offered by the gym or that he personally sells, be wary. Unless a personal trainer is a qualified doctor, holistic practitioner or nutritionist,?she should not be offering up medical advice. And with the potential danger of weight loss supplements containing potent stimulants, you definitely want to steer clear of shady advice from someone who isn't qualified to prescribe medications or supplements.
Your trainer seems distracted.?Gyms are loud places. If a personal trainer gets distracted easily or pays more attention to the cellphone or other people, it may be time to find an attentive trainer to work with ? you deserve and need undivided attention when working with weights and machines or while performing other exercises.

How to Find a Qualified Personal Trainer

If you do the research before hiring someone, finding a personal trainer that's qualified is easy. Here are some simple suggestions.

Get referrals.?We listen to the advice of our friends and family when they suggest a hairdresser or doctor, so why not a personal trainer? Their suggestions could point you to a gym or fitness club that offers the kind of training you're looking for.
Watch personal trainers at your gym.?By watching how a trainer interacts with clients, you'll get a pretty good idea of how he would work with you. In particular, look for trainers that are working with people who share your similar fitness goals.
Check out professional organizations.?The ACSM, ACE and NSCA all offer listings for personal trainers in your area.
Book a trial appointment.?A good personal trainer should be able to sit down and talk with you before you sign on.?She should also be able to walk you through a typical training routine. Many health clubs actually offer complementary personal training sessions as part of the membership.
Talk to the fitness director at your health club.?If your health club has a long list of trainers, it may be difficult to choose which one is right for you. Talk to the fitness director about your health and fitness goals and have her pair you up with the right personal trainer. And don't be afraid to ask for another referral if that particular trainer and you don't hit it off.
Don't expect miracles.?One of the common complaints from trainers is that some clients expect miracle results that are impossible to achieve and then blame their trainer for not being qualified enough to help them reach their goals. Even the best personal trainers can't deliver overnight results like losing 30 pounds in a week or dropping six dress sizes in two weeks - and they especially can't help you reach your goals if you are overeating, drinking too many calories or rarely exercising outside of your appointments. Be reasonable about your goals and take responsibility for your part of the program ? make sure you follow a healthy diet, hydrate properly, strive for adequate sleep and round out your personal training sessions with workouts of your own.