What to Look for in a Trainer

We may have done a post like this in the past but the topic came up again recently from a few people asking what are some of the key qualities to look for when hiring a trainer. Here are a few key components that in our opinion matter most.

1. Where do they train? Here is something I learned a long time ago, if a trainer is really good, they typically do not work in the chain Gym’s. I may take a lot of heat from trainers on this but really if you are good, why are you giving a large chunk of your income back to the gym? I realize there are smaller local gyms that may have some exceptional trainers at them but this is largely due to the fact that the trainers are independent contractors who set their own rates and are not employees of the gym. Look for these independent trainers, they typically have the skills to better serve you or they would be out of business already.

2. What does your initial evaluation look like? Every trainer should have you fill out forms but from there what do they want to know about you? Your goals to be honest are a small part of the equation. A good trainer will want to know everything they can about you. What current pain symptoms do you have, what past injuries have you had, what is your job, what is a typical day like? These are all questions that start to build a map that allows a trainer to understand what the stimulus has been to your body that enables it to get to where it is today.

Along with this will be what they do for the physical part of it. If they want to get your grip strength, your height and weight, body composition, lung capacity, run away if you can. These tests are meaningless in our opinion and are there simply to give the trainers some way of setting goals with you. If your trainer however want to do a postural analysis, gait pattern, different exercise tests, this is what you want because they are looking for how your current level of function will determine your most appropriate starting point based on your goals.

3. What are they offering? Many Chain gyms are looking for the best package or the best commission for you. A great trainer will tell you how many sessions they recommend based on your goals and your ability level but they will also be able to make other arrangements based on what you can do financially. It should not be set packages but more what the factors of money, goals, and ability level require your training package to be.

Finally make sure you feel this is someone you can have a relationship with. If there is no connection it will be a struggle throughout.