A personal trainer can be a great way to regain fitness or push yourself to new levels. Here's how to pick the right one for you
For many people, the gym just doesn't cut it. It can be crowded in there, the machines can be confusing, scarily muscled people are gazing lovingly at themselves in the mirror and you have no idea of how many reps, what number of sets and which weights you should be using. If this is you, then a personal trainer could be the answer. But how do you find one that's going to work for you? To find out, we asked Nick Woodall, owner of Sydney's Inner West Outdoor Fitness, about what to look for in a potential trainer. Here are his tips.
Credentials
"The minimum requirement in Australia is a Cert 4 in Personal Training," says Woodall, stressing that if you've had a child or have an injury, further expertise is needed. "I'd be looking for someone who's got other credentials, someone who's experienced and qualified with postnatal fitness and managing rehabilitation. If it's a postnatal fitness class, they should be experienced in dealing with a body that's had significant changes due to giving birth - getting the strength back in the pelvic floor. Abdominal separation is another aspect that they have to be mindful of."
Personality
It's important to look for someone who will find ways to get the best out of you. "You want a trainer that motivates you,' says Woodall. "Most women respond well to positive reinforcement rather than someone who screams and shouts."
The Right Strengths
Aim for a trainer who specialises in the area of fitness you want to work on. "if your goal is to be able to run 10 kilometres, you don't want to hire someone with a background in strength and conditioning. You want someone who has your goals in mind and asks you questions to establish what those goals are." A good trainer, says Woodall, will be upfront about whether they're right for you. "They should be able to say to you whether they're suitable for you or not, rather than just taking you on as a client for the extra cash."
Get Assessed First
You want a trainer who takes your background into account and factors this in to your training. "I make sure all my clients fill out a pre-exercise questionnaire, which has got their medical history and personal details," says Woodall, "then i establish if they've got any medical issues which may inhibit them from starting an exercise program or whether certain exercises may have to be modified to suit them."
Individual Treatment, Even in a Group
With the popularity of boot camp-style group training, it's important to look for a trainer who is inclusive in their approach. "My message to clients is, 'Come along and do what you're capable of doing. Don't do anything that you think is beyond you and we will adjust exercises to suit your capabilities.' If i say do five rounds of a particular circuit and they can only do two or three, well, they only do two or three."
How Often?
"When you're starting out, twice a week is good," says Woodall, "with a view towards building up to three or four times a week." A good trainer will also suggest workouts that can be done when it suits you. "A lot of times i'll give my client a circuit they can do at home that doesn't require any equipment," he says.
Ask for a Free Trial
If you're buying a car, it's important to take it for a no-obligation spin first. The same applies to a trainer. "I offer a one-week free trial so they can come along and experience our session before committing to any kind of payment," says Woodall.
Don't Get Locked In
Avoid any trainer who doesn't allow flexible payments. Woodall offers direct debit which can be cancelled at any time and also uses a coffee-card system where clients pay for ten sessions and get their card clipped at the session. "There are quite a few businesses out there that lock people into a four-week or six-week cancellation period," he says, "and sometimes you'll get clients who decide it's not for them."
Reputation
You wouldn't stay in a hotel without checking the reviews on a TripAdvisor or Wotif; do similar research on a prospective trainer. "Definitely look at the testimonials on a trainer's website," suggests Woodall.
How Much?
A good rule of thumb is $15-$20 for a group session lasting 45-60 minutes, says Woodall; for a one-on-one session, expect to pay between $70 and $120.
How to Find Them
There are several ways to find a trainer in your area. Fitness Australia has listings but there are plenty of good, qualified trainers who are not on this optional list. Word of mouth from a trusted source is always a good option. Then there's the standard method none of us can now live without. "Most enquiries come through Google," says Woodall.
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