Choosing a Personal Trainer

by Tiffany Hayward, MSc.

Whether you are looking to lose weight, quit bad habits, consume a diet rich in nutrients, or gain energy and self-esteem; adapting a healthier way of living may seem overwhelming. If you’re contemplating adapting a healthier lifestyle it can be extremely beneficial to hire a personal trainer to help you carry out the planning, execution and maintenance phase of your behaviour change.

A trainer can help you to set realistic goals and design a plan to reach your optimal health and wellness. A trainer can assess your current fitness level and help you to devise a plan for a safe and effective exercise routine and healthy diet. Once you have a plan in place, your trainer can motivate you to follow through and practice accountability for the changes you desire to make.

When choosing a trainer it is important to conduct the behind the scenes research to ensure that your trainer is well educated and certified by a reputable fitness organization. The most common certifications are through the Canadian Fitness Professionals (canfitpro) and the American Council of Exercise (ACE); other reputable fitness organizations do exist. Your trainer should have a bio available that lists there certifications, educational background, and experience. This process will help you and your trainer to design a program that is tailored to your individual needs. For example if you are struggling with a back injury and you are interested in low impact mat work you will want to find a trainer who is certified in Pilates or Yoga.

Your trainer should also possess a current First Aid and CPR certification in order to ensure safety. If you have a specific medical condition, injury, or condition (such as heart disease, diabetes or pregnancy) ensure that your trainer is educated in these areas and is willing to work with your physician. Trainers with formal education in health science will have a strong knowledge base in anatomy, biology and physiology and therefore be more equipped to handle special ailments. Trainers should also be certified by a credible fitness organization in pre and post natal exercise in order to ensure safety for this group.

A connection with your trainer is vital in order to reach success along your journey to better health. Asking for help is a big step and your trainer should appreciate this and show their support by listening carefully to your needs and helping you to devise a plan that is realistic for you. Empathy and compassion are important qualities for a trainer to possess in order to be able to relate to the struggles of behaviour change and the determination it takes to be successful. Lastly, it is important to have fun with your trainer. Initially exercise may seem like a chore and your trainer may have to instil motivation in you; however, overtime a good trainer will help you to find the enjoyment in exercise so that you may develop intrinsic motivation and self-discipline to continue moving in a positive direction.

When looking for a trainer you can contact local fitness organizations in your community and ask about the trainers they have on staff. Some gyms have personal trainers on staff and offer attractive packages for personal training. You can also look in your yellow pages, use Personal Trainer Finder or IDEA Fitness Connect to find trainers in your area, or search for local personal training studios. The cost will vary depending on where you live and your trainer's experience and education. Typically, the cost will be anywhere from $30 to $100 a session.

PILATES FOR ME is a local personal training studio that offers classes and one- on- one training by highly qualified trainers. We take pride in continuing education and uphold a high standard of excellence in exercise and nutrition counseling for a variety of populations.  PILATES FOR ME staff is canfitpro certified and head trainers are qualified to certify others as canfitpro Personal Training Specialists.