There is a myth going around that anyone can become a personal trainer. Since there are approximately 340,000 of them it seems this may have some validity.
The reality is: Anyone can. There are plenty of weekend certifications or at-home study courses you can complete in as little as a weekend…so yes, anyone can become a personal trainer.
But here’s the deal:
Just because someone is certified…may not make them qualified to be a good personal trainer for you. Some may not fully understand what it takes to help YOU reach your goals. They may be good at giving you a workout program. But there is so much more to being successful. Just because someone goes to the gym every day, looks good, and knows the equipment doesn’t mean they can actually be a quality teacher.
It’s like an amateur gardener trying to plan a whole landscape design. They may do a great job planning and designing but may not get your “vision” or dream for your backyard. So when it comes to the final product, they may fall short on what you want—and you could be out a lot of money.
And that brings me to the point of this message:
When you’re looking to hire a personal trainer, you should interview them just like you would interview a potential applicant for a job. If you’re not sure what to ask, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the important questions you should be asking before working with any personal trainer:
- How long have you been a personal trainer?
- Where did you study to become a personal trainer?
- What organizations are you certified through? Is it nationally recognized?
- Is your certification current?
- Do you participate in continuing education? If so, what was the last topic you studied?
- What are your beliefs as a trainer? How will your philosophy help me reach my goals?
- Do you have a cancellation policy?
- Do you have any testimonials from others who you’ve worked with that may have similar goals to me?
*** And here is my favorite question that separates the quality of Your life-changing help, instruction, and goal achievement: How are you qualified to help me?
These are some of the burning questions you should be asking any potential trainer you may want to hire now, and in the future, to make sure they understand your goals and can help you reach them.
Dedicated to your healthy lifestyle,
Coach Greg
