Hiring a personal trainer is a big commitment both mentally and physically, as it requires you to put your all into focusing on your health and how you train your body. However, have you also considered the fact that it’s a monetary investment? These
experts can be incredibly smart and effective, but they do cost money in order to train with on a regular basis. This is why it’s so important to make sure you’re working with someone who encompasses the qualities that you’d want in this type of professional. To help make sure you select an individual you can feel confident working with, look for the following 10 key traits of a great personal trainer:1. Friendly Personality
While it might be alright to be treated as just another customer when you checkout at the grocery store, this shouldn’t be the case when you’re working with a personal trainer. They should have a friendly personality that’s genuinely welcoming to you every time your there. They should feel more like your friend than someone who you’re paying to help you. This type of training is incredibly personal, so you want to have someone around who you feel a good camaraderie with. Perhaps this is why it’s recommended to interview at least a few trainers before you select the one that you “click” with the best. Remember, not all trainers have a “let’s be friends” personality, so it’s crucial to briefly talk with them before you get started training.
2. Encouraging
The last thing most clients want is for their trainer to just give them instructions and count their reps, as this won’t motivate them to push harder. This is why it’s important to look for a trainer who is going to encourage you every step of the way and root you on to do more. With them cheering you on while you’re lifting weights or running, you are going to be much more likely to reach your goals. Are you the type of person who gives up easily, especially while tired? Then you’ll want a trainer who is dedicated to motivating you to push yourself and reach every single goal you have in mind.
3. Enthusiastic
Your entire state of mind can change when you walk into the gym and are greeted by a trainer who is excited to see you. With a big smile on their face they’ll get you started with the routine for the day and help you do more with your body. This trait isn’t one that all trainers have, but with those who do, it can make a big difference in your experience. An enthusiastic attitude can even brush off on you and give you more excitement for your training sessions.
4. Educated
You wouldn’t see a doctor who hadn’t been to medical school, so why would you see a trainer who didn’t have a fitness certification? This is one of the first things you should ask about, just to make sure your trainer is truly a professional. In addition to knowledge on training, this will prove that they have knowledge of exercise procedures, body anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and management of weight. All of these things are going to provide you as the client with a much better experience because you’ll get more solid advice.
5. Experienced
Just like with any job, the more experience you have the better you’re going to be at what you do. This is especially true of trainers, as the more time they have working with clients, the better they get at catering to their needs. Not to mention a trainer who has experience is likely to have many stories of success, meaning clients they’ve helped reach all types of different goals. Of course it’s always an option to take a chance with a new trainer, but if you’re looking for the best, then experience is very important.
6. Punctual
Training sessions can be expensive and take up time in your schedule, which is why punctuality is a trait every trainer should have. They should be there on time for every session, and if they are going to be late for some reason, that’s something they should tell you ahead of time. On the flip side you should make sure you work to encompass this quality as well, because your trainer won’t want to train you if you’re constantly running late.
7. Understanding
Whether you believe it or not, there are a lot of emotions that can come up when you’re pushing your body and mind to their limits in the gym. This is why it’s beneficial to work with someone who will take the time to understand where you’re coming from, why you feel the way you do, and how your emotions may be mentally blocking your progress. Sure this might feel like a therapy session, but a good trainer will be able to roll with it and help you overcome hurdles.
8. Communicative
Guiding you through exercises is important, especially as you first begin in the gym. Your trainer should have open communication about what you’ll do, how many reps you’ll do, and what’s expected of you. In addition to this, they should take the time to openly discuss your goals and what you want to achieve in the coming days, months, and even years.
9. Attentive
Are you doing a lift the right way? Is your posture correct while you’re doing pushups? These are things you need to know in order to make sure you are being safe and minimizing your risk of injury. When doing any exercise your trainer should be right there next to you, giving you advice, encouraging you to continue, and giving you motivation for pushing yourself harder. If they are not attentive, then what’s the point of working with them?
10. Patience
When working with a personal trainer, patience is one trait you will be most grateful that they have. Otherwise if you’re not as fast as other clients or need to do things over again, your trainer may become frustrated and eager to push you along more quickly. If you instead work with someone who is patient, they’ll be excited to see you progress and motivated to determine what changes they can make in your regimen to create a more effective workout.