So you’re thinking about getting a personal trainer. First of all, congratulations! It’s a big step toward better health, and an even bigger commitment to caring for yourself overall.
Knowing how to find a good personal trainer who will not only whip you into shape but also keep you coming back for more can be an intimidating process at first. After all, it’s a lot of trust to put into a person. There are plenty of options out there, but only some truly stand out when it comes to expertise, motivational aptitude, and the ability to personalize a plan.
When you know what to look for in a personal trainer, the questions to ask, and what you’re hoping to achieve, knowing how to pick a personal trainer becomes less daunting.
Should a workout beginner get a personal trainer?
“Yes. Yes. Yes. 100%,” says Anytime Fitness Coach Heather. “And this is very important: There’s no need to lose weight first. People tell me all the time, ‘I want to get in shape and then I’ll try your training sessions.’” But Coach Heather knows firsthand how effective it can be to start your journey with someone who truly knows what they’re doing.
Before becoming an AF member and eventually a Coach, Heather entered her fitness journey with a major weight-loss goal. “My thinking was that I was going to do it on my own. Do cardio training three times a week, get on the elliptical — all that.” When she was offered a free fitness consultation at her local Anytime Fitness gym, she did it. “And I’m so glad I did because I would’ve missed out on all of these things that I now know coaches provide. I learned so much.”
Though there is nothing wrong with independent exercise if someone knows what they’re doing, seeing results, and enjoying it. “But if you’re not sure what to do, if you want to help yourself avoid injury, if you would like to get to your goals in the safest and most efficient way possible in the shortest amount of time possible — it’s in your best interest to get a coach,” says Coach Heather.
Why a personal trainer or coach is right for you
A good personal trainer or coach can help you live a healthier lifestyle, stay in shape, and keep you motivated to get to a better place in your fitness journey. Working with a personal trainer or coach at least once is a great idea, no matter what level of fitness you consider yourself to be in. In fact, the best personal trainers typically have fitness trainers themselves. Here are some of the reasons why.
Benefits of having a fitness coach
- More effective workouts
You might spend a lot of time looking for the perfect exercise routine, only to find conflicting information or workouts that don’t really suit your specific needs. A personal trainer eliminates this guesswork by streamlining your workout to ensure that every single move serves a purpose. This efficiency saves time and makes sure every workout is a step toward your fitness goals.
- Personalized workouts that are tailored to you
A notable perk of hiring a personal trainer is the customized plan designed to fit your body, goals, and current experience level. Trainers assess your fitness levels and take into account any existing health concerns, previous injuries, and long-term objectives before crafting a plan. With this personalized approach, you’ll maximize results while minimizing the risk of injury or falling into a results plateau.
- Accountability that keeps you on track
It’s easy to sideline your fitness resolutions, but a personal trainer holds you accountable. With a scheduled training session, you’re more likely to show up. This built-in accountability significantly raises your adherence to your regimen, resulting in more consistent and dependable progress.
- You can learn what you need to know and ignore the noise
There’s more fitness, nutrition, and recovery information than ever before, which is great. However, knowing what to trust and ignore can be hard. While the information may be genuine and true, it may not apply directly to your fitness level, experience, body, or goals.
The right personal trainer can communicate the information you should care about succinctly and clearly. They can answer your questions in a way that’s applicable to you. The best part about working with a trainer is that they listen with empathy and communicate with you in a genuine way to help you approach your fitness goals holistically. It’s not just their career; it’s their passion.
- Varied workouts keep you motivated
Repetition can lead to boredom, which often derails a fitness journey. And while you can listen to upbeat music or read inspiring words and quotes during your workout, having someone to guide you one-on-one down your fitness path is a total game changer.
A personal trainer injects variety and creativity into your workouts, keeping them fun and engaging. This mix of exercises not only keeps things interesting but also challenges your body in new ways, leading to better results.
- Support in and out of the gym
One of the things that makes Anytime Fitness Coaches stand out is their comprehensive approach to fitness, nutrition, and recovery. “A coaching program here is going to include those holistic components,” says Coach Heather. “It’ll be more lifestyle-based with strategic action steps. Training is what happens when you’re inside the gym and coaching encompasses all of the other 23 hours of your day, from your sleep to your nutrition, to your stress management — all of it.”
Coaches will help keep you motivated to reach your fitness goals by celebrating your milestones, providing encouragement during challenging times, and remaining focused on your progress, even when it’s hard for you.
- Nutritional guidance for a holistic approach
Fitness isn’t just about what you do in the gym — it’s also about how you fuel your body outside of the gym. While not all personal trainers will provide nutritional guidelines that complement your fitness routine, many (including Anytime Fitness Coaches) can approach your health holistically. By teaching you what to eat and when, they can help you optimize your workout and achieve your goals more effectively.
- Less chance of injury
Improper exercise technique not only hinders your progress but can lead to injuries. A personal trainer or coach teaches you the right form for each exercise and ensures that you’re performing them safely. This professional supervision is particularly crucial for beginners and those returning to exercise after a hiatus.
- Enhanced mental health and self-esteem
Physical activity has been shown to improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and stress. A personal trainer not only boosts your physical health but also supports your mental well-being. As you witness your body getting stronger and more resilient, your self-esteem will flourish.
- Lasting lifestyle changes
“A good coach won’t tell you how to live your life,” says Coach Heather. “A good coach will help you unlock ways to get out of your own way. They’ll help you figure out ways to identify what you’re doing that serves your goals, and what you might be doing that contradicts your goals.”
6 tips for how to pick a personal trainer or coach
Once you’ve decided to invest in a personal trainer, what comes next? How do you know what to look for in a personal trainer? Here are a few things to consider. And of course, talk to your doctor about any major health concerns before you start.
1. Figure out what YOU want
The first step is to understand what it is you’re looking for and what your fitness goals are.
- What are 3–5 things that I’m hoping a trainer or coach can help me achieve? Maybe you are there to lose weight or build muscle. Maybe you want accountability or a sense of community. Maybe your goal is to run a marathon. Are you trying to learn more about your body and the unique workouts that could benefit you? Did you have an injury that you’re working to recover from? Or maybe you’re just trying to feel better overall. Knowing your goals for getting a personal trainer will help you know what to look for in a personal trainer.
- How often do I want to work out each week? This might be a question that your trainer or coach can help you answer based on your goals, but it’s worth considering how much time you’re ready (and able) to dedicate. You can always bump up your workout frequency as you progress.
- What’s my budget? Personal trainer services and cost can vary by location. It’s good to have an idea of what you can allocate to your health and wellness goals when you begin your search.
- Do I want a coach or a personal trainer? Not sure what the difference is? The short answer is this: All fitness coaches are personal trainers, but not all personal trainers are fitness coaches. A personal trainer is an expert at delivering a workout for you to help you reach your goals in the gym. A coach will guide you in a holistic way, incorporating training, nutrition and recovery into your program.
- Does gender matter to me? In the same way people prefer a certain gender for massage therapy or medical professionals, some have a preference for their personal trainer.
- What kind of personality am I looking for? “For client personality, there is a perfect coach personality,” says Coach Heather. You’ll want to ask yourself, “Will I be more motivated by a drill sergeant personality or someone who understands that while fitness is a priority, it’s not my life?”
Setting specific and attainable goals
The first thing you should do before you even meet your trainer is think about your goals. Setting goals is important, but setting attainable fitness goals is crucial. Consider your fitness journey, age, skill level, how much time you’re able to invest, and how soon you want to reach your goals.
The benefit of setting a specific goal is that you’ll be able to define action steps to get there, and working with a personal trainer takes out the guesswork involved and builds in accountability for you to stick to the plan.
While weight loss is a common goal, there are plenty of other milestones that are worth working toward. A great coach will help remind you of your goals, stick to them when your motivation is low, and identify when you may be ready for a new goal or challenge.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask about experience or credentials
Talking to your potential trainer about their education, expertise, experience, and certification(s) is a great way to get a feel for their personality, as well as make sure they’re the right personal trainer for you.
The best trainers have the right knowledge, skill, and passion for their job, all of which make them certified to work in their field. Many will have a degree in exercise science or sports medicine, and the best trainers also have a certification from fitness industry organizations or agencies like:
3. Get a consultation and ask questions
If you’re interested in working with a personal trainer, meeting with one is the first step.
Anytime Fitness offers free hour-long sessions with a Coach. This is your chance to ask your burning questions about training, nutrition, and recovery. You’ll also get a feel for their personality, training style, specialty areas of expertise, and just how fun it is to train with a Coach.
Plus, you’ll also get a 30-day personalized plan and a follow-up to assess your results, even if you end up not signing up for Coaching services.
Here are some questions you can ask your trainer to get to know their style and philosophy:
- How do you measure success?
- Do you personalize your workout programs to each client or generally use the same for everyone?
- What is your background and how did you make the decision to pursue a job or career as a personal trainer?
- How much does personal training cost? Do you have specific packages or plans?
- How many training sessions a week do you recommend, and how long are they?
- What does your schedule look like? When are you available?
- What’s the best way to communicate with you?
- What would a long-term plan look like for me?
4. Consider how you feel after you’ve met with a trainer or coach
There are plenty of skilled trainers ready to work with you. The key is finding the right fit, knowing how to find a good personal trainer for you is important.
“After your first meeting or training session with a potential coach, do you feel inspired?” says Coach Heather. “Empowered? Motivated? Do you feel like you have a partner? Or, are you feeling a little daunted? Are you feeling like, ‘whoa, that’s too much for me.’ Because I’ve been in that situation. I’ve had coaches of my own and it’s not always been a great fit. And that’s OK!”
5. Know the green (and red) flags to look for in a personal trainer
Most trainers will be able to effectively train you; what matters is knowing how to pick a personal trainer who will coach and keep you motivated throughout your relationship.
See how the coach interacts with you during a training session. Are they focused or do they seem bored? Are they performing and modeling the reps, and are they giving feedback on your form? How does the trainer help you problem-solve?
In terms of measuring success, look for a coach that offers a variety of ways to analyze training results.
Whether your goal is weight loss, gaining strength, or something different altogether, the best Coach for you will be able to point out all the ways you’re improving your health along the way. That’s why, instead of the scale, many Anytime Fitness gyms use the Evolt 360, a body composition scanner that analyzes your unique body and measures things like muscle mass, body fat percentage, and more.
These are all important considerations when searching for the best personal trainer for you. The right personal trainer will have your best interest at heart, be able to give you individual attention during your personal training sessions, and share techniques and tips that will help you on your fitness journey.
6. Make a change if it’s not working
Even if you know how to get a personal trainer, there might be a little bit of trial and error in finding someone who’s the right fit. Give yourself time to see how the relationship works, and if it doesn’t end up being what you need, try another coach. You might not know exactly what you need until you’ve had a trainer for a little while.
Choosing a personal trainer requires not only research but patience. However, once you know what to look for in a personal trainer, the trial and error is well worth the effort.
A final word on knowing what to look for in a personal trainer
Success doesn’t happen by chance — it’s the result of effective planning. Knowing how to find a good personal trainer means getting someone who will map out a coaching program that ensures you’re constantly challenging and improving yourself.
Consider looking for someone who can help you focus on the long term by creating a sustainable plan that you can integrate into your lifestyle. With a proactive partner by your side, your fitness journey is structured for success.
How to get a personal trainer or coach
If you’re ready to take your health and fitness to the next level, consider enlisting the help of a professional. The results may surprise you, not just in your physical health, but in your overall well-being. Try us for free today!
