Not all personal trainers are created equal.  That’s why it is so important that you do your due diligence before signing up with a personal trainer.  Don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you need to in order to feel comfortable.  If the trainer refuses to answer, or you don’t like what you’re hearing, move on to the next candidate!

When hiring a personal trainer, you should ask:

What are your qualifications and certifications?  Primarily, you need to determine just how competent they are.  The unfortunate fact is that anyone can set themselves up as a personal trainer.  There is no mandated comprehensive testing or licensing required for personal training.  Furthermore, training for personal trainers can range from professionals who have a degree from an accredited university to others who have taken a basic fitness course spanning a couple of weeks.  

 

What type of training methods do you use?

A red flag should go up if the trainer you are interviewing suggests they use the same “tried and true” method with every client.  Methods should vary depending on a variety of factors such as your health needs and fitness level, as well as the trainer’s experience and preferences.  

What are your policies and procedures?

Admittedly, this isn’t the part most people want to discuss but it’s important.  Any personal trainer should provide you with their written policy outlining their services, costs, contract length, and cancellation procedure, regardless if you ask for one or not.  Always be suspicious of any business that won’t provide this information.