Personal fitness is something that many of us want to work towards but often find difficult to achieve. Whether it’s time, resources, or sheer lack of motivation, there are occasionally barriers that stand in the way. But hiring a personal trainer to help develop and implement a training regime, and then provide support, encouragement, and motivation can help you succeed in your fitness goals.
But what do you look for when hiring a personal trainer? Are they certified? How can I tell if it’s a qualified personal trainer in Leeds or just a fitness fanatic in Loughborough? Here’s our list to guide you when looking for a personal trainer.
Check their qualifications
Just because someone patrols the gym giving tips and advice doesn’t mean they’re a personal trainer. Before hiring someone make sure that have certification from a legitimate organisation, such as UKSCA. They may also have a university degree in a related field, such as sports medicine or exercise physiology. Don’t be afraid to ask what their qualifications are. Good personal trainers will be pleased that you asked and are often more than happy to share this information with you.
Are they registered?
Good personal trainers are registered with a national body such as the National Register of Personal Trainers. The NRPT requires all members to have a level 3 personal training qualification and public liability insurance to join. This allows you to search their database for a personal trainer near you and have the confidence they are a qualified professional.
Discuss areas of speciality
If you’re looking for a particular type of personal trainer, it is always a good idea to talk to them and see if what they’re offering matches your requirements. A personal trainer can be used in a variety of ways. They can help you recover from an accident or illness, improve general fitness, devise a program to assist with weight loss, or train you to run a marathon. Many personal trainers specialise in different areas, and if their speciality isn’t for you, they may be able to recommend someone who will perfectly suit your needs.
Are they flexible?
While personal trainers can work at any time of the day, you may not be able to, particularly if you have a 9-5 job. Before deciding on a personal trainer, make sure they are flexible and can fit into your schedule. Choose a couple of slots each week that you know are available to you and make sure the trainer can commit to the times. You want to be spending your time exercising, not rearranging sessions.
Do you like them and can you work with them?
This is probably one of the most important aspects of hiring a personal trainer. You’re paying them to help with your fitness, so you want to know that you can get along with them. There’s no point in hiring a trainer who is a tough taskmaster if you can’t engage with them. If you don’t look forward to training, there will be little benefit to you or your bank balance. Make sure there’s professional chemistry before signing up.
No Comments