Is your fitness trainer for real?

We go and see a qualified doctor if we are unwell, we visit a qualified dentist if our teeth hurt, a physiotherapist who helps us with any injuries has a university degree.

So when we look for a fitness trainer, someone with whom we are going to trust the health of our bodies, should we not expect the same standard of certification? Do not assume that because your fitness trainer is working at a gym that they are certified. If you find that they are certified, that certification should come from a legit certification body. This is one of the most important aspects to know when learning what to look for in a personal trainer. When you are wondering what to look for in a personal trainer, you want to see that the personal trainer is also keeping his or her certification current. Your trainer should also be currently certified in first aid and CPR.

Before a personal trainer puts you through your first workout, they should take your medical history and have you perform a fitness evaluation -- if they don't, you should tell them what to look for in a personal trainer. A fitness evaluation may come in the form of a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), which will ensure that your trainer is aware of any conditions that may affect your performance (such as asthma, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and scoliosis). Also, musculoskeletal or orthopedic injuries have to be considered when choosing exercises and any exercise modifications that have to be made. The fitness evaluation includes your fitness goals, your target heart rate, blood pressure, starting weight, and body composition. Don't forget to sign the informed consent form.

Once your personal trainer completes their initial evaluation, they will set up a program that incorporates your goals, but they should also address your needs. For example, if you sit at a desk all day, your chest is probably tight and your rhomboids are probably weak. Your hamstrings and piriformis will also likely be tight and weak. As a result, postural issues and imbalances should be addressed and/or corrected. Men are notorious for neglecting their lower body and it becomes the personal trainer's job to help you train all muscle groups. Every four to six weeks your personal trainer should make changes to your routine to avoid a plateau, helping you continue to make fitness gains.

Before you hire a trainer, don't be afraid to get references. Talk to their previous or current clients to get a feel of how that personal trainer addresses their fitness concerns, handles cancellations and rescheduling, and whether or not they have made progress while working with them. Also, check if your personal trainer only trains a certain type of client. Are all their clients already in shape or do they have clients on a variety of fitness levels and are able to work with all of them?

A trainer who approaches you to offer a session or give pointers on your form, shouldn't look like they need a trainer themselves; they should be in good physical shape. In the health and fitness industry, a fitness instructor's appearance is definitely part of their marketing. Can your instructor demonstrate the exercises they're asking you to perform? It is important that before you shell out bucks and put your trust and, in some instances, your health in the hands of a personal trainer, make sure they are fully prepared, trained and professional.