Q: My personal trainer and I parted ways last year. We just never seemed to connect or get on the same page. Now that I’m ready to find a new trainer, how can I up the odds of making it work this time around?
A: While it may appear that all trainers do similar things with their clients (lift, run, stretch), there are potentially as many different approaches to training as there are trainers. So be patient in your search until you find someone who’s just right for you.
The best way to do that is to go in prepared. “It helps to be clear from the start why you are seeking a personal trainer and coach, and what your expectations are,” says Jolie Kobrinsky, NASM, ACE.
Are there specific goals you want to accomplish, such as losing weight, running a 5K or overcoming back pain? Personality-wise, do you want an always-positive cheerleader, a serious, hardcore performance coach, or something in between? Do you need a trainer who emails and texts frequently with encouragement and tips, or someone who is more hands-off between sessions? Once you know what you’re looking for, ask friends or the head trainer at your gym for some names, and interview them. You’re entrusting your health and fitness to this person, so don’t skip this important step. Says Kobrinsky of that initial interview, “A good trainer should let you do most of the talking.”
When you find someone you like, try a session with him or her. “You should feel safe throughout, and at the end of the workout, you should feel and move better than when you came in,” Kobrinsky says.
Most important, she adds, the trainer should inspire and motivate you. If you’re feeling that, it’s probably a good fit. If not, feel free to say no thanks, and move on.
This originally appeared in”Expert Answers: Picking a Personal Trainer, Resting Between Sets and More” in the June 2013 issue of Experience Life.
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