My name is Corey Ritchie, and I’m an exercise physiologist turned fitness journalist, and fitness editor. Women’s health. When I’m not writing, editing and researching fitness, I’m teaching it to my personal training and group fitness clients. In my new column, between setsI follow this advice, instructions and ‘Aha!’ I raise the curtain. The moments I share with my clients while they breathe. Stick around for strategic, science-backed nuggets that will help you move better, train smarter, and actually enjoy the process.
At best, fitness is Certainly personal Your exercise program should help you reach your goals while working on your weaknesses. The fire under you can make someone else want to never set foot in a gym. Even the perfect form is not one-size-fits-all; This is caused by factors such as bone length and joint movement.
And sure enough, the internet is full of “Try Glute Burning Leg Day” TikToks and “custom” programs designed by ChatGPT for free for an unbeatable price. But having the right support can help you reach your goals faster, and achieve more than you ever thought possible (and I’m not just talking about job security).
Still, finding the right trainer can take some trial and error. While there are quality professionals out there, each comes with a different skill set and teaching style—and you’ll learn more and be more inspired with someone who matches your energy.
Thus, finding your perfect match can feel a bit like dating. Interesting? yes. A little weird? of course. Show up with the right questions, though, and you can find your perfect fit quickly. Here’s what to ask.
5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Trainer
What special certifications/education do you have?
There are (unfortunately) many trainers with very little formal training. They can appears They know because they have spent years raising themselves. And while you certainly want a trainer who practices what they preach, training someone else safely and effectively requires more than personal experience.
I have seen it myself many times. Back in my gym management days, I would hire a certified trainer with great energy and killer people skills. Then, I’ll see a client ask them a technical question, and they look like they’ve seen a ghost. There’s real science behind exercise programming, biomechanics, injury prevention—and studies in depth.
Some certifications are easier to obtain than others. Some allow open-book testing, and others you can take on weekends with no prerequisites. This may not be the level of training you want from the person responsible for your shape and development.
What to look for: Now, of course, not all great coaches have certifications just like not all coaches with bad certifications are bad coaches—but that’s a starting point. As a general rule, check the CPT (Certified Personal Trainer) accreditation and where it is from. The most widely accepted accreditations are from NSCA, ACE, or NASM. An NSCA-CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) trainer may cost a bit more, as this is an advanced certification with more stringent requirements.
Can you explain how you want to motivate people?
Trust: You don’t learn from someone you don’t like—and you certainly won’t stick with a program you fear. If you’re growing up with a drill sergeant coach, you probably don’t want to be paired with a happy, cheerful, chatterbox coach. If you’re looking for someone with a little more tenderness (without being a baby), you might need something more in the middle. You must be both respectful and vigilant with your trainer.
And believe me, the coach wants the same. I cannot express how uncomfortable it is to train people who simply do not like my training style. While I pride myself on being adaptable, I also know that I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay.
What to look for: I’ll shout it from the rooftops until the day I die: The best exercise plan is the one you’ll come back to again and again. You really have to enjoy seeing your trainer every week (if you don’t, it can slow down your progress at best, or damage your relationship with exercise at worst).
Find someone whose style suits you. Ask if they prefer to conduct their sessions like a sergeant, a gentle parent, or somewhere in between. You can even do a little digging if you feel so inclined: find one of their current or former clients to get some intel on their style. Or, see if the trainer offers an introductory session to get a sneak peak at how they work. The good news is that many great trainers are able to develop their own methods based on how their clients learn best—you just need to find someone who can adapt.
How much will it cost – and what exactly is that price?
It sounds obvious, but it’s more important than a simple budget. While you don’t want personal training to cost an arm and a leg, you should also be wary of it costing too little. why? Because it’s probably not personal.
Low-cost training sometimes means you get a recycled program: the same template is used for everyone with similar goals or experience. And while some of the principles of training definitely hold true, you still want a plan that’s right for you: your injuries, preferences, goals, schedules, schedules, nutrition, and more.
What to look for: The cost of an hour-long training session will largely depend on where you are and the experience of the trainer. An inexperienced trainer in a small town may charge as low as $50 per session, and an experienced trainer in a populous city can run you up to $150+ per session.
You may also find trainers who sell their services based on the level of personalization. For example, my online clients pay based on how many accounts they choose. If they choose to be checked several times a week, they will pay a little more than people who I only check once a month.
However, if the price makes some sense too Well, rate it to make sure you get what you ask for. If you’re comfortable getting a recycled program for cheap as long as there’s support—I don’t blame you. Just make sure you get what you pay for.
How do you plan to follow my progress?
No matter what your goal, you’re hiring a coach to watch your progress—and their main job is to monitor what’s working, what’s not, and when to adjust.
There’s a lot that can be tracked: number of lifts, cardio speed, body composition and measurements, mobility, activity, energy levels, and injury recovery. All of these are important, but depending on your goals, some will be more useful than others.
What to look for: Find a coach who tracks progress in multiple ways—not just by numbers. why? Because a squat PR is only a success if it doesn’t ruin your knees, and body fat loss is only beneficial if you’re constantly tired, miserable, and not overtraining.
Ask the coach how They plan to follow the progress. What standards do they plan to use? How often do they plan to evaluate these metrics? How can you, as a customer, access these records? If they don’t have the answers to these questions, find someone who does.
How long do you expect it to take for me to reach my goals?
If someone promises you’ll have athletic arms next week, please don’t hire them. As much as we all want our goals to become reality as soon as possible as human beings, progress, anywhere in life, takes time, persistence and effort.
Be skeptical of marketing phrases like “lose weight fast” or “have the body of your dreams in a month.” These goals can happen over time, but meaningful, lasting change isn’t so quick – especially if nutrition is managed realistically.
What to look for: Progress happens at different speeds depending on training history—and a good coach will be honest about that. For example, if you’ve never stepped foot in the gym before, you might have some muscle in 4 to 6 weeks (provided you’re eating right and getting fit, of course!). However, if you’ve been lifting all your life, it may take you a few months to put on the same amount of mass. You may feel stronger and more confident in the gym within a few weeks, but physical changes happen relatively slowly.
Cori Ritchey, CSCS, is the fitness manager Women’s healthas well as a certified strength and conditioning coach and group fitness instructor. She has reported on health, nutrition, mental health, fitness, sex and relationships for several years. You can find more of her work here Men’s HealthHealthCentral, Livestrong, Self, and others.
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