Not All Trainers Are Created Equal

By Sean Burton

Contributing Writer

When it comes to needing a little extra help in achieving your fitness goals, the most common thing that anyone will tell you is, ”hire a trainer.” Even though your chances of success increase significantly when you take on a fitness professional, there are a few things you really want to consider before you starting writing big checks for a service that depends on maximum efficiency on both parties.

Don’t always base your judgment on looks alone.  Yes, I agree that your trainer needs to at least look like he/she works out and is in shape, but don’t mistake their physical capability for their educational capability. I’ve worked with many trainers who look the part but couldn’t correctly demonstrate proper form for a squat if their life depended on it. Be sure to do your research by asking the potential trainer questions before investing your money. Ask such things as:

1. How many years’ experience do you have?
2. What is your specialty?
3. How much weight do your clients lose per week on average?
4. What certifications do you currently hold and/or do you have a degree? If so, what is it in?
5. Do you have any testimonials that I can read?

It may seem mundane but if you are going to invest your hard earned money into someone, you need to make sure you are getting the value of every dollar back from your fitness professional.

Check with your spouse before beginning a fitness program with a professional. As ridiculous as it may sound, some people see a fitness professional as a threat to a relationship. For whatever reason, it is a significant enough issue to be discussed. During my career as a professional I have lost a few clients due to this issue. Avoid an unnecessary issue and make sure your spouse is in full support of you seeking professional help. Be it financially and emotionally.

Find a trainer that knows how to motivate you. We all respond to things differently. I am not considered a “Nice Trainer” because of my training style. I make clients work harder when they try to stall between sets or exercises and if they are late to a session they are rewarded with a session harder than what it would have been if they were on time. Let me put it to you like this, ”It is your money and I want it to work for you. We can talk after the session. Now it is time to work. So let’s work.”  Some people like to be motivated in a softer approach. Make sure whoever you hire knows how you respond. This will help the sessions become more efficient for the both of you.

The last part is more for the client than the trainer. Make sure you, the client, are ready to hire a trainer. A lot of trainers have a No Refund policy and in my experience, I have had some people invest a lot of money in me all at once and they had completely abandoned their training for whatever reason. Ask yourself, “Am I ready? Do I really want this? Am I ready to pay this amount of money and will it help me stick to the program and make a change for the better?” If you are ready, get to it immediately. If you have doubts, please wait on it until you know you are ready. It is one thing to spend money and it is another to spend a lot of money and not get the results you want.

Sean Burton

Health and Fitness has been a huge part of my life. My burdens as an overweight 10 year old drove me to be the fitness professional I am today. Now I have the experience, knowledge and talent to deliver results to all of my clientele and help everyone else in between. If nothing could stop me, nothing should be able to stop you.