Tania Tetrault Vrga
An insider’s guide to finding the perfect trainer
Have you ever wished you could have an insider’s look at the fitness industry? Wondered how to know if a personal trainer is worth the investment? I’ve been at it for a dozen years, and I’ve taught many trainers, so today I’d like to give you a few pointers on finding your perfect trainer.
The first is that they have experience working with people with similar goals to yours and that they can relate to your life situation. Over the years, I’ve found that most fitness professionals and trainers fall into one of two categories. On the one hand, there are athletes and former athletes who get very excited about high level training and performance. They love pushing limits, and their clients. They usually possess a high level of technical knowledge. Secondly, we have trainers who have undergone a transformation themselves. They aren’t necessarily great athletes themselves, but perhaps they lost a lot of weight and learned to love their bodies. Perhaps they overcame a health crisis, and now they want to pay it forward by helping others. These are often supportive coaches with superior knowledge of nutrition and lifestyle factors involved in health and fitness. There are trainers who share both traits, but the point is that when you are looking for a trainer, ask about their origin story. Ask them why they do what they do and make sure that it fits with your goals. Don’t be afraid to ask for references or testimonials from other clients like you.
Second, look for professionalism. How do they present themselves? How are they are dressed? Most reputable gyms have a uniform, a sign that they value consistency and standard of service. Next, what kind of language do they use? Are they respectful and knowledgeable, or do they complain and demean other trainers? Check out their social media accounts; real pros are never off duty. Professionals also know their worth. Are they able to tell you their pricing with full confidence that you will get your money’s worth and more. If the trainer seems more worried about pricing than getting you results, they might not yet have the confidence to know what they are worth.
Last on our list is the ability to customize the program to your goals, or to refer you to someone who is a better fit for the job. A good indication that a fit pro has this ability is that they conduct some kind of screening or assessment, in order to better understand your needs and opportunities. It’s common for trainers to take a weekend course and get so excited about it that we try to apply that same program or tool to every client. What you really need is someone whose goal is to help first, to conduct an impartial analysis, and build a plan that will fit your needs, regardless of whether you buy their services. The most experienced trainers know that they don’t have to be everything to everyone, and they don’t hesitate to refer a client out to someone who is a better fit for that client.