Finding A PT

A qualified personal trainer will help you achieve your fitness goals safely. A good PT will instruct, motivate and, above all, help you discover the physical and mental benefits of realistic improvements to your health. Here’s a list of things to take into account to help you choose the right fitness professional for you.

Safety first! If you haven’t exercised regularly for a long time, and/or are aged over 40, and/or are especially out of shape, and/or have any health problems, consult your GP before commencing any new fitness program.

 

A PT is a pro

When looking for a fitness professional, make sure they actually are professional. A qualified PT should have a Certificate IV in Fitness at a minimum. Higher qualifications may include a Diploma of Fitness or a degree in a health or exercise/movement-related discipline from a university. Registration with professional health or fitness organisations is also something to look out for as such accreditation bodies will often have minimum member education requirements.

Formal qualifications aside, you should also take into account a PT’s practical experience. A newly-qualified PT is not necessarily a person to avoid – everyone has to start somewhere – but you may feel more comfortable having your progress overseen by someone who’s had a number of years of day-to-day experience under their belt. Many PTs will feel comfortable providing a few existing clients as referees.

 

A PT is an investment

Personal trainers may cost anywhere from $40 per hour to $100+, so their help comes at a price. As with all investments – in this case, in your health – it is in your best interests to weigh up the costs and benefits over medium-to-long-term timeframe, even if you’re only looking for short-term guidance initially. Do your research carefully to ensure the trainers you’re considering are within your budget on an ongoing basis, just in case. You don’t want to set yourself back down the track just because you can’t afford to keep up a routine with them that you probably worked very hard to establish for yourself.

Other practical financial considerations include payment arrangements (upfront in advance or per training session), discounts for multi-session packs, whether they have cancellation fees or other ad hoc charges, and whether they offer a free or discounted introductory lesson for you to try them out before you commit to a longer-term arrangement.

 

You have a schedule – so does your PT

Good PTs often have busy schedules so it’s vital to ensure theirs will suit yours. Due to existing client commitments or various personal reasons, some trainers may not be available on days or at times when you need them. Make sure you work out what your own availabilities are and then double-check that your preferred PT will be able to accommodate you.

You may want to avoid trainers who are so busy that you have to be “squeezed in” unless they are especially well-regarded. In the long run, it may mean you have difficulty securing the trainer as often as you’d like, or they may be too time-challenged to manage/monitor your progress as proactively as you want or expect them to.

 

Know what you want

Everyone’s idea of working out is a little different. Some people want to get fit with weights, others like the idea of CrossFit or similar types of functional training; others still may prefer MMA, aerial training or other specialised exercise forms. Whatever your preference, make sure the trainer you choose knows what they’re doing. Although they may be “generally” qualified as a PT, you may feel more confident knowing that they have professional experience, or at least a personal interest, in the specific fitness niche you are seeking guidance in.

 

A PT has personality – or should

A professional PT is not your friend (although they may certainly become one). At a minimum, however, you should still like them and feel comfortable around them. There is no way to accredit personal chemistry, so the only way to work out if you’re a match is to talk to them.

A responsible, business-minded PT will always make time to chat to new clients and answer any questions or concerns they have. If a trainer seems impatient or disinterested, they may be too busy with existing commitments or they may not be the right match for you. Remember, you are reaching out to them for expert guidance and you’ll be asking plenty of questions on an ongoing basis; if they don’t seem like a good listener from the outset, it’s unlikely you’ll get many useful answers in the long run.

Also take into account the sort of trainer you’re after. Do you have your heart set on a gentle, patient nurturer or do you want someone scary to scream in your face as you squeeze out one last, agonizing rep? Either of these two extremes (or anywhere in between) may sound horrible to you, depending on your own personality, so make sure you’re matching up with someone you’re not going to end up trying to avoid.

 

Where to find a PT

A good starting place to find a PT is recommendations from friends, co-workers or family. However, it’s also wise to cast your net wider when shortlisting candidates. So check your gym (or prospective gyms) for possibilities, too. It may also be a good idea to reach out to a professional body such as Fitness Australia for a list of registered trainers in your area. In some cases, a trainer’s reputation may precede them and you may seek them out having heard good things about them. In this situation, make sure you get to know them well enough beforehand to convince yourself the reputation is a deserved one!

 

Warning signs

There’s no definitive list of warning signs for a “bad” PT, but things to watch out for initially are:

1. Lack of verifiable qualifications, experience or willing referees;
2. Pushy sales tactics or offering pricey supplements/diet aids as part of a “package” you don’t want;
3. They make you feel uncomfortable;
4. They don’t conduct a health screening/assessment before starting a training program with you.

On an ongoing basis, you may want re-evaluate your relationship with your trainer if:

1. Their suggested training program seems dangerous or excessive to you;
2. They don’t listen to your needs and only do what they want to;
3. You feel intimidated by them or their methods;
4. They are regularly unreliable (missing or late for appointments), constantly unavailable (can’t give you any appointments due to too many existing clients, or personal reasons) or just plain uncontactable.

 

The right fit for your fitness

Never be afraid to change trainers if you feel your existing one is not meeting your needs or expectations. Your PT may not necessarily be a poor trainer; they just might not be the right one for you. However, by carefully researching and considering your options beforehand and asking pertinent questions before making a decision, you’ll be more likely to choose a professional who’s exactly the right fit for you.