Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming athletic event or merely wanting some assistance with overcoming a plateau to achieve your fitness goals, you’ll probably want to know how to find the best personal trainer possible – one who will not only put your needs first and consider your health to be of paramount importance, but also be reliable and has industry-specific knowledge and education. Toward that end, it can be worthwhile to confirm that a personal trainer is certified; however, certification alone isn’t the only criterion that your trainer should satisfy. To save yourself time, money, and frustration, you’ll want to take into consideration the following tips for spotting an inexperienced – and therefore likely ineffective – personal trainer.
They Practice Body Shaming
Unfortunately, body shaming is on the rise, so if your trainer is known for making people hate their bodies, you should look for someone else. Another red flag? If you find a trainer who uses negativity and claims that it is motivational, think twice before deciding to work with him or her. While many trainers have adopted a no-nonsense approach to training, the effect of such an approach should not be to make clients feel worse. A trainer who resorts to body shaming is bad not only in the short term, but also potentially in the long term, as this type of negativity can impact clients for years to come.
They Rely Solely on HIIT
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) refers to the practice of exercising for relatively short periods at high intensity, followed by a break, and then repeating the process for a specified number of repetitions. While HIIT has its place in training, it can also lead to injury if overused or otherwise applied improperly.
Unfortunately, inexperienced trainers often resort to this type of training at the expense of various types of aerobic activities, resulting in, among other things, fatigue and pain for their clients. Avoid trainers who refuse to consider other modes of training.
They’re Unconcerned with Educating Their Clients
Toward the end of helping you achieve your fitness goals (how ever you’ve defined those), your trainer should make sure that you execute all of your activities correctly. If you find that they cannot or will not inform you about why you are doing what you are doing and otherwise educate you, you should consider looking for another trainer.
Ideally, a good trainer will be able to recommend books, videos, and other resources that will enhance performance. They should also be committed to developing their own knowledge and skills.
They’re Hypercritical
If your trainer constantly complains or, worse, yells at you while you are working hard and trying your best to get healthier, find someone focused on the client rather than continue to take the abuse. Regular complaints and temper tantrums are signs of inexperience and will likely be ineffective at helping you achieve your fitness goals.
They Don’t Take Measurements to Gauge Progress
Measurements are an essential part of getting healthy. If you are not keeping track of your measurements, it will be harder to see your progress, especially if you rely on the scale. This is a journey and a process, and even the most inexperienced trainer should be taking client measurements to gauge progress.
Another reason that taking measurements is important is so that people go to the gym with specific goals in mind. Remember, progress is more than a photo at the beginning and the end. The journey matters just as much.
They Fail to Get Results for Their Clients
One of the main reasons people look for a trainer is to get results that they could not have achieved on their own. If a trainer is not results-driven, this will be the most significant indication that you need to pursue your goals elsewhere.
As you progress through your training program and continue to follow your trainer’s recommendations, you will need to understand why you are not feeling healthier or leaner. Have you been doing strength workouts and not feeling your body respond? If so, your trainer needs to be able to account for this and, if necessary, work with you to revise your routine.
Find the Right Trainer
Fitness is a serious, lifelong endeavor, and when you are actively trying to improve your life, the last thing you need is someone who puts your needs behind theirs. Use these tips as you search for a personal trainer who can help you achieve your fitness goals effectively.