Shift Fitness: January 2011

This afternoon, in between house chores and baby-squats (see below), I was planning on writing about one of my role models and a legend in the health and fitness industry. Jack Lelanne. He passed away this week at the ripe young age of 96. There is a lot we can all learn from him, still.

Instead, I'd like to focus on a topic that I think about very often. It is one of the reasons I often don't like to refer to myself as a personal trainer. It is a case of "One bad apple can spoil the whole $%#* bunch". I got this email from a great local fitness professional, Anthony Carey, about an observation of professionalism. To read this great blog click HERE.

Are any of these what do you think of when you hear "Personal Trainer"?

Brad Pitt in "Burn After Reading"

Finding the right personal trainer that will help you achieve your goals is crucial. Here are some things I would recommend you look for when choosing a personal trainer. Remember: Having everything listed below isn't necessary. What is important is feeling confident in knowing that you have found the right person who is capable and passionate about helping you.

Certification. There are over 400 organizations that "certify" personal trainers. The better organizations require a good mix of education and practical experience. Try to look for a trainer with a certification from the National Strength & Conditioning Assoc. (NSCA), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), or the American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Education. A degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Physical Therapy, Nutrition or other health related field goes a long way in showing how knowledgeable a trainer is.
CPR & Liability Insurance. Having current CPR and some form of liability insurance shows to me that a trainer is professional and does this as a career and not a part-time job.
Experience. This is a tricky one. While 15 years of experience can be good, we all start with 0 experience. If your trainer has little experience, make sure they make up for it in other ways, i.e. college education, certifications, etc.) If your trainer has 15 years of experience, make sure that they are not just going through the motions and are just looking to make $$$ off of you.
Recommendations. Having testimonials from other clients shows that a trainer is both likable and successful. Just make sure that these recommendations aren't from his wife or good friends trying to make him look good.
Compatibility. Just as important as education and experience is compatibility. You have to be able to get along with your trainer and feel motivated by them. If not, I am pretty positive you two will not be working together for too long. There have been times where a client and I have not meshed very well. It was not for a lack of trying by both parties. In the end, our personalities were not compatible. As a professional, I was more than happy to help the client find another trainer that they got along great with.