If you need motivation to work out or are trying to get over a training hump, a personal trainer can help. He or she can evaluate your abilities and goals and create a program that works for you, while providing some guidance and accountability. (Think about it: Who wants to waste time in the gym if you’re paying extra for it?)
But if you just got a trainer or are in the market for one, beware. There are a few telltale signs that point to lack of experience—and recognizing them can help you maximize your results (and money) while avoiding frustration and injury. Click through to find out what they are.
As personal trainer Mike Duffy puts it, “Many trainers do not have any nutritional training yet give out nutritional advice as though they’re an expert.” So unless he can prove he’s qualified (think: credentials), be wary of a trainer who is pushing you hard on tons of energy drinks, supplements, or shakes. A good trainer won’t step up as a nutrition authority unless he actually is—he’ll simply encourage you to find what works for you or share his personal experiences, saying things like, “This is what does it for me.”
Every body and mind is different, meaning to reach your goal—whether that’s running a marathon or looking cut—you need a plan personalized to you. “An experienced trainer will constantly ask questions to delve deep into what the client wants to get out of the exercise program,” says Duffy. So if you see hear trainer telling a few different people to do similar workouts, it’s not a good sign. In short: “If a trainer doesn’t assess you from the start, don’t hire him,” says Greg Robins, a strength and conditioning coach at Cressey Performance in Hudson, MA.
