{"id":21030,"date":"2017-03-28T10:00:22","date_gmt":"2017-03-28T14:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.classpass.com\/?p=21030"},"modified":"2022-06-10T15:09:08","modified_gmt":"2022-06-10T19:09:08","slug":"how-to-choose-a-personal-trainer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.classpass.com\/how-to-choose-a-personal-trainer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Know if Your Trainer Is Right for You"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"compatible-trainer\"<\/p>\n

They’re the best workout buddy you could ask for! <\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

New classes can be a little intimidating. You either don\u2019t know where the locker rooms are or which door to use to enter class or what the instructor\u2019s name is\u2014and maybe even all three! And what\u2019s more intimidating is realizing in the middle of class that this exercise technique is just <\/span>not <\/span><\/i>for you. But never fear\u201430 minutes later it ends, you\u2019re out the door and you make a mental note to pick something different next time. But what happens if you get these feelings when you\u2019re with a personal trainer? <\/span><\/p>\n

Working one on one with someone comes with huge benefits. You\u2019ll receive individualized attention to perfect your form. Your trainer will make you stand accountable for every minute you\u2019re working with them, and they\u2019ll introduce you to new techniques you might not get in the classes you normally attend. But with so many trainers to choose from, how do you know which is the right pick for you? And what if you get the feeling that it isn\u2019t the perfect fit? <\/span>Helene Darmanin<\/span><\/a>, certified personal trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist and student physical therapist, shares her tips for choosing a trainer that fits your exercising needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask these questions upfront<\/b><\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to quiz your potential trainer a bit to get to know their style. Ask these right off the bat: What is your training philosophy? What kind of experience do you have? What are your qualifications? How do you stay current in the field? \u201cI regularly go to conferences and read current research to ensure I have the best information available,\u201d says Darmanin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember that hiring a trainer doesn\u2019t just require the instructor\u2019s time but your precious hours and money as well. If you have a special need or injury, ask them if they\u2019ve worked with someone with a similar need or feel confident doing so. \u201cI recently started working with a client who has a rare inflammatory condition, similar to rheumatoid arthritis. I had never heard of the condition before, but I did some research and got permission to contact my client\u2019s doctor and discuss applicable precautions,\u201d she explains. If the trainer is qualified and competent they will be able to accommodate most needs based on their knowledge and additional research.<\/p>\n

Expect this from your trainer<\/b><\/h3>\n

A good trainer should include you and guide you when setting goals. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire or perform some movement testing to gauge your starting point. But your trainer should help you come up with realistic goals, and you should see progress towards those goals if you stick with the plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

During a training session, a good instructor will also ask you to step outside of your comfort zone in order to make progress. You should feel safe to do so with them if you\u2019re a good fit. Darmanin says learning new movement patterns, pushing beyond your boundaries and moving in new directions are all beneficial, satisfying and important for meeting your goals.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll know it\u2019s the right fit if…<\/b><\/h3>\n

You feel happy, satisfied and accomplished at the end of each of your sessions, whatever that means to you. Research has shown the many benefits to exercising, not only physical improvements but mental boosts including those happy endorphins we always hear about. You\u2019re much more likely to stick with something that makes you happy, and that involves working with a trainer that gets you to that point. <\/span><\/p>\n

Your trainer should also show flexibility in your needs or goals, such as injury, illness, fatigue, mood and the rest of your life. When Darmanin\u2019s clients go on vacation, she writes a program for them to practice while they\u2019re gone. If they\u2019re having a bad day, she may decide whether they should sweat it out or take it easy. \u201cA good trainer will be able to change their plan to fit where you are that day,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll know it\u2019s <\/b>not <\/i><\/b>the right fit if…<\/b><\/h3>\n

You ever feel uncomfortable. You should always feel safe and supported during a training session. Other signs might include if you\u2019re not making progress or don\u2019t feel good about yourself. Some trainers like to speak negatively to their clients to motivate them, and if that works for you, great. But if not, that shouldn\u2019t be happening. You shouldn\u2019t feel ashamed, negative or judged, says Darmanin. <\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, you shouldn\u2019t feel guilted into signing up with a certain trainer. \u201cTrainers do have to make sales to keep themselves afloat, but their abilities should speak for themselves,\u201d she explains. \u201cIf they have to drive a hard sale, and you\u2019re not happy with the pressure, just walk away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Your trainer wishes you knew that…<\/b><\/h3>\n

Spot training doesn\u2019t work-, meaning you can\u2019t make your stomach flat by doing crunches all day. The way our bodies store fat is mostly genetic, so although muscle helps keep things tight, there could still be a layer of fat over it–and that\u2019s natural and normal, Darmanin says. So, if you\u2019re working with a trainer and don\u2019t end up with washboard abs or perfectly sculpted arms it\u2019s not a reflection of their training abilities. It\u2019s just the way you\u2019re built!<\/span><\/p>\n

And if you think you\u2019re just not ready for a trainer…<\/b><\/h3>\n

Think again! There\u2019s always something new to learn, and checking in with a professional can help make your workouts more efficient, effective, and enjoyable! \u201cWe can help you prevent injuries and illnesses and hold you accountable to working out,\u201d explains Darmanin, \u201cwhich makes it worth the investment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

They’re the best workout buddy you could ask for! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23469,"featured_media":21106,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[583],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fitness-tips-class-recommendations-and-more"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Know if Your Trainer Is Right for You - ClassPass Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.classpass.com\/how-to-choose-a-personal-trainer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Know if Your Trainer Is Right for You - 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