Personal training was once a luxury only celebrities, fashion models and the wealthy could afford.
Now, as more than 5 million Americans a year work out regularly with a personal trainer, exercise under the tutelage of a fitness professional has become much more common.
And sometimes more dangerous, if you don’t choose someone who is qualified.
With everyone from barely qualified gym rats to multi-degreed and certified professionals calling themselves “trainers,” it can be hard to separate the good from the bad. There are hundreds of organizations that will grant training credentials. Only a half-dozen or so have the respect of the real pros, such as the American Council on Exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Organization.
And with your health and fitness at stake, it’s important to work with a trainer who is a good fit for your personality, budget and special needs, such as an injury or an illness.
“I look around at the gym sometimes and I can’t believe the things I see,” said Tamilee Webb, a fitness professional known for her “Buns of Steel” and “I Want that Body” videos.
Webb, who has a master’s degree in exercise science, said it is important to look beyond a trainer’s body to assess whether he or she is qualified to train you. “They may be great to look at, but the only person they may be good at really training is themselves,” Webb said.
Trainer checklist
Before forking out money for a personal trainer, keep this in mind:
Credentials matter: Ask a doctor for referrals if you have medical conditions that require care.
Set goals: Develop specific, realistic goals with your trainer and make a plan for meeting them.
Check your ability: Make sure your trainer does some sort of basic health assessment before you lift a single barbell.
