As a registered Fitness Leader, the popular discussion of: “What makes a good Trainer?” “How should I chose one? and “How should I evaluate the one I have?” is just as important to me as to those thinking about hiring – or replacing – a Personal Trainer.

In business, success and financial reward depends on Reputation.

Personal training is my business and my reputation depends on the EXPERIENCE and the RESULTS that those who hire me achieve. I am in the business of motivating people to safely reach all of their S.M.A.R.T.* fitness goals. (*Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Relevant. Timely.)

I just read a great article at realjock.com that expressly addresses this topic… maybe better than I’ve ever seen written before.

“To sort out if your trainer is a match for you, take some time to think through the following five questions:

1. What is the trainer’s experience? Specifically what is their experience with my needs and wants, and with helping people reach my particular goals?
2. Does my trainer have certifications? If so, what are they in? If not, where does their experience come from?
3. Does this trainer ask me questions about myself? Does he assess any of my previous injuries? Does he ask about my own experiences? How well does he try to get to know me before we actually begin to train?
4. Does my trainer do the same things with me as with all the others? If so, can he explain why?
5. Does my trainer help me get better and feel good? Have I improved not just in my physical appearance, but my mental state as well?

“For many people, training is an excruciating time that feels closer to suffering than improving your health and wellness. If it wasn’t so tough everyone would be doing it themselves and obesity probably wouldn’t be the epidemic it’s considered to be today.

“But take any of those individuals that have achieved some measure of success and ask them how they feel about what they’ve done and the person that has helped them get there, and the response is usually the same: joy and a sense of pride in accomplishment.

“The most important aspect of a good trainer in my opinion, is how they make you feel at the end of the day.”

Doug at MyTrainerSays dot com