如何选择你的私人教练

jacky

How to Choose A Personal Trainer: Five Essential Questions You Need to Ask
Are you frustrated with the results of your fitness efforts and ready seek out help from a qualified professional? If so, you're not alone. More and more, people are beginning to regard a personal trainer not as a luxury, but as a necessity. They are realizing that, without proper guidance and support, it is very difficult to create and carry out an effective exercise program. Exercise is a science that requires extensive knowledge and skill-a process that takes years to develop. By seeking the assistance of a qualified fitness professional, you can benefit from the knowledge and experience that he has acquired, optimizing your results. Unfortunately, finding a qualified trainer isn't that easy. Fact: Virtually anyone can hang a sign on their door and call himself a "fitness professional". At this time, there are no rules or regulations governing the personal training industry. While manicurists must be licensed, personal trainers do not! Who do you think could do more potential harm to a client? So how do you go about finding a trainer that is right for you? Open the Yellow Pages and pick the one with the biggest ad? Seek out the most muscular guy at the gym? Not! In addition to a substantial financial commitment, you'll invest a significant amount of time and effort into your personal training endeavors. Choose the wrong trainer and you'll ultimately get sub-par results. Worse, you could end up getting injured. Perhaps seriously. I've seen it happen time and again. Don't leave such an important decision to whim. By taking a systematic approach to the selection process, you can dramatically increase your odds in making the right decision. Here are five fundamental criteria to take into account: 1) Credentials. Of all the things to consider in choosing a trainer, this one is by far the most important. As noted, there currently is no licensure required to work as a personal trainer. Literally anyone who has ever set foot in a gym has a green light to dish out advice on the subject. This has led to an abundance of trainers who are unqualified to practice their craft. The best indicator of knowledge is the trainer's level of education. A college education in a related field is good. A masters degree is even better. Although higher education doesn't assure competence in personal training (I've met some graduate level kinesiologists who were clueless as to designing an individualized training routine), it at least assures that the trainer understands the rudiments of exercise physiology. Although not mandatory, the majority of competent trainers elect to become certified as a fitness professional. Certification requires passing a detailed written examination on exercise and fitness. There are dozens upon dozens of organizations that certify personal trainers, many of them not worth the paper they're written on. Fly-by-night certification programs literally hand out certificates to anyone willing to pay the requisite fee (a colleague of mine obtained a certification for his 9 year old son!). There are several reputable certification organizations that have achieved national accreditation, the most prominent being the National Strength and Conditioning (NSCA), the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Trainers who are NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) have to pass a particularly rigorous exam to become certified. Continuing education is another important aspect of a trainer's knowledge. Exercise is a rapidly evolving field. If a trainer doesn't stay on top of the research, he might well miss out on new, innovate ways to further your results. At my facility, Personal Training Center for Women, I rigorously screen potential trainers for their knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology, and then work on an ongoing basis to ensure they are up-to-date on the latest training-related information. Make sure you ask the prospective trainer both about his education as well as continuing education efforts. 2) Personality. Okay, you found a knowledgeable trainer. Ready to sign that client-trainer agreement? Not so fast. Knowledge alone doesn't make for a good fitness professional-he has to relate to the needs of each individual trainee. People have diverse personalities and a trainer must be able to adapt to these inherent differences. He must be able to sense when to be forceful and when to be compassionate, when to push for that extra rep and when to pull back. While some people respond to a hard-driving, militaristic style of training, others need to be gently prodded and coaxed for maximum results. Spend some time talking to the trainer and get a feel for his ability to communicate with you. As much as almost any other profession, trainers need to be good communicators to effectively perform their job. Ask direct questions about the style that he employs and determine whether the style fits your own personality. If you are not comfortable with the trainer's persona, there is a good probability that you will not be satisfied working with him on a professional level. 3) References. Any established trainer should be able to provide the names of several clients who can attest to his competence as a fitness professional. You should ask for the names of people who are about the same age and sex, and have similar fitness goals as yourself. This will ensure that you can accurately assess whether he is skilled in dealing with your particular needs. When you call the references, do not hesitate to ask any questions that you feel are pertinent in respect to the trainer. During your consultation, a trainer will likely be on his best behavior. You often can get a better insight into his aptitude by asking a client about such factors as temperament, knowledge, flexibility in scheduling, honesty, etc. Also, make sure to ask if the person is satisfied with the results that they have achieved. You would be surprised at how many people continue to visit the same trainer simply because it is inconvenient to switch! 4) Physique. Okay, this one has a few caveats, but body composition is something you should at least consider when choosing a trainer. This doesn't mean he has to be a buffed beefcake. On the contrary, some of the worst trainers I've seen are bodybuilders who have no clue about exercise science. They built their physiques on good genetics and good pharmacology, not solid training principles. But while it is true that someone with a great body is not always a capable trainer, you should look skeptically at a trainer who is significantly overweight or unfit. For one, a trainer who is out of shape does not serve as a positive fitness role model-something that any fitness pro should take to heart. For another, you need to question the knowledge and/or dedication of a fitness pro who doesn't practice what he preaches. If the trainer cannot achieve a satisfactory level of conditioning, you have to question his ability to help you achieve your goals. Now this doesn't always hold true. A trainer might be recovering from an illness or accident that curtailed his workout regimen. Or perhaps he's taking medication that impacts his physique. Unusual but certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Bottom line: Be skeptical of a trainer that doesn't look the part, but don't dismiss the chance that outside factors might be to blame. Keep an open mind provided the other aforementioned factors are in his favor. 5) Fees. Assuming you're not a descendant of the Rockefellers, the price of a trainer matters. Like any professional service, personal training isn't cheep. That said, fees can vary greatly, ranging from as little as about $35 per session and going as high as $150 per session or more. Do not be fooled into thinking that a low priced trainer is a bargain or that a high priced trainer has some magical formula for success. There are many things that will dictate fee structure including competition, location, reputation, etc. A very low priced trainer probably needs to keep fees low for a reason-usually because he simply is not a very good trainer and only can get clients based on price. Conversely, a very high priced trainer will often have exorbitant fees due to external factors (i.e. lack of competition, "celebrity" clientele, etc.)-not necessarily because he is better at his craft. Thus, when comparing fees, use discretion but don't be penny wise and dollar foolish. Remember that your time is money and your ultimate goal should be to get optimal results in the shortest period of time possible. There you have it! A systematic approach to choosing a qualified personal trainer. By taking these five key criteria into account, you will have the basis to make an intelligent decision as to whether a particular trainer is right for you. Remember that, individually, each one of the factors mentioned above should not determine whether a trainer is appropriate for your needs. Rather, evaluate them as a whole and your chances of enjoying a successful relationship with a trainer will be greatly enhanced.


By Brad Schoenfeld, CSCS, CPT
from lookgreatnaked website


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