Hiring a trainer...what to ask

ccollier302

Today, I will be having a consultation with a fitness trainer to help me get started with bodybuilding. Although, I don't plan to compete, I want to make sure I have proper form and nutrition to get started. My goal is to work with the trainer for a few months until I get comfortable and then only revisit a trainer periodically (TBD). Are there certain things I need to ask the trainer prior to beginning our workouts. I do know to ask for any of his certifications and have done research on the certifications he has listed. Anything else?

Thanks!

rybo

Certs are good,but aren't the end all be all. I'd ask of they have experience training people for body building. Be clear with them about your goals too.

socalrunner59

My son is a trainer and he tells me most have little or no education. He said the certification is a joke, a simple test that they practically feed you the answers to in the prep class to ensure you pass.

I've hired personal trainers three times. First and foremost for me is a college degree in some area of physiology or kinesiology, or even health science. A trainer needs some knowledge of human biology and movement. Second is area of expertise. My son is an excellent trainer, but his area of expertise is powerlifting. Before he got into powerlifting, he was a runner. But running isn't his area of focus. I'm a runner, so I won't even hire my son because he doesn't have the expertise to train me.