Considering Some Lifting--What to Look For in a Trainer?

Annerk1
Annerk1 Posts: 372 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm considering adding lifting to my exercise routine probably 20-30 minutes 2-3 days a week. Considering a previous shoulder injury that still bothers me now and then, and back surgery 15 years ago, I don't want to risk injury by starting this type of training without some expert advice.

I'm meeting with a potential trainer this weekend. What types of questions should I have for him? What should he be asking me?

Replies

  • Annerk1
    Annerk1 Posts: 372 Member
    A little bump...
  • socioseguro
    socioseguro Posts: 1,679 Member
    I first observe the trainer with other trainees. Does s(he) monitor the student form and correct ? .
    Talk with some of the trainees about their training experience.

    I invited my prospective trainer for lunch and ask him for his credentials, certification and his training philosophy. I share my health goals.

    I prefer to share information on a neutral environment, outside the gym where everybody else is listening to your conversation.I am recovering from 3 leg surgeries, so I wanted to keep that information private.

    I also wanted to define communication medium (phone, text, email). Hours and session cancelation procedures.

    Good luck in your journey
  • baptiste565
    baptiste565 Posts: 590 Member
    is he or she in shape, gotta practice what u preach
  • jody664
    jody664 Posts: 397 Member
    I would ask VERY specific questions and pay attention to his/her answers. Such as:

    1) I have a previous shoulder injury and back surgery and am worried about reinjury. What types of exercises and routines would you have me doing? (At this point, the trainer *should* ask for more details about your history and be taking some good notes!)

    2) I would be as specific as you can about your goals (such as, "I want to lose XX lb," or "I want to run a marathon next year," or "I want to work on my balance") and then ask the trainer what type of program s/he would design to meet those goals.

    3) Lastly, I would ask about his/her background, experience, education. I would also ask about his/her clientele. I know my current trainer trains a lot of younger women (20s-30s) and that I'm a lot older than that. I wanted to know what type of program he'd have me do based on my age.

    I've had 3 great trainers in the past, and one really crappy one. The crappy one just didn't seem to remember from session to session what my goals were and kept throwing exercises at me that weren't in line with my goals. I've found that the better I am able to articulate my goals, the better chance the PT will design a program to meet them.

    I hope that helps. (And I hope some of the personal trainers on this board will jump in with some more/better suggestions for you.)
  • Annerk1
    Annerk1 Posts: 372 Member
    Great replies so far. A little more info.

    I already practice yoga (generally 30-45 minutes a day) and power/speed walk (five miles a day).

    I don't have any particular "goals" as I have no desire to do a marathon and regularly walk 13.1 so doing a half isn't really a challenge. I'm mostly looking for something to supplement the yoga for my upper body. I don't have any desire to get into heavy lifting. I want a light to moderate routine to do 20-30 minutes 2-3 times a week. I'm not looking to build any sort of bulk, I just want some increased strength and tone.
  • jody664
    jody664 Posts: 397 Member
    I don't have any particular "goals" as I have no desire to do a marathon and regularly walk 13.1 so doing a half isn't really a challenge. I'm mostly looking for something to supplement the yoga for my upper body. I don't have any desire to get into heavy lifting. I want a light to moderate routine to do 20-30 minutes 2-3 times a week. I'm not looking to build any sort of bulk, I just want some increased strength and tone.
    I would tell him/her exactly this. ^^ A good trainer will also help you define and refine your goals. For example, my trainer asked me "whose body type do you admire?" I hadn't really thought about it, but Michelle Obama's upper body came to mind.

    (P.S. Hoping someone else chimes in here with better suggestions!!)
  • Annerk1
    Annerk1 Posts: 372 Member
    I would tell him/her exactly this. ^^ A good trainer will also help you define and refine your goals. For example, my trainer asked me "whose body type do you admire?" I hadn't really thought about it, but Michelle Obama's upper body came to mind.

    (P.S. Hoping someone else chimes in here with better suggestions!!)

    Jennifer Aniston for me. :)

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