Looking into hiring a personal trainer

Let me start by saying, This isn't a knock on HIIT or personal trainers- I know plenty of people on here who have had a lot of success with HIIT and/or hiring a personal trainer, I'm just either unclear on what I should expect from a personal trainer, and am frustrated that I can't seem to get the kind of help I'm looking for.

I've had a difficult issue with personal trainers, but I'm looking into getting one again. I'm mostly interested in developing a routine of sorts that includes a balance of cardio and strength training. I have a couple of injuries that I'd like to work around/rebuild strength around, but am otherwise fairly flexible and mobile. My issue is that any trainer I've tried to work with has insisted that I do HIIT, (and a couple have urged that I go on a diet of canned tuna fish and brown rice??). Is this a typical kind of thing? I don't feel like I'm being listened to- I'd like to develop a 60 minute workout- 30 cardio/30 strength with a different focus for strength training each session, and I'm told that isn't something that trainers do and that it's the least effective form of exercise so they can't in good conscience support that and that HIIT is THE only way to go if I'm trying to lose weight. My argument is that I really can't afford to get injured and I'm not comfortable with taking on that risk, effective as it might have the potential to be. It surprises me though when a trainer's bio specifically states that they work with clients to develop a balanced approach to exercise and diet that there wouldn't be more flexibility around client need or preference.

Am I looking in the wrong place- do I need a life coach or some other coach instead? I know a lot of people have had success with HIIT, but my thinking is that if I develop exercise routines that I actually enjoy that I'm more likely to stick with them. My few times doing HIIT-like workouts have not been enjoyable, in fact, I've dreaded going to them. I've had a fair amount of success with running and doing some weight lifting and would just like to fine tune some of the weights I do in order to make sure I have good form, to add some that are perhaps more effective/safer/etc., and to develop some solid routines so that I'm not wandering around the gym trying to decide which weights to lift and wasting time.

I'd really like to know or hear about any methods other than HIIT that trainers might use and where to find them, and/or if there are any good apps out there that might work in place of a personal trainer if there isn't going to be a way to get around the HIIT thing. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

As a personal trainer, I know there are a lot of those types of trainers out there. Some people are stuck in their mindset and insist that there is only one way to do something. Here's what I would do:

1. If you have access to a gym with trainers, or know how to contact a private trainer, do some interviewing. I view starting with a new client as a job interview. Ask them questions about what their style is and how they would get you to your goal. Every trainer should be able to draw a map from where you're starting out to your goal. Ask them what their path would involve and ask if they will adapt their training program to your needs.

2. Make your goals and expectations clear, and prioritize them. Tell the trainer you would like to lose weight, but really want to focus on good form and learning how to do strength training. I do primarily strength training with my clients in-session, and advise them on the cardio to do on their own. Also, as a trainer, I make sure to explain to my clients that with strength training alone, the weight will not come off immediately, but you will get stronger, lose inches, and have more energy. Once you have developed the baseline strength and established a habit, then you can focus on the weight loss.

3. HIIT is not best for all people, especially those who are concerned about injury. A trainer who followed the American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines should know that the order for increasing exercise effectiveness is FREQUENCY, TIME, then INTENSITY last. Find a trainer who will give you a plan for gradually becoming more active more days of the week. They should then focus on increasing your endurance, helping you work out for longer periods of time [I sometimes use moderate intensity intervals to help my clients gradually increase their workout time]. Once you have a consistent program working out 2-4 times a week, at least 20-30 minutes each session, THEN you will be ready for gradually increasing the intensity and incorporating intervals.

Good luck finding a trainer! Remember, as the client, you have the choice of who you hire. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions and get your trainer's reasons for doing something. If it makes sense, go with it, but if the trainer refuses to listen to your needs, they are not the trainer for you.

Does anyone know much about ACSM and what kind of education the trainers receive? Most of the Anytime Fitness trainers in my area have been certified through them, but I wasn't sure if there was a specific personal training program they are taught to use (such as HIIT) or is it more thorough than that? I wasn't sure if there are specific schools or programs that are more reputable than others, and if so, which ones those are.