Want to get a trainer, what should I ask in my interview?

jadedone · March 2012

So I decided I'd like to do a few sessions with a trainer to develop a couple of strength training routines.

I decided to skip the ones at my gym, since I know generally speaking they are going to steer me over to the machines and not the weights, and my gym is so crowded it would be nice to be in a smaller space with more one on one attention.

So I found a few options on Yelp in my neighborhood or the adjacent ones and I am planning to setup a few consultations in the next few weeks to get started.

I have tried the trainer thing once, and did 5 sessions with a Crossfit guy. I did learn some good stuff, but then I got too busy and don't think I really "clicked" with him. But I have kept in mind some other workouts and ideas.

My questions:
1. If you have a trainer, how do you use him or her?
2. What are good qualifying questions to ask?
3. What's a red flag?
4. Do you use trainers are your gym or a specialty one?
5. How often do you go if you do?

jaxxie · March 2012

Hey There

I had one and he was the one from my gym, but I had to pay extra (above reg. gym fees). I did 3 30min/week with him and then 2x/week on my own. It got old pretty quick, as we did the same things since my gym is fairly small. Make sure you ask what his hours are so that they fit to your schedule and not the other way around...you are the one paying him. Have you checked with your gym yet? Best of luck in your quest!!!

delilah47 · March 2012

Bump

Interested in the replies you get.

Good luck!

Temple_Fit · March 2012

bump! I'm looking for a trainer as well.

mammothdoll · March 2012

bump

petrocoetsee · March 2012

I am also considering doing this, so I am also interested in the answers

pwsnook · March 2012

It's hard to find a good trainer, but I finally found one! She is not affiliated with a gym and meets with her clients at her home studio, in their homes, or in a studio space she shares with other trainers. I workout with her 2 to 3 times a week. What I like about her is that she is non-judgmental and she uses a whole-life approach. More important, she adapts to her client's needs and personalities, yet stays tough so we all reach our goals. A plus is that she is creative, so no workout is the same and I never get bored! We do a lot of cross fit, with fill in aerobic conditioning and strength training. I hadn't worked out significantly for nearly five years and I've been with her now for about six months. I can feel such a difference in my core strength, my endurance, and my overall sense of fitness. My trainer and most of her clients are on myfitnesspal.com and we share our progress and provide support to each other. Good luck with your search. If you find someone like mine, it's worth every penny!

froeschli · March 2012

I used to go to a smallish gym and the owner himself actually showed me how to use everything, went over a routine with me and even advised me on a meal plan. Then I was left to myself, but did another round with him every so often to check on progress and alternative exercises.
I really liked that. and it was just a few doors down the road from my place, so I could even walk home to shower. Now I am debating on whether it's worth taking out a membership again or not, from the sounds I won't find another gym like that one again...

pwsnook · March 2012

To add to my initial post, I would ask some of the following questions:

1. what are your credentials and training
2. what is your philosophy or approach to training
3. what will a typical workout look like
4. how will you keep track of my progress, how will you know when to increase the intensity of my workouts
5. will you help me stay on track when I am discouraged or tired
6. is this your primary career path or a side job
7. what are your goals when working with a client, how do you measure them
8. will you help me develop a home-based workout I can do between our sessions

rightaboutnow · March 2012

My husband & I hired a trainer & are in our second week. We looked on Craig's list & interviewed three people via email to discuss personal styles. What was important to us was someone who was realistic as my husband & I haven't worked out in a long time, sensitive to our injuries (torn calf muscle & car accident), and someone who would set realistic goals, encourage & push us to go beyond our limits. We live in Vancouver & LOVE our trainer. What is great about him is that he believes good health is 80% diet & 20% gym, so he's determined calories & % of fat, protein & carbs that we should have daily & advised us to stay away from processed foods, artificial sweeteners, & margarine. Ideally we should have 3 weekly workouts with him so we can work on a body part a work out, however we do 2 workouts - just weights, & on our own 2 cardio. Our trainer pushes weights as you burn more calories & for longer, I like the balance of cardio though. I also appreciate that he checks our diet after every workout & offers tips of different foods & recipes. He also checks in via email between work outs to see how we're doing & if we have any questions to contact him. In regards to red flags, ensure they are qualified & what credentials & experience & ask for references. Its all about fit for your style & a balance between all of the above. If you don't like your trainer, better to find a new one than to quit. As of today I'm 242.2 & in two weeks I've lost 10 pounds, of course this is mostly water, however it feels great!

In summary, he seems to care about our total well being & not just the 1 hour he's working with us. If you're in Vancouver or North Van, let me know & I can send you his contact info.

Good luck & kudos to you for reaching out to a trainer to improve your health!

Petra

seansquared · March 2012

#1 red flag is anyone thinking training > nutrition. That being said I'd have the following questions:

* What's your philosophy on nutrition?
-- if it's not "you should eat lean meats and vegetables and ditch the majority of carbs" and if the macro breakdown involves any more carbs than 25%, ask for another trainer. Ignore their protests, just ask for another trainer. Note Carbs are NOT evil or bad, they're fantastic - FOR WHAT THEY DO, which is shuttling protein into muscle repair and they should be treated as such (instead of being treated as food for consumption 24/7).

* What certifications do you have and how long have you held them?
-- you want several years, in my opinion, and they should also be an avid student of nutrition since that's 80% of the work right there.

* Do you have 3 references from other clients and can you get me in touch with them?
-- if this is anything other than "yes", run.

I'm sure I have more but... that's a start.

tania_raumati · March 2012

Hi!
I've had a trainer for over a year now.
There are lots of things that are good credentials.. but what do we want a trainer for really? In my opinion it's to drive you to do better, work harder than you would on your own and get better results. Simple as that.
So - to me you need three things - to get along very well with them (have a great rapport), know they are going to challenge you and change the routine, and that they will PUSH you and make you do those three more sit ups (or whatever) when you think you are going to pass out. OK that's four lol.
Hope that helps.
My trainer is simply an awesome person and I admire her stamina. She's fun to be around and we laugh a lot : ) And I have MUCH more muscle and stamina than ever before, and I'm 45!
Hope that helps.

jody664 · March 2012

You've got some good advice here already. I work out with a trainer a few times a week. He used to work at my gym but then struck out on his own and I followed him. During our initial meeting, he asked A LOT of questions......what were my goals? where did I see my fitness level being in 3 months, 6 months, 12 months? what types of activities do I like? what have ben my barriers to fitness so far? I liked that. He listened and helped me further articulate my goals.

Then we had our first session. He seemed to know instinctively the type of encouragement I would respond best to. We just seemed to click.

The best advice I can give you is that, because you're going to pay a lot of money (at least in my opinion it's a stretch financially for me), this time should be ALL ABOUT YOU.

A few red flags?
- constantly checking cell phone / taking calls while you are working out / not paying attention
- constantly changing workout times (i.e., "hey, I know we said 3pm.....could we make it 4?")
- lack of a written plan

Another thing to consider, this person is going to know A LOT of very personal information about you (your weight and measurements for sure, possibly your diet, your fitness level or lack thereof). He / She is at times going to see you at your worst......frustrated, maybe emotional, hacked off. All that to say, it's a little like choosing a psychiatrist......you have to feel very comfortable talking to and sharing with that person.

Hope you find someone you trust and like. Personally I don't think I would be working nearly as hard on my own and thoroughly enjoy working with my trainer. He's become a good friend as well.

jadedone · March 2012

Thanks everyone for the great tips!

ArroganceInStep · March 2012

All that to say, it's a little like choosing a psychiatrist......you have to feel very comfortable talking to and sharing with that person.

This.

The only thing I have to add above and beyond what folks are saying is that you should find a trainer who can mirror your own personal goals. I tend to think that people who begin searching for trainers with some background knowledge/research under their belts will be much more successful at finding a trainer that works well with them. Have an idea of what you're looking for, so that when you begin vetting potential candidates you're able to communicate that with them.

Nopedotjpeg · March 2012

Ask for their qualifications and how long they've been training. Tell them your goals, and ask about a general idea of how they would train you to meet those goals. Also, with the credentials, I would definitely look for a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

n25philly · March 2012

Want to get a trainer, what should I ask in my interview?

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