This checklist will go a long way in helping you make a decision
on which prospective personal trainer you should employ. Listed
below are 6 points to consider before buying the services of
any UK personal trainer.
1. Qualifications and insurance.
2. Experience
3. Health screening
4. Cost
5. Personality
6. Meeting your personal trainer
1. Qualifications and insurance
All UK based personal trainers should hold a recognised health,
fitness or exercise qualification and be first aid qualified.
If they are not fully qualified then NEVER employ them to be
your personal trainer. Qualifications can come in many guises.
Some personal trainers may hold a degree in sports science or
a postgraduate award in exercise. Others may hold NVQ's or a
personal training diploma awarded by a specific fitness training
provider. Learn more
2. Experience
Personal training is much more than exercise supervision. A
good personal trainer should have knowledge and experience of
dealing with an array of exercise and fitness issues including
cardiovascular fitness, resistance technique, core stability,
nutrition, anatomy and physiology, speed and power and weight
loss, to name but a few. A word of caution - Beware the personal
trainer that says they can do it all! Ultimately they can't.
Ask to see their client portfolio (clippings and charts of client
progress, before and after shots etc) or ask to speak to a previous
/ current client. Also ask the trainer questions covering cost,
availability, experience of detailing with specific issues etc.
Questions to ask a personal trainer
If after this point you like what you see and hear then book
an appointment for Stage 1 of your personal training programme.
3. Health screening
Stage 1 should always comprise of a health screening*. This
should include:
• A Pre Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ).
• Blood pressure and heart rate measurement.
• Body fat measurement.
• Discussion of client exercise aims and objectives.
If any part of the health screening uncovers contraindications
to exercise - high blood pressure, diabetes, prescription drugs,
history of heart disease etc. - then the personal trainer should
always refer you to a doctor BEFORE taking you on as an exercising
client.
4. How much will a personal trainer cost?
Personal trainers, really good personal trainers will always
be in demand. Motivational trainers, or trainers to the stars,
can charge figures that would make your eyes water.
However the majority of trainers will charge between £25
- £60 per hour, depending on their experience, knowledge,
travel fees and equipment.
5. Personality
A good personal trainer will be a great communicator and a consummate
professional. They should be able to spur you on to new fitness
heights, but this shouldn't occur via bullying, shouting or
bribery - okay many the latter!
The point is is that a personal trainer is someone that costs
you money, and as such the experience should be enjoyable, uplifting
and rewarding.
6. Meeting a personal trainer
It is advisable to meet a new personal trainer for the first
time in a public place (a park, gym, restaurant etc.). For reasons
of personal security never invite a new personal trainer to
your home when you are alone.
