Gennaro's Fitness Weblog

RAISE THE BAR! Choosing The Best Trainer
Questions to be asked and points to be raised before employing a Personal Fitness Trainer

Is or was your trainer a professional or amatuer competitive athlete?

As a former professional athlete, Ive trained with the best, been beaten by the best, and defeated the best. This is how I learned some of the most effective training techniques and principles in the fitness industry today. If your trainer hasn't been through the 'competitive wringer', then your sessions will lack intensity and direction and your results will not be as forthcoming. You may even be putting yourself at risk of injury.

Does your trainer hold a University or College degree in Physical Education, Human Movement, Sports Science, or a related field?

My Degree in Teaching and Physical Education taught me a lot about disclipline, an appreciation of the human body as a physical and psychological being, biomechanics, physiology, and its nutritional demands and requirements.
It also enabled me to teach my students and clients the most effective tools of learning which are, demonstration, clear explanation, trial and error, patience, positive feedback and a willingness to succeed. If your trainer doesn't display most of these attributes you should consider another trainer.

Is your trainer in great physical shape?

The best trainers are those who are constantly practicing what they preach, and experimenting on their own, in order to impart their knowlege and experiences. These trainers are constantly improving and honing their own skills, and are not simply reading fitness magazines, or being told how to workout by other people. How can I be taught an effective abdominal routine by a trainer who has a flabby stomach?
If you find yourself asking this question then its time to seek professional advice.

"I still get excited about working out and treat every training session like its my first. I approach a routine thinking, how can I make this workout more interesting, challenging and invigorating than the last?"
The answer is, use your imagination, focus, be passionate and have fun. This will motivate you through your most productive workouts.In addition to this, your trainer should always be open to other points of view and training styles, constantly developing new and exciting routines for you.


Is your trainer the real thing?

Some may have the gift of the gab, but if they can't deliver results and you feel you are simply being taken through the motions, politely dismiss them. If the trainer you are considering has a fitness website with photographs, make sure the images are of the actual trainer and not some other in shape model, athlete or competitive bodybuilder. Ask to see their physique when you meet them. It is an extension of their resume and their personal testimonial. The bottom line is, make sure "what you see is what you get" and if you are not impressed with what you see, keep looking.

Does your trainer give you all of his/her available energy and attention and are they varying your routines?

Your Personal Trainer should be excited about working with you every session; introducing you to new exercises, routines, foods, and meal ideas that he/she has recently experimented with successfully.

In addition to knowing their exercises, they must appreciate good food and be well educated on nutrition and its effects on the physically active body. He or she should also be aware of the clients poor nutritional habits and ways in which to change a clients diet accordingly and provide balanced high quality nutrition, including the recommendation of natural suplemments.
Jul 03, 2005    1:46 pm

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