health

Find The Personal Trainer That Works For You

Athletic individuals with a lot of will power and discipline probably don’t need to read any further. On the other hand, if you are not exactly comfortable around an athletic club and you need structure in your life, a personal trainer can be a great solution. Not only will you be getting in shape, you’ll also learn a lot about how to stay in shape with diet and other forms of exercise.

If you have friends who regularly frequent an athletic club near you, they are good people to ask for referrals. You should also think about what your exercise goals are so that you can discuss them with a potential trainer. Are you just trying to lose weight or do you want to train for a marathon?

Once you find potential trainers, you will want to be sure that they are certified, preferably by a nationally recognized organization, such as the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). the National Strength and Conditioning Council (NSCC) or the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Next you need to confirm that they have liability insurance. From there, it’s like a job interview, because after all, that’s what it is. You are hiring someone for the job of getting you in shape. How many years experience do they have? What kinds of clients have they worked with? Can they provide you with client references? Do they have certification in CPR and first aid? Don’t feel like you have to hire the first trainer you speak with.

When you have identified a trainer you need to discuss fees, scheduling and cancellation policies. Make sure that everything is spelled out clearly, and even better, put in writing.

Before you start any personal training program, talk to your doctor or health care provider. Your trainer should be told up front if you have any orthopedic concerns or past injuries that might influence the type of program a trainer would create for you.

The final consideration is a purely subjective judgment. How does the trainer communicate with you? Besides being good listeners, the best personal trainers are adept at motivating through positive reinforcement, never negative. The last thing you want is to feel inadequate, especially when your main objective is feel better about yourself.

Susan Kramer, RYT200 is a certified yoga instructor (Yoga Heals) who lives in Annapolis, Maryland. She knows firsthand of the healing powers of yoga.

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