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10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Personal Training Industry

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What You Didn’t Know About the Personal Training Industry

Let’s take a look at our list of things to remember when making choices about the personal training industry.

The total number of gym memberships in the U.S. grew more than 38% in the past ten years, and the need for personal trainers has grown right along with them. Choosing a personal trainer can be a challenging task for someone new to fitness training because there are so many different programs and points of view. 

There are many unknowns about the personal training industry, mostly because it’s still a relatively new idea, and many things are still being ironed out. We are going to help by arming you with the information you need to make an educated decision about the qualifications of your trainer.

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1. Don’t Train

Many people feel that they should put off hiring a personal trainer until they get into better shape on their own. They believe that they need to hire a personal trainer only when they get stuck and need assistance. 

The downside to this approach is that you can learn bad habits that can be hard to break later. Sometimes bad habits can lead to personal injury and setbacks that will extend the time required to achieve your goals.

It’s a good idea to get your trainer early to prevent learning bad habits. They can also help to get you on track for fast results. Your trainer will prefer to be there at the start.

2. A Good Trainer Knows Your Limits

Your trainer should begin by discovering your physical limitations and areas of weakness. Your trainer will also need to look for any muscle imbalances and test your flexibility. The trainer will also want to check your form while doing each exercise to make sure you perform each of them correctly.

Your trainer will also need to know your goals for weight training, weight loss, etc. so hey can help you reach them. If your trainer does not do this evaluation, they cannot develop a plan to reach your goals. If you begin training without a plan, you could injure yourself. Skipping the evaluation could suggest that this trainer might not be right for you.

Your trainer will evaluate you and learn these things by beginning with a detailed written assessment called the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire. You will need to supply your medical history, and might need a body fat measurement. You may also need an evaluation of your posture and diet.

3.  A Bad Trainer is Counter-Productive

A personal trainer needs to be right for you and your needs. They need to have your best interests and goals at heart and be knowledgable enough help you realize those goals.  

Using the wrong personal trainer can lead to injury or force you to pursue goals you do not wish to achieve. They will create a bad overall experience that can de-motivate you, and cause you to stay home instead of reaching your goals.

Many people might continue to use a poor trainer if they have a good reputation, or other people have recommended them. But if your trainer is not leading you towards your goals, they are leading you away from them. 

4. There is No Standard Certification 

One thing many people don’t know about the personal training industry is that there is no standardized certification program in place.  There is no college or exams you need to pass to become a personal trainer the way there is for becoming a lawyer or a public accountant. 

No standard certification means you need to look carefully into the credentials of any potential trainer to avoid scams. Don’t accept a long list of certifications without researching what it took to receive them. Some certifications only require an hour or two of training while others require going to college for years.

Here are a few popular certification programs that many personal trainers complete. Anyone certified from one of these places is very likely to know what they are doing, but this list is not exhaustive.

Top Certifications

  • National Acadamy of Sports Medicine
  • International Sports Sciences Association
  • American Council on Exercise
  • American College of Sports Medicine
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association

You can indeed get great results from a trainer that doesn’t have a certification, and not everyone certified will be a good trainer. Certification provides an excellent place to start when inquiring about the depth of knowledge someone has on a subject, and it can give insight into their specialties.

5. Personal Trainers Need Insurance

Any pro trainer with steady work will have liability insurance in case something goes wrong. If the trainer is an employee of the gym, they will likely provide the protection. Coverage will also protect you if you get hurt. If you get injured and the trainer does not have insurance, you might have to pay for care out of your pocket even if you win a settlement. Make sure your trainer is insured.

6. Reaching Your Goals Can be Expensive   

Depending on where you start and where you want to end up, it can get expensive and take a long time. As a general rule, it can take three to five months for the average person to get results, and cost can exceed $1200 per month in some cases.

Frequently when you begin training with a personal trainer, you will go several times a week until you have a plan in place. Once a program is in place, you may need to see your trainer less frequently, but costs can still add up over time.

It’s essential to budget for the trainer early on, so you are not surprised or forced to quit your program. A false start can set you back and reduce your morale.

7. The Trainer Doesn’t Get the Money

Even though the cost can be high, a trainer can help you reach your goals much faster than you could on your own, and the high fee is not just to pay the trainer. Often, a large portion of the cost goes to the gym or other facilities where the trainer works. Some of the money might be used to pay the insurance we talked about, and many times you might need special equipment.

8. Some Trainers Have an Agenda

Unfortunately, steroids are still prevalent in the gym, and some trainers might downplay their harmful and illegal aspects to make extra money. Any trainer that pushes a product over diet and exercise is not working for you. They are working for that product. They are not personal trainers. They’re salesmen. 

9. Training Goes Beyond the Trainer

You will only spend a fraction of your time in the gym with your trainer so you will need to set up a plan for what you do during the remaining time. Diet will play a big part, and so will exercise. There may also be times when you need to contact your trainer for unexpected help. Ultimately, reaching goals is up to you.

10. Fire Your Trainer

Many people struggle to get along with their trainer for any number of reasons and continue working with them longer than they should. If you feel that you’re not on track to meet your goals, it’s perfectly acceptable to fire your trainer. You should never enter any long term contracts with any trainer because you don’t know if they are right for you.

Summary

That brings us to the end of our insights into the personal training industry. We hope you have learned something, and will feel more confident next time you are looking to hire a personal trainer for yourself. Use this guide to help you make your choice. If you enjoyed these personal trainer tips, please share them.

 

What to Look For in a Gym or Personal Trainer

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It’s never a bad time to commit to a healthier lifestyle that combines diet and exercise with mental and spiritual well being to achieve your best self.  Always consult with a doctor before starting any fitness program.

As you get started down your path to fitness, you will no doubt have many questions about every aspect of your journey. It will be a process that you take one step at a time. Our goal for today is to learn what to look for in a gym or personal trainer.

We are going to help you figure out what kind of gym you need.

If you are thinking about going to the gym and getting fit, it is common to wonder what gym is the best one to join. Some gyms are small and only offer the basics, while others better resemble a fitness center where every possible activity has its own space. 

We are going to help you choose a personal trainer.

Some gyms will offer a personal trainer as part of their membership package, or for an additional fee. If you are looking for a trainer to help you achieve your goals, this could be the right solution for you. Otherwise, you will need to seek out and select a trainer and develop a schedule that works for both of you.

Here are several things that you will want to look for in a gym and a trainer.

Location

One of the biggest concerns you will face when choosing a gym and personal trainer is its location. There may be several gyms in a city or large community, but only one or two within driving distance if you live in a rural area or small town. Transportation can also be a problem if you don’t drive. Weather is also a concern if you live in a location that receives excessive snowfall every year.

Your trainer’s location will also be vital if the gym does not offer training. Long-distance between you and the trainer can complicate early morning or late night meetings and weather will also be a more significant factor.

Availability

You will need your gym and your personal trainer to be available when you are, or at the very least, be available at times that work for you. If you don’t like working out in the morning, don’t get a trainer that trains in the morning. If you can only work out at 3 am, you will need a gym that’s open twenty-four hours a day.

Trying to fit your workout into a time frame that does not suit you will waste everyone’s time and your money. You will grow frustrated at your inability to wake up or your rushed workouts, and it will be counterproductive to your fitness goals.

You need to determine how often and at what times you can work out and find a gym and a trainer that operate during those times.

Cost

Cost is going to be one of the most significant determining factors when choosing a gym or a trainer. A fair price is going to be influenced by everything we talk about, as well as your gut-feeling. 

You can try out most gyms a few times for free or by paying a try out fee, but most will want you to sign up for a monthly membership pretty quickly. Some gyms will give more significant discounts corresponding to the length of your commitment.

Sometimes the size of the gym can influence the cost. For example, a gym with a swimming pool might be more expensive than a gym without one. If you need or will make use of a pool, you might justify the cost increase. Otherwise, paying for a pool is wasted money. Many gyms have package deals that include or don’t include the pool and other extras. 

Personal trainers are much more costly than gym memberships, and they can charge by the quarter, half, or full hour. Sessions are usually once a week, but they can be every other week, or once a month depending on your budget and fitness goals.  Someone in need of rehabilitation might meet a trainer several times a week.

Reputation

Reputation is always important to consider when choosing a gym or a trainer.  You certainly want a gym that has a reputation for being well managed with clean, well-maintained equipment. Your trainer needs to have a reputation for getting results. 

Specialties or Perks

Going to the gym can open up more possibilities than just bench presses and squats. Many gyms offer Aerobics, Zumba, Boxing, Yoga, Swimming, Racquetball, and Tennis as well as many other specialty classes that you might find interesting. 

These specialty classes can be instrumental in helping you achieve your goals.  If you enjoy participating in them, you will stay motivated to keep returning and working out.

Your personal trainer’s specialty is going to be very important. A physical therapist is not going to be the best option if you want to body build or train for boxing. You need a trainer that specializes in helping others achieve the goals you would like to reach, whether it be weight loss, muscle gain, etc.

Trainer Specific

We’ve pretty much covered what you need to look for in a gym, but there are still a few things you need to look for in a personal trainer.

Credentials

Credentials mainly in the form of certifications can be an essential determining factor, especially if the cost is high. There are four widely recognized certifications and hundreds of others. The main four are as follows.

  • National Academy of Sports Medicine – NASM
  • American Council on Exercise – ACE
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association – NACA
  • American College of Sports Medicine – ACSM

If your trainer has other certifications, we recommend checking to see what receiving that certification entails. Some certifications only require an afternoon while others require a college degree.

Experience

The more experience a trainer has, the more likely they have seen someone like you before and will be able to help you. Someone terrible at their job usually doesn’t stay in business very long.

Personality 

For many people, this is a crucial factor. You cannot reach your goals if you cannot get along with your trainer. Your trainer will need to push you to your limits and keep you motivated while remaining receptive to your needs and goals.

Summary

Hopefully, after reading this over, you will have a good idea of what you need. Remember, training is only a small part of the fitness equation with your diet being the main ingredient. Your mental state and motivation level is also an essential factor. Never follow any plans blindly, always do your research to be sure your heading toward your goals.