You’ve decided to start working out! Here are the 7 questions to ask a personal trainer, to ensure you’re meeting with a qualified professional.
Joining a gym or committing to a workout plan is a great step to getting healthy. The stronger and more conditioned you are, the better you can move around in the world. That comes in clutch when rushing to catch the train or running after your kids!
But walking into a gym for the first time can be intimidating. Where do you start? How do you use the equipment? What should your workouts look like?
Certified personal trainers can be a fantastic tool on your health and fitness journey. Trainers know how to structure workouts to your specific goals, can advance your programs as you get stronger, and instruct you on proper form.
Just like with any other professional you hire, you’ll want to make sure you’re meeting with someone knowledgable and qualified. And unfortunately, there are a lot of “trainers” out there that lack any real education or real-world experience.
When you’re ready to break a sweat, here are the 7 questions to ask a personal trainer.
1. “What is your certification?”
Any legitimate personal trainer will be certified by a reputable national agency. The vast majority of gyms will not hire a trainer who isn’t certified, but it does happen sometimes. And ANYONE can get on Instagram and call themselves a trainer without having to back it up. Inquiring about certification is one of the most important questions to ask a potential trainer.
Here are some of the most popular and trustworthy certifying organizations:
- NASM-CPT (National Academy of Sports Medicine – Certified Personal Trainer)
- NCSA-CSCS (National Strength and Conditioning Association – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist)
- ACE-CPT (American College of Exercise – Certified Personal Trainer)
- ACSM-CPT (American College of Sports Medicine – Certified Personal Trainer)
- ISSA-CPT (International Sports Sciences Association – Certified Personal Trainer)
- NPTI-CPT (National Personal Training Institute – Certified Personal Trainer)
College degrees like a BS or MS in Exercise Science are good signs too, however many college grads will also have certified personal trainer status through one of the above organizations.
If you’re interested in a more niche workout like CrossFit, Pilates, or Yoga, those trainers will have certifications specific to their practice. CrossFit coaches will have “CF-L1,” “CF-L2,” etc. after their names. Pilates instructors will be certified through schools like Balanced Body, Stott Pilates, or Peak Pilates to name a few. Yoga teachers will go through certain hours of training, which they’ll notate with their certifications.
Certified personal trainers are required to have liability insurance (either on their own or through the gym). They’re also required to know CPR, and must go through recertification processes that require continuing education every few years. If you’re with a trainer who’s certified, chances are they know what they’re doing!
2. “What’s your specialty?”
Once a personal trainer receives their certification, they’re qualified to work with most people. As trainers evolve in their careers though, they’ll usually gravitate towards a specific demographic that they feel best qualified to serve. Many trainers receive additional certifications in areas like pre/post-natal exercise (SUPER important if you’re working out while pregnant or postpartum), corrective exercise, and performance enhancement.
Ask any potential trainer where they specialize. Some may say they focus on beginners and first-time gym goers, some may say they work with professional-level athletes, and some may say they specialize in post-menopausal weight loss.
3. “What kind of client do you work with the most?”
Some personal trainers may feel that they don’t have a “specialty” per se, especially if they’re new to the field. A good follow up question to ask a personal trainer is “what kind of client do you work with the most?” This will give you an idea of what your own workouts with them will look like.
If the trainer answers the question with “men who want to put on muscle,” you may expect to see a lot of weightlifting in your future. If the trainer answers the question with “women who want to lose weight,” you may expect to have sweaty, high intensity workouts whenever you meet.
4. “What is your training philosophy?”
Everyone does their jobs a little bit differently than their peers, and personal trainers are no exception. Some personal trainers may lead with a “no pain, no gain” mentality, and use aggressive tactics to motivate their clients (anyone remember Jillian Michaels on The Biggest Loser?) Other trainers are more gentle and straightforward, and others are super peppy and offer lots of positive encouragement.
Asking a personal trainer about their training philosophy will give you a glimpse into their personalities. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to train people, but there is an attitude that you’ll respond to best. If you roll your eyes when someone is WAY too positive, then the peppy cheerleader trainer may not be your cup of tea.
5. “Have you ever worked with a client who had similar goals as mine?”
A very important question to ask a personal trainer. If you were buying a condo, you’d want to work with an agent who’d helped others to buy condos. If your main goal is to lose 15 pounds, you’ll want to work with a trainer who knows how to tailor your workouts to achieve weight loss.
6. “Have you experienced any struggle in your own health and fitness journey?”
You’ll want to connect with your personal trainer, and empathy is a big part of the equation. If one of your goals is to lose 100 pounds and your trainer has been a muscular athlete their entire lives, they may not fully understand the challenges you face on your health and fitness journey. Experiencing personal struggle isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but it may give you insight into the ways a fitness professional will communicate with you.
7. “What could I expect a workout to look like with you?”
Finally, you’ll want a “preview” of how your personal trainer intends to train you. Most trainers will conduct assessments and ask questions before your first session, so they can get an idea of your current fitness level and abilities. Ask them to describe what a “first workout” would look like, so you can get an idea of whether or not you’ll enjoy what they put together.