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A skilled and experienced personal trainer can help you
maximize your results, keep you motivated
and help you adhere to an exercise
plan. He or she can
take the guesswork out of which types of exercises you should do,
how many times you should do them and for how long. Most importantly,
a trainer can teach you how exercise will increase your energy
and stamina, make your body stronger and more flexible, protect
your from injury and increase your self-esteem.
On the other hand, an unskilled, uneducated trainer or one who
does not know how to meet your specific needs or your specific
situation (if, for example, you are disabled or have medical problems)
may not be able to help you.
Here are some questions to ask when you are looking for a 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.
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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. Top
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. Top
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. Top
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 maybe 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. Top
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.
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