CHARLOTTE,
N.C. — Trying to get in better shape? Maybe it’s time you
asked for help from a personal trainer.
"If
you’re in need of a personal trainer, it’s probably
because permanent changes are overdue and need to start
happening immediately," says Taylor Carpenter, with
TaylorCarpenter Personal Training in Charlotte, N.C.
A
personal trainer can fill several vital roles — tailoring a
workout regimen to your needs, making sure your form and
technique are good. Perhaps the biggest advantage: a personal
trainer provides accountability.
Dennis
McGarry of Charlotte succeeded with the business he started 32
years ago but could never duplicate that success with exercise
and health. "Unfortunately, while I am extremely
disciplined in my business endeavors I just couldn’t do the
same in a fitness and diet effort," he said.
Easing
into retirement a year ago at age 67, overweight and out of
shape, he enlisted the aid of Jonathan Avalos with Shape Up
Fitness and Wellness Consulting.
"While
I am still overweight, my fitness has improved
dramatically," says McGarry. "I still have a ways to
go … but I’ve come a long way in just one year."
Wouldn’t
mind sounding like McGarry a year from now? Here’s some
advice, from personal trainers and those who employ them, on
how to hire a trainer of your own.
1.
Qualifications. A trainer with a four-year degree in a related
field is preferable. "A person with an actual degree in
exercise science or physiology carries a better understanding
of how the body works, how muscles work," says Melanie
Dean with Gateway to Health & Performance in Cary, N.C.,
who holds a master’s of science. Look for personal training
certifications; especially look for certifications that
require continuing education, which helps keep a trainer
current on trends and research.
2.
Experience. While formal education is important, experience
with clients is vital as well. Ask to speak with a couple of
clients for references.
3. Area
of focus. Some trainers focus on specific clients. If, for
instance, a trainer specializes in helping high-performing
athletes tweak their performance and you simply want to lose
some weight and increase your mobility, maybe it’s not a
good fit.
4.
Curiosity. During your interview, the trainer should ask you
more questions than you ask the trainer. "A big part of
the process is listening to where they are right now, what
limitations there are, what their goals are …," says
Dean.
Knee
issues forced Pamela Bennett of Charlotte to abandon her
long-standing martial arts practice. She’d fallen out of
shape but wasn’t a fitness novice. She was skeptical when
she first met Michael Anders, a personal trainer and owner of
Shape Up, because she wasn’t sure he’d pay attention to
her goals.
"I
needed someone to listen to me and work with the goals I
wanted to achieve, not try to define goals for me," says
Bennett. That was seven years ago; she continues to work with
Anders.
"You
should feel a comfort level immediately," says Jessica
Bottesch with Empower Personal Training in Durham. "Are
they taking my goals seriously and not just prescribing a
cookie-cutter program?"
5.
Commitment. Most trainers suggest working with a trainer two
to three times a week, at least initially. This is especially
true if one of your problems has been motivation. The frequent
visits can help establish a routine. Once you fall into that
routine, you can cut back your visits.
6. Team
player? Because healthy living isn’t simply about working
out in the gym, check to see if the trainer works with and
will refer you to other health care professionals. If you’re
diabetic, for instance, the trainer should bring in a
nutritionist or dietician to consult. If you have muscular
dystrophy or fibromyalgia, you might want a masseuse. "A
good trainer should have no problem crossing over lines,"
says Dean.
7. Cost.
The trainers we spoke with said to avoid anyone who requires a
long-term commitment. "I work on a month-to-month basis
with a 30-day money-back guarantee," says Anders. Most
personal trainers charge by the session.
A
one-hour session in a gym will run $45-$65. (Less experienced
trainers may charge less.) A trainer with a related degree
will run more, perhaps: $60-$65. And if the trainer comes to
you, expect to pay $60-$100 or more.
8.
Flexibility. "Maybe you don’t need three times a
week," says Empower’s Bottesch. "Maybe once a week
or even once a month is good. The trainer should be willing to
show you things you can do on your own." Another option:
group fitness. "It’s not quite the same tailored
approach, but it is a much lower price point and you still
have access to a trainer."
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CERTIFIABLE?
Here’s
a quick guide to some of the more prominent personal trainer
certifications, including format of courses and
recertification requirements.
American
Council on Exercise (ACE). Nonprofit, online and live
workshops, recertification required every two years with 20
hours of credits.
