We all want to enjoy a certain quality of life. I’m guessing you moved to Tucson for that very reason. And getting away from scraping snow off your windshield for the thousandth time may have been another motivator. If your idea of quality involves braving one of countless hiking trails, participating in annual events such as the Arizona Distance Classic, playing golf and tennis at the El Conquistador Country Club, or living out your love for baseball on one of several Oro Valley softball teams, you will decrease your risk of injury and increase your enjoyment of your chosen activities with the investment in a solid personal trainer. Here are five tips for finding the right one for you.
Tip #1: Look for a trainer that is nationally certified and/or degreed in one of several exercise sciences. There are literally hundreds of certifications available for a trainer to pursue. However, there is only a handful that has more stringent standards to pass. Look for NSCA (National Strength & Conditioning Association), ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), ACE (American Council on Exercise), and NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine).
Tip #2: Participate in a complimentary session before committing to any purchase. This one is important because you’ll learn a lot about how your potential trainer interacts with you. I would even suggest challenging your person. Think of it as an interview. You want to see how they respond to problem solving because the success of your exercise program will depend on your trainer knowing how to tool it to suit your objectives best.
Tip #3: Ask for references. I think this one is so valuable because you want to be able to talk to others that have already trained with your potential trainer and successfully accomplished what you’re hoping to. You want results. Inquire to determine if the trainer you are looking to hire can produce them.
Tip #4: Find a trainer that has been in business for greater than 5 years. The world of personal training as a whole has very high turnover. The last think you want is to hire a trainer only to find out that they are moving on to something else a year later. Look for a trainer that is established. Even better would be to find one that has been running a business that is inclusive of other trainers as well for 5 or more years.
Although this list is not exhaustive, it does provide some solid start points to find the right trainer for you. You want someone that understands the importance of providing you with a solid experience that ultimately produces the results you want.
