What should I look for in a Personal Trainer?

Choosing a personal trainer in the UK can be a daunting task, with many companies and individuals operating across the UK, it can be very hard to decide what to look for in a training company/trainer. So here is my quick guide to the main things to look for in your future trainer!

What to look for in a Personal Trainer (in no particular order):-

1) REP’s registered - A personal trainer should be registered on REP’s at level 3, you can check this by filling in any potential trainers details on the Member Search section of the website. REP’s is a government backed organisation that works with Skills Active to set qualification levels for fitness professionals. To be registered all instructors need to be adequately insured and trained.

2) Insurance - A personal trainer should have a minimum of £2,000,000 liability insurance it is worth checking that all services you are using are covered by the policy. For example a different type of insurance is needed for Sports Massage Therapy.

3) Qualifications - As stated above by being registered at level 3 on REP’s you can be pretty sure that the instructors training is at the correct standard. To check out individual qualifications and what they cover you can look at the training providers web site for more details. You should also look for a trainer who is continually updating their skills, this is done by Continuing Professional Development (a requirement of REP’s). You should look at the trainers profile and look for them continually adding to their qualification list.

4) Experience Level - Most personal trainers will have at least three to five years experience in the industry.

5) Communication Skills - This is a very important factor in my opinion, you need to try and find a trainer who you can communicate with effectively. This will ensure that you get the very most out of your training sessions and the trainer themselves, also you want the sessions to be fun and enjoyable!

6) Motivation Skills - Your trainer needs to be able to effectively motivate you, this is one of the skills that will come out of good communication and experience.

7) Equipment - The trainer needs to have a good range of equipment that will allow you to have a challenging workout, however amount of equipment is not always the be all and end all, a body weight session can be a killer if done right!

8) Cost - You need to look for a trainer that is within your price range, remember that the most expensive is not always the best. Have a look at a few trainers to gage what the average session price is in your area.

As stated above one of the main factor to look for in a trainer is your ability to communicate and get on with each other. Before signing up to any number of sessions with a trainer I advise you to do a taster/one off session, this will allow you to evaluate if the trainer is someone you feel can help you work towards to your goals, inspire, and communicate effectively with you.

Hope this helps you get on the road to fitness!

TOM

Tom Godwin – Personal Trainer – Foresight Fitness Services (Personal Training + Corporate Wellbeing) - Manchester and Cheshire, UK

trainer@foresight-fitness.co.uk

www.foresight-fitness.co.uk