Terra Marie from FitGirlOnTop.com wrote a great article yesterday on what you should know before hiring a personal trainer and I thought I would share it with you! Hiring a trainer is an investment in your health and is definitely worth it and we want to make sure your getting the most for your money. Have a read through this article and see what you think!
Please don't hire this guy... lol
We research our phone service plans and insurance companies before we purchase…but many people fail to be selective when choosing the right personal trainer. Committing to a trainer takes time any money so it’s important that you make the right decision.
There are
5 important factors to assist you in choosing the right specialist: certification, education, insurance, experience and the individual.
Certification – Every trainer must hold a Certified Personal Trainer certification from a governing body and have a current certification in First Aid and CPR in order to design fitness programs and train clients. There are different types of Certifications to become a trainer and the scope of practice may very depending on the level of certification. Thoroughly research your trainer’s list of certifications and understand their scope of practice. A good trainer will know their scope of practice and follow proper protocols or they risk being disbarred. For example, a trainer that designs you a meal plan and is not a Certified Nutritionist is practicing unethically and I would be cautious of their credibility.
Here is a list of common personal training certifications to assist you in your research.
CSEP- CPT – Certified Personal Trainer
CSEP – CEP – Certified Exercise Physiologist (must have a degree for this certification)
CanFitPro PTS – Personal Trainer Specialist
ISSA Personal Training Certification (online certification)
CPTN – CPT- Certified Personal Trainer
Education – Having a degree or college diploma is
not mandatory for a personal trainer however this trainer would be considered a higher-level trainer based on their education and will cost more per session for their services.
Insurance – Every certified trainer must have liability insurance to protect you as well as him or her in case of an accident. If they belong to a corporate gym, they will be covered under the health gym they work for, however it is recommended that trainers also take out personal practice insurance to be safe. If your trainer owns or works for a private gym, they have to take out personal practice insurance. Don’t be afraid to ask your trainer about their liability insurance! They should be able to show you proof of insurance upon being hired as your trainer.
Experience – Every trainer’s knowledge and experience will very depending on their interests. Thoroughly read their resume and evaluate years of experience and what areas of fitness they are knowledgeable in. Choose someone who has expertise in the area you are looking to improve, i.e., sports specific, fitness competition, weight loss, yoga and meditation, running etc.
Individual – Does this person motivate you? Do they listen and seem attentive? They practice what they preach? Do they act in a professional manner and respect client confidentiality? Are they introverted or extroverted? Their personality and ability to motivate you is very important and should not be overlooked.
What should I expect to pay for training?
There are lots of variables that will determine cost for training services. Location is a big factor. Expect to pay more money in cities where cost of living is high and lower fees for small towns / cities. Level of education, experience, certifications and history of success also play a huge role in the cost of your trainer.
Determining costs
-$45 and below – A new trainer that is trying to gain some experience or those who work in small towns.
- $45-$55 per hour – Basic level trainer with minimum of a personal training certification with 0-2 years experience training.
- $55 – $75 per hour – Trainer may hold a degree or diploma in fitness and health, exercise science, human kinetics or related field. They hold certifications in specialty areas such as muscle imbalance testing, yoga, kickboxing etc. They may have 2-5 years experience training with appropriate amount of testimonials to prove their results.
- $75+ per hour –Trainer holds a degree or diploma in fitness and health, exercise science, human kinetics or related field. They are certified in specialty areas such as muscle imbalance testing, yoga, weight lifting, kickboxing etc. They may have 5+ years experience training with appropriate amount of testimonials to prove their results. This trainer will most often possess certifications to work with special populations (persons with injuries, elderly, or athletes that require a CEP level trainer for max fitness testing). This person may also work with celebrities, professional athletes or high interest clients.
Why is training so expensive?
A specialist has to maintain their certifications in order to practice in their field. This requires yearly re-certification fees, insurance feeds, membership fees, and continuing education credits and current CPR certifications. The more certifications a trainer has, the more fees they have to pay to maintain their certifications so cost to train with them will be higher. You are also paying for the level of education a trainer has…and as we all know, college and university isn’t cheap and this person deserves to be paid what they are worth. Overhead costs also play a large role in costs. Cost for equipment, if they rent gym space, maintenance, uniform and perhaps even travel costs for those who will do in home training.
Don’t be afraid to ask the trainer for proof of certifications, insurance and testimonials. There are many people out there practicing unethically so it’s crucial that you take the time to ensure that your safety and investment is being put into the right hands. Talk to previous clients and ask them about there experiences!
