choosing a personal trainer

by Matthew Barbour

choosing a personal trainer | help and info

As anyone who's seen Casino Royale knows, your body shape could determined as much by your wallet as your genes. But you don't have to be Bond to get the benefits. In fact, according to latest Fitness Industry Association figures, the number of Brits who have decided to fork out for sessions with a personal trainer over the past ten years has more than doubled. 'Although it's been seen as the preserve of the glitterati, personal training is something literally anyone can benefit from and it's nowhere near as expensive as you might think,' explains Robin Gargrave, Director of YMCAfit and architect of the original and largest exercise instructor training operation in the UK. 'From pensioners wanting to keep active, to executives wanting to lose weight, to housewives who want tone, we see thousands of people every week who reap the rewards of getting the help and guidance of a personal trainer – there really is no stereotype.'

getting motivated

So how can you tell if you'd benefit from their services? 'You see hundreds and hundreds of people who either simply can't motivate themselves to exercise, or who walk around the gym in a daze, never quite knowing what to do next, or why,' Gargrave says. 'And although it obviously costs more than just going to the gym on your own, you have to ask yourself what you're getting for your money – surely it's better to kick-start your new fitness regime with a handful of sessions with someone who can provide you with clear goals and work out a specific programme, rather than see the gym as a boring place that doesn't do anything for you?' He advises you first of all to ask yourself if you do actually need extra motivation to exercise (not everyone does). 'Paying someone to help and meet you at a specific time could also be perfect if you keep making excuses not to get fit,' Gargrave says.

why bother?

Perhaps the most common reason to sign up includes reaching a plateau in your training – so you can't beat your personal best times and maximum weights and you don't feel like you're progressing in any way. 'If, like most people, you're harbouring some niggling injury, a personal trainer understands how your body works and can adapt a programme around that, so you're at lower risk of aggravating it and feel safe in your new regime,' he says. And very few gym goers actually understand how to get the most out of their gyms, he says. 'Most people stick to three or four machines or exercises, when there are hundreds of options which would help them achieve their fitness goals quicker and easier if only they had the confidence and know-how,' Gargrave says. And lastly, the added bonus of a personal trainer is that they don't necessarily have to work with you in a gym. 'They can help you train for a marathon by running with you outside, or you can even get one to come to your home if you're really pushed for time, or you want a little privacy.'

what to look for

But with thousands of personal trainers on the market, how can you make sure you're choosing the right one for you? And more importantly, how can you make sure you're not handing your training over to a 'cowboy' trainer who'll do more harm than good?

First, check to see they're on the Register of Exercise Professionals (020 8686 6464). 'It means they've passed a basic theory and practical exam, which is a good start but far from everything,' explains Andrée Deane of the Fitness Industry Association. It's the equivalent of seeing someone's driving licence – it means they passed an examination once, but doesn't give you much indication of exactly how good a driver they are now. 'They should also have an industry recognised certificate such as a level 3 or a CYQ (Central YMCA Qualification) or Premier IQ qualification,' says Deane. And ask to see evidence of liability insurance from your trainer, otherwise he or she won't be covered if you sustain an injury which prevents you from working, or even worse, causing some form of long-term disability.'

Next, if they throw you straight onto a machine, smell a rat. 'The first session should be a lengthy two-way interview process and postural analysis session so he or she can work out the best programme according to your wants, activity preferences and ability,' Kevin Yates, national fitness manager for Fitness First. 'He should ask questions like: 'What can't you do?' and 'What don't you like doing?' as much as what are you hoping to achieve.' At the very least you should be asked to fill in a Physical Readiness Questionnaire or 'ParQ' to establish any 'red flags' from your medical history. They may carry out a number of tests, such as body composition, flexibility, aerobic fitness, postural/structural analysis and an examination of your dietary intake. 'Avoid a 'Trainer' that wants to take you through a session without any form of assessment first,' he says.

After that, ask to see some of their other clients' programme cards – if they're brimming with exercises on static resistance machines and basic cardio workouts, ask yourself why you'd need this kind of personal training. 'Look for work on multifunctional pieces of kit, in unstable environments, like bosus and lunges, something which is much more hands-on, requiring a PT,' Yates says. 'They really won't expect you sign up for a life-long contract, so they're in effect teaching you how to train, and that means getting the most from your gym and all its equipment – if nothing else, the other cards should show how they mix it up from time to time to maintain motivation and keep it interesting.' Looking at other clients' cards will also show if they're used to dealing with people like you, with your goals. 'Some PTs specialise in helping men bulk up, others with helping complete couch potatoes regain some form of confidence, and others are great at motivating you for intense cardiovascular work – a lot of it comes down to personality.'

If your PT spends time with you counting reps, steer clear. 'Any idiot can count reps – you need individual, constructive feedback, which is what you're paying for,' Yates says. 'He should offer constant feedback on your technique, offering motivation and tips so you understand what you're doing right and wrong so you improve.' Avoid a 'Personal Trainer' that answers his mobile phone or texts during a session. 'This is extremely bad practice and unprofessional,' he says. They are being paid to attend to you, not for arranging their social calendar.

Next, ask what information they'll give you – is it just a programme card? 'You should also be getting dietary information, with menus tailored to your specific goal, as well as graph print-outs showing your performance and projections of where you hope to be, when,' explains Peter Hood, head trainer at David Lloyd Leisure. 'Using IT effectively is an integral part of being an effective PT, and if he doesn't know what you're talking about, he simply hasn't had the proper training.' Also, ask him what journals he reads to keep up to scratch with his training – such as The Physician and Sports Medicine, the Journal of Applied Physiology, the Journal of Sports Medicine, JAMA, and the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 'CPD, or Continuing Professional Development, is essential if he or she wants to understand the latest developments and techniques – no PT should ever think he or she knows it all.'

Another good yard-stick is to check his or her anatomical knowledge by asking which muscles make up your 'core'. 'You have four cores, with 29 muscles attached to the hips and spine, so if simply says 'your six pack', or 'abs', he's an idiot,' Peter says. 'Any personal trainer has to understand exactly which muscles he's working when he asks you to do an exercise, otherwise he's putting you risk of injury.'

what does a personal trainer cost?

Personal trainers cost anything from hundreds of pounds an hour, down to £20. 'Most are happy to negotiate a fee,' says Andrée Deane of the Fitness Industry Association. 'A good way of keeping the cost down is to hook up with a friend with similar needs, so you can split the cost, but that obviously means you won't be getting the same level of attention and some personal trainers prefer not to, but it's worth asking.' Also, consider seeing a PT just once a month – and using any tips gleaned to focus your solo workouts. 'If you're quite gym savvy and fit, often you might only need someone to set goals and tweak your workout – you should see your PT as a flexible friend who can do whatever you need.' And make sure they're convenient for your purposes, she explains. 'There's little point opting for a PT who can only see you at ungodly hours, or who you to travel miles and miles to see – make sure you set out the ground rules and some sort of timetable before you hand over your cash, or you really will be wasting it.'

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(January 2007)

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