Selecting a Personal Trainer Who’s Right for You

Getting into exercising is a daunting affair: there are many barriers between you and your fitness goals. When you make the decision to partner with a personal trainer, you help to smooth out the bumps on your road to success. There are a many things you will want to consider as you look for a good personal trainer in Los Angeles, and A4 Fitness is here to help.

1.       Credentials and Accolades.

The first thing you will want to take a look at with a personal trainer is their resume. For example, many of the best boxing trainers have a list of fights they have won. Examine their credentials, and make sure they have merit. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and other certified organizations (like NASM or ACSM) are certified by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies). The ACE website has a terrific chart to look up certifications, as well.

2.       Methodology.

How does your potential trainer go about helping newbies find success? It’s not just about putting in hours at the gym. The best trainers follow methods that have improved their own workouts, namely “smart practice makes perfect.” Look for a trainer who can recognize mistakes quickly and help to correct them in routines, as well as someone with a long history of teaching exercise techniques.

3.       Coaching Style.

Take a look at your potential trainer’s personality side-by-side with your needs. Some prefer a “cheerleader” type who encourages and assists, while others like to have a “drill sergeant” pushing them to go further. In other words, look at the level of support you want, as well as the degree of your own autonomy.

4.       Training Programs and Progress.

Your potential trainer should be able to outline a clear path to your fitness goals. Inquire as to how they will help you get results and, in your first meeting, feel free to ask for references. That way, you can see how other clients have achieved their fitness goals with the trainer.

5.       Nutrition, Fitness Trends, and Research.

An excellent personal trainer will know a good deal about what’s going on in the fitness world. You should be able to ask them about CrossFit, Paleo diets, Plyometrics, kettle bells, suspension training, YogaFit, Pilates, mind-body training, and the like. The best personal trainers are passionate about what they do – and they continue their education throughout the training process.

6.       Consider all of your options.

There are a lot of trainers out there, and you want to make sure you have the right fit. In other words, don’t just hire the first trainer you meet. Also, there are excellent alternatives to a personal trainer, if the thought of a full-time training at the gym is a little out of your budget. Consider working with semi-private groups at A4 Fitness, or work with a trainer for a limited amount of time at the beginning or the end of your typical workout.

A4 Fitness is dedicated to helping you get to the next level: think of us as your personal training network, and our staff as a team of experts in the fitness world. When you are ready to have some one-on-one training, contact us and we will pair you up with the right kind of personal trainer for your needs. You won’t find better gym on LA’s West Side of LA for personal fitness improvement, so when you want to take that next step, we’re prepared to show you the way. 

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