This is a very good question.  There are many trainers out there today and to be honest, many of them are crap!  It is very hard to tell the good ones from the bad by simply looking at them.  Although, generally if a trainer is in terrible shape him or herself chances are he or she is not going to be able to mentor you like I feel they should.  With me my physique was always my best marketing tool, I don’t just preach, I practice what I preach.

A good place to start would be to look at their education, unfortunately this can sometimes be misleading.  I have come across many trainers with university degrees in kinesiology, physiotherapy and many other sport related degrees.  These people generally have a very good knowledge of the human body but can’t seem to apply it.  Without their own time in the trenches, working out hard and picking up many tips and pointers you don’t learn in school, they can’t offer you real world knowledge.

Often the information taught in schools is far behind the advances made in training and nutrition in the private sector.  Many people come out of school with a head filled with outdated theory.  It takes a long time for new discoveries to make it to school curriculum.  That’s why it is so important for a trainer to be passionate about fitness and nutrition.  If he or she is not they will not keep on top of the latest discovery that could help their clients achieve their goals faster.

There are many associations providing certifications for trainers out there. Again some are good, some are not so good.  Anyone with a few hundred dollars and three days to spare can become certified.  Provided they pass their often easy as pie certification test.  Some of the more respected certifications in the industry are ISSA, ACE, of course there are more but at the end of the day the trainers track record and confidence they give you is more important.

I feel that you should sit down with a few trainers you are interested in before you make up your mind.  Try to get a feel for each of them, you are going to spend a fair amount of time with this person so you better make sure you can get along with him or her.  The trainer you choose should be passionate about fitness and nutrition, they should be as excited about your goals as you are.  If they come across weak in your consultation, chances are they will on the gym floor too.

If the trainer you are thinking about works at a gym watch him or her with clients.  I have had people choose me as their trainer after watching me for a few weeks with different clients, seeing how I interact with them and hearing the coaching I give.  I have even had people choose me based on watching me go through my own workout.  Seeing how hard I push myself enforces the mentor relationship.

Once you make your choice, give yourself 100% to your trainer.  You are paying for this person’s expertise, take advantage of it.  I have had clients with a little knowledge (and we all know a little knowledge is a dangerous thing) try to take control of a session.  I remind them that they are paying me to make a change in the body that they couldn’t and that they should listen to me more and offer fewer opinions.  Trainers don’t like to be told how they should train.  Acting like a know it all with your trainer is a sure way to be forced into a vomit inducing workout!

Another thing trainer’s hate is the word “can’t”!  I hate having a client say that they can’t lift something, or do one more rep.  If your trainer is aware of your level of fitness and is reading your body language he or she knows what you are capable of more than you do.  I would never make a client do something that would put them in an unsafe environment.  My clients learn this and put complete control in my hands.

So bottom line, scout out a few trainers before making the final decision.  Ask as many questions as you can and see how the trainer’s answers make you feel.  Feel free to ask for referrals or testimonials.  Inquire about their education but take it with a grain of salt, the proof is on the floor not a piece of paper hanging on the wall.

At Emerge all our trainers are certified and passionate about what they do.  Our record speaks for itself and present and past clients are always available to assure you that you are making the right decision joining Emerge.