What to Consider When Considering a Personal Trainer

I recently came across an article entitled “10 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Personal Trainer.”  As the Director of Operations for a Personal Training company, and a certified trainer myself, naturally, I was intrigued.   What exactly is recommended to look for?  And more importantly, how are we able to addresses these questions and concerns?

Below is the list from the Huff Post outlining the 10 things to consider when looking for a personal trainer with a little information about how Swamp Fitness can help aid in your hiring decision! 

1.) Credentials

YES, absolutely. You MUST make sure your trainer has a credible certification AND keeps it up to date! (This included Continuing Education!) All of the Swamp Fitness trainers are required to hold an active certification.

2.) Experience

We require all of our trainers to have at least one year of experience before they are eligible to apply.

3.) Personality

Swamp Fitness prides ourselves on our “trainer match” process. That means we will match you with the trainer that we think will be the best fit for you based on your personality, preferences, and goals. Would you like a cheerleader and encourager? Or would you prefer more of a drill sergeant that gives you a little more tough love? Let us know, and we can match you appropriately!

4.) Philosophy

Have strong feelings about certain types of exercise or nutritional preference? We will go over all of these things and more during the consultation where we gather information to help us make the best trainer and/or dietitian match!

5.) Specialities

Do you want a trainer who has a specialty in corrective exercise or yoga, for example? Let us know during the consultation!

6.) Cost

The cost of a personal training program is an investment in your health and it’s always a good idea to review your personal budget to determine if this is a good fit for you. We offer quite a few different program options in order to ensure each client is getting the customization they need, and therefore, our prices do vary quite a bit. During the consultation, we will get a better idea of the best program options for each individual and can then make a recommendation on a package and discuss the associated pricing.

7.) Availability

Our trainers will travel to you on your schedule! We have a client who trains at 5am and one who trains at 8pm! Are you a morning person or a night owl? Let us know your preferences in the consultation and we will do our best to accommodate!

8.) Location

One of the best on the list, in my opinion, because with Swamp Fitness, you get to choose the location!  We travel to you! What is most convenient for you?  Your personal trainer can come to your home, your office, or even meet you at a public park if you prefer outdoor workout sessions!  We also offer virtual personal training and nutritional coaching, adding convenience and removing travel time as a barrier. 

9.) Progress

When you sign up for a program with Swamp Fitness, you aren’t just getting workouts. Let’s be honest, you could get that from YouTube! You’re getting a program, full of support and encouragement, specifically designed for you. We offer optional monthly assessments to help you measure and track your progress. Your team of health professionals will be in constant contact with one another, tweaking and adjusting your program, and making sure you are getting the proper coaching to help you reach your goals!

10.) Reputation

I’ll let our clients comment on this one. Check out our 5-Star Google Reviews and YouTube page to see what our clients have to say about their experiences working with us.

Overall, these are all excellent things to keep in mind when considering working with a personal trainer, however, this list can seem overwhelming!  Let us help remove some of the burden.  Fill out the contact form or give us a call to get started today! 

References Cited: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/choosing-a-personal-trainer_b_6085318

Author: Sarah Kunkler, NASM Certified Personal Trainer Gainesville FL; NASM Personal Trainer Ocala FL