Personal trainer checklist

This checklist will go a long way in helping you make a decision on which prospective personal trainer you should employ. Listed below are 6 points to consider before buying the services of any UK personal trainer.

1. Qualifications and insurance.
2. Experience
3. Health screening
4. Cost
5. Personality
6. Meeting your personal trainer

1. Qualifications and insurance
All UK based personal trainers should hold a recognised health, fitness or exercise qualification and be first aid qualified. If they are not fully qualified then NEVER employ them to be your personal trainer. Qualifications can come in many guises. Some personal trainers may hold a degree in sports science or a postgraduate award in exercise. Others may hold NVQ's or a personal training diploma awarded by a specific fitness training provider.
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2. Experience
Personal training is much more than exercise supervision. A good personal trainer should have knowledge and experience of dealing with an array of exercise and fitness issues including cardiovascular fitness, resistance technique, core stability, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, speed and power and weight loss, to name but a few. A word of caution - Beware the personal trainer that says they can do it all! Ultimately they can't.

Ask to see their client portfolio (clippings and charts of client progress, before and after shots etc) or ask to speak to a previous / current client. Also ask the trainer questions covering cost, availability, experience of detailing with specific issues etc. Questions to ask a personal trainer

If after this point you like what you see and hear then book an appointment for Stage 1 of your personal training programme.

3. Health screening
Stage 1 should always comprise of a health screening*. This should include:

• A Pre Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ).
• Blood pressure and heart rate measurement.
• Body fat measurement.
• Discussion of client exercise aims and objectives.

If any part of the health screening uncovers contraindications to exercise - high blood pressure, diabetes, prescription drugs, history of heart disease etc. - then the personal trainer should always refer you to a doctor BEFORE taking you on as an exercising client.

4. How much will a personal trainer cost?
Personal trainers, really good personal trainers will always be in demand. Motivational trainers, or trainers to the stars, can charge figures that would make your eyes water.

However the majority of trainers will charge between £25 - £60 per hour, depending on their experience, knowledge, travel fees and equipment.

5. Personality
A good personal trainer will be a great communicator and a consummate professional. They should be able to spur you on to new fitness heights, but this shouldn't occur via bullying, shouting or bribery - okay many the latter!

The point is is that a personal trainer is someone that costs you money, and as such the experience should be enjoyable, uplifting and rewarding.

6. Meeting a personal trainer
It is advisable to meet a new personal trainer for the first time in a public place (a park, gym, restaurant etc.). For reasons of personal security never invite a new personal trainer to your home when you are alone.