Personal trainer Kenneth Hensen pushes his trainee to work out harder than she might on her own.
Your Health
Finding Your Fit
Want to see real results? Consider hiring your own personal trainer.
Strategies for staying fit and healthy are as diverse as the individuals who follow them, and an increasing number of Americans hire personal trainers to help them reach their health and fitness goals.

Why hire a trainer? When you pay somebody to oversee your training, you’ll be more likely to stick with it. Working out with a trainer also can be more fun because you’re training with and motivated by another person.

Get referrals for trainers from people you know and trust, and then spend at least an hour with an individual trainer before you decide to work with him or her. Realize that, by hiring a trainer, you are turning your body over to that person.

“Look at the trainer’s past (clients) by age, physical condition and any physical problems they have,” says Larry Leas, director of training and development for four Gold’s Gym facilities in the metropolitan area. “Make sure he or she is certified and can accommodate your schedule. Your trainer should also carry liability insurance for a minimum of $1 million.”

Two good certifying organizations are the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE). A college degree, in some form of exercise science, is another plus. A trainer’s style is also important.

“Does the trainer do cross-training versus slow movements versus weight loss, toning and strengthening?” asks Kenneth Henson, owner/trainer with The Crosstraining Club. “How much   experience does he or she have with your age group and any related health and aging issues?”

Next, check out the training environment. Make sure the equipment works and the facility is clean.

“Go to a reputable club or personal training studio,” recommends Stephen Todd, owner of The Firm Athletic Club, “and ask management, ‘What is your trainer turnover?’ A red flag is when they say, ‘All of our trainers will help you reach your goal.’ You want a trainer who understands your goals and is willing to push you beyond your comfort zone.”

Money + time = results
You can work out at home if you have high-quality equipment or go to a gym and work out independently, but many exercise enthusiasts say you’ll get better results if you use a trainer.

Most trainers recommend three to four workout sessions per week in order to remove toxins that naturally build up in the body because of everyday stresses. Personal trainers may charge anywhere from $35 to $90 per hour, which is the length of a typical training session. Think of this as an investment in your health since you’ll likely spend upward of $500 a month or $6,000 per year for a personal trainer.

Most athletic facilities tend to be busiest between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. If scheduling is an issue, a couple of weekly sessions with your trainer and a couple more on your own may keep you in line.

“The optimum schedule depends upon the client, (his or her) fitness background and short- and long-term goals,” Todd says. You might meet with your trainer two to three times per week for a month, over six weeks, followed by a maintenance phase in which the trainer works with you once a week while you follow his or her guidelines during your other training sessions.

Nutritional support
You can’t out-exercise a bad diet, according to Kenneth, who says nutrition should be a huge part of your health and fitness goals.

It’s important to establish that a personal trainer — and the facility in which you will train — knows something about nutrition, whether the trainer knows this information or knows how to utilize computerized nutrition programs. He or she should assess your initial nutrition status and reassess it on a regular basis.

“You must be willing to make adjustments to your diet,” Todd says. “Nutrition impacts how quickly you will gain muscle and strength.”

Finally, decide whether a specific personal trainer will inspire you to do   your best in order to attain your health and fitness goals.

“Is this person fit?” Kenneth asks. “Does he or she lead by example?”

By following a few simple guidelines and lifestyle changes set by a trainer, you’ll be on your way to
bettering your health and reaching your desired level of fitness in no time.