You decided to get off the couch and head to the gym to lose some weight or get back in shape. Great! Now that you’re there, you’re finding that you don’t know what to do or how to stay motivated to keep working out or pushing yourself harder.
You might need a personal trainer. Personal Trainers work at fitness centers or privately, visiting you at home or work to help you stay on track with your fitness goals.
About 37 percent of the people looking for a personal trainer are beginners who are out of shape, according to IDEA Health & Fitness Association, a San Diego-based organization for fitness professionals. Even if you’re an old pro at working out, you may not know what to look for in a personal trainer. Here are some tips that well help you find someone who is a good fit and will help you achieve your fitness goals.
Certifiable
Once you find someone who can potentially be your personal trainer, ask if they have certification from a legitimate certification body. This is one of the most important aspects to know when learning what to look for in a Personal Trainer San Diego. While there are more than 70 organizations certifying trainers, look for certifications from The American College of Sports Medicine, National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise some of the most recognized and sought after certifications for personal trainers.
You can visit all three Web sites to check whether your personal trainer does indeed have those certifications. Personal trainers can also be certified athletic trainers (National Athletic Trainer’s Association), strength and conditioning coaches (CSCS) or exercise physiologists.
You also want to make sure your personal trainer is keeping his certification current. Personal trainers also continue to take classes, seminars and other continuing education courses to keep their certification updated. Your personal trainer should also be currently certified in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator.
A History Lesson
Before you do one pushup, your personal trainer should take your medical history. Your trainer should want to know if you have medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, fibromyalgia and scoliosis or any musculoskeletal or orthopedic injuries. He should also ask for your fitness goals and assess your starting weight and body composition. Don’t forget to sign the informed consent form.
Goal-Driven
Your fitness regimen should take into consideration not only your goals but your needs too. Make sure you’re getting a good mix of cardio and strength training. Men often neglect their lower body so they need to make sure their trainer works out their quads and hamstrings as much as their upper body. Office workers tend to need work on the rhomboids and hamstrings.
