Personal training is about improving people. The traits of a good personal trainer are priceless. Thousands of people around the world employ personal trainers. If you, or someone you know, is looking for a trainer, the traits I list in this article will prove useful.
A personal trainer may assist in many exercise-related goals and can be a guide to help any beginner or advanced exerciser.
Here are a few important traits to look for in a good personal trainer:
EXERCISE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
Practical experience combined with a good, basic knowledge of biology(science) is a huge asset.
Good trainers possess both.
Training certifications are easily obtained on the internet therefore someone with a certificate isn’t necessarily knowledgeable about living a healthy lifestyle.
I always tell others, “make sure that what you’re being taught, by me or anyone else, is backed by experience and sound science”. We all have access to studies and research online.
With a little personal effort we can avoid falling for the many fads and hypes.
KEEPS THINGS SIMPLE
Sometimes personal trainers get carried away with expressing all of their exercise knowledge, even using excessive anatomical jargon.
Keeping things simple by just stating what areas of the body(back, legs, biceps) are being trained will be appreciated by many clients.
Steady barbell training utilizing compound exercises is the way to go for a lifetime. A good trainer will stick to the basics and avoid the latest fads.
Exercises such as the squat, bench press, trap bar deadlift, and other compound movements will be taught because they elicit positive results.
Trying to jump on the bandwagons of fads will almost always lead to frustration for many people.
The late Leroy Colbert said it best, “now you’ve got all kinds of different exercises, the jumps and the whips and all that kind of stuff. I’m not into that! I’m into steady barbell training….all this other stuff is short term, jumping in the air, flipping and flying,…there’s no longevity in it.”
For examples of compound exercises to do, click here.
SETS REALISTIC GOALS FOR THEIR CLIENTS
Unfortunately, fitness marketing has created a lot of unrealistic goals to follow. A good trainer will avoid being unethical and won’t fabricate expectations just to keep their clients happy.
A good trainer will explain that it will take time to become healthier, lose excess fat, and clarify that living a healthy lifestyle is for life, not just a few months.
APPROACHABLE AND DOWN TO EARTH
A good trainer will almost always mesh with their clients’ personalities.
Yes, there has to be a line of professionalism, however being able to build a good rapport with someone is always an asset.
A trainer who is always on their phone, stand-offish, and arrogant may actually be counterproductive to someone’s progress, not to mention disrespectful.
TEACHES BY EXAMPLE
In my personal experiences I’ve seen that most people learn better when I demonstrate the exercises.
A trainer who teaches clients by also performing the exercises, and not just talking, is doing a greater service.
Clients will appreciate the extra effort and positively adapt at a faster pace.
STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF MAXIMIZING NUTRITION
Good trainers know that exercising is only half of the equation. Good dietary supplementation and healthy eating needs to be done in conjunction with healthy living.
One doesn’t have to be a Registered Dietician to know the importance of vitamins and minerals to the human body.
I hope that the aforementioned, highlighted traits of a good personal trainer assist you, or someone you know, in choosing the right person to help achieve your goals.
For frequently asked questions, click here.
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
