Qualities of a Great Personal Trainer
Most people find themselves vulnerable inside the gym—the intimidating workout equipment and personal trainers present. To overcome your initial anxiety, you need a personal trainer, so you feel comfortable enough to lower your guard and make you feel comfortable to achieve your health and fitness goals.
Don’t think you’re just being picky—they’re called “personal” trainers for a reason. Since they will be your partner as you begin your journey, they should fit with your personality.
Clients will need to do more research to find the right personal trainer or fitness coach. It’s important to consider everything from what your trainer wears to how they talk.
In this blog, we cover the qualities to look for in a personal trainer to tips on preparing you for your first session.
Five qualities you should look for in personal trainers:
1. Patience and Honesty
This should be the number one quality you look for. As the cliché goes, achieving your fitness goal will not happen overnight, and patience is the key to a good client-trainer relationship.
Personal Trainers understand that you will have many questions and clarifications you might want to ask them and not take them against you. They should not also want to see results since what works for one client may not work for another. Your personal trainer should do an assessment of your body, as well as take into consideration your needs, wants, restrictions and the like.
Trainers should also be truthful, transparent and honest to their clients no matter what. They should not give you false promises and hopes but reassure you that they will be with you every step of the way.
2. Great Communication Skills
A good trainer will be a great communicator, especially when discussing the technical part of working out you should know. They should be able to explain to you the implications of your nutrition, workout and generally how the body works scientifically.
During sessions in which they can’t be with you inside the gym, they should be able to explain things to you on the phone and give clear instructions on how to make certain moves without physically being present through every workout.
Since communication is a two-way street, they should also encourage feedback from you and try their best to make you feel comfortable enough to say your honest thoughts, whether you’re having a hard time or when you feel like there’s no improvement.
3. Professionalism
Despite the relationship you’re cultivating with them, they are still doing their job. You can befriend your personal trainer, but a certain level of professionalism should still be clear for both of you.
This would mean that sessions should not be compromised by hours of story-telling or routines made easier because the both of you became friends. At the same time, there should be fairness regarding fees and charges. The duration of your training session, the location and the experience level of your personal trainer will dictate the cost of your session.
4. Educated and Well-trained
Because there is nothing more convincing than a person who can do a great job aside from their resume and credentials, it is important that you take time to read and understand their credibility based on their education and training.
In Australia, aspiring trainers should study a full course and pass the necessary qualifying tests and accreditation. Most cover exercise physiology, training and exercise procedures, nutrition, functional anatomy of the body and weight management.
Personal trainers and fitness instructors must also hold public liability insurance to ensure that they are covered in case of any accidents or injuries that may occur during a training session.
Verifying that your personal trainer or fitness instructor has the necessary certifications and insurance before starting your sessions is important. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you are working with a qualified and responsible professional who has your safety in mind.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request proof of certifications and insurance, as it’s your right as a client to ensure that you are working with a qualified and trustworthy personal trainer. Remember, choosing the right personal trainer can make all the difference in achieving your fitness goals.
Regardless of accreditation, great personal trainers take it as a responsibility to stay up-to-date with the latest fitness trends, go beyond basic nutrition advice and engage with new research published in scientific journals to ensure continuous physical and mental development.
5. Great Personality
As a client, you want to feel comfortable and trust that your personal trainer has your best interest in mind. Believe it or not, personal trainers are one of the few people who will see you at your lowest point, when you look your worst, and you should feel okay with it.
Like a friend, they should be understanding and ready to listen and compromise. But at the same time, a trainer, should stick to their rules and not let you slack off your workout routine and program.
4 Tips to Prepare you For Your First Personal Training Session:
1) Identify your health and fitness goals
Being clear on what you want to achieve from your personal training sessions will help you get the most out of your sessions and create a line of clear communication with your personal trainer.
Do you want to build strength, lose weight or create a healthy lifestyle? Are you eager to do challenging exercises, or would you prefer low-intensity training? These are all things that you can discuss with your new personal trainer, but taking the time to think about what you really want to achieve out of working with a personal fitness trainer will prepare you for success.
2) Number of Sessions
How many sessions are you looking to do per week, fortnight or month? Being clear on the number of personal training sessions you can commit to is important for both you and your personal trainer. This information will help your trainer design a workout plan that fits your schedule and goals. It’s important to be realistic about the number of sessions you can commit to, as consistency is key to achieving your fitness goals. Your trainer can also help you create a personal training schedule that works with your other commitments, such as work, family, or social activities. Discussing this with your trainer before starting your sessions will help you stay on the same page and make the most out of your time together.
) Think about the qualities you want in a personal trainer
Choosing the right personal trainer is essential for your fitness journey. Therefore, it’s important to consider the qualities you want in a personal trainer before starting your sessions. Here are a few qualities to consider:
- Experience and expertise: Look for a personal trainer with experience and knowledge in the areas you want to improve. For instance, if your goal is to build muscle or lose weight, look for a trainer who specialises in this area of personal training.
- Communication skills: A good personal trainer should be able to communicate well and listen to your concerns. They should be able to explain exercises and their benefits in a way that you can understand, applying their advanced knowledge and expertise.
- Adaptability: Everyone’s personal training journey is unique. Therefore, a good personal trainer should be able to adapt their training methods to suit your needs and preferences. They should be willing to modify exercises or workouts to accommodate injuries or other limitations.
- Motivational skills: A personal trainer should be able to motivate and inspire you to reach your goals. They should be positive and encouraging, even when you feel like giving up.
- Professionalism: Look for a personal trainer who is professional and has a good work ethic. They should arrive on time, be well-prepared, and follow ethical and safety guidelines.
By thinking about the qualities you want in a personal trainer, you can choose someone who will support and guide you throughout your fitness journey.
4) Consider your fitness level
Before starting personal training sessions, it’s important to think about your current fitness level and exercise habits. This will help your personal trainer understand your starting point and create a workout plan that is tailored to your needs and abilities. Here are some questions to consider when thinking about your fitness level:
- How often do you currently exercise, and what types of exercise do you enjoy?
- What is your current level of cardiovascular fitness? Can you walk or jog for 30 minutes without stopping, or do you get winded quickly?
- How strong are your muscles? Can you perform basic exercises such as push-ups, squats, or lunges with good form and without pain?
- How flexible are you? Can you touch your toes, or do you feel stiff and inflexible?
- Do you have any health concerns or injuries that may affect your ability to exercise?
By thinking about your fitness levels and exercise habits, you can communicate your needs and goals to your personal trainer. This will help them design a workout plan that is safe, effective, and enjoyable for you. It’s important to be honest and upfront about your current fitness level and any limitations you may have, as this will help your personal trainer create a program that works for you. Remember, the goal is to improve your fitness level and achieve your goals, but this should be done in a safe and sustainable way.
Want to become a personal trainer?
Get the qualifications you need to succeed in the fitness industry with Fitness Industry Training.
Ready to take your passion for fitness to the next level? Don’t wait any longer! Get the qualifications you need to succeed as a personal trainer with Fitness Industry Training. Start your journey today and join the thriving fitness industry.
Our personal training and fitness instructor qualifications:
SIS40221 – Certificate IV in Fitness
The Certificate IV in Fitness is a comprehensive qualification that provides the knowledge and skills required to work as a personal trainer or fitness instructor. This course covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, client assessment and programming, nutrition and exercise science, and business planning and marketing. Graduates of this course are qualified to design and deliver fitness programs, conduct health assessments, and provide nutritional advice.
SIS30315 – Certificate III in Fitness
The Certificate III in Fitness is an entry-level qualification that provides the foundational knowledge and skills required to work in the fitness industry. This course covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, exercise programming, and fitness instruction. Graduates of this course are qualified to work as fitness instructors, assisting clients with their workouts and helping to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the gym.
You can complete your personal training qualification with Fitness Industry Training with one of our local gym partners in Brisbane or complete your personal training course online!
Enrol now to turn your passion for personal training into a fulfilling career!
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