Keeping a regular work out regimen can be tough. It can be a bit easier, however, when there’s someone by your side, guiding you. Personal trainers provide you with the critical knowledge and skills to complete an effective fitness program and achieve optimal health.
Long Island has thousands of personal trainers across its many gym facilities and in-home services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13 percent increase in fitness trainer employment through 2028. With this many to choose from, how do you find a personal trainer on the island that’s right for you?
The answer to this question varies, based on your needs—such as where you want to complete your exercise program, how you need to be motivated, and whether you have any special requirements.
Location
Before you jump to weeding out a personal trainer by personality match, you’ll want to decide where you want to work out. The three main options are: in a gym, private studio, or your home. The one you choose depends on your personal preferences and the amount of time you have to commit. Both private-studio and in-home sessions are more intimate.
Credentials
Next, you’ll want to check their qualifications, such as education. The personal trainer you choose should be able to provide a fitness certification from The American Council on Exercise, National Academy of Sports Medicine or National Strength and Conditioning Association. Each exam asks different questions, but covers basics including exercise physiology, training and exercise procedures, nutrition, and weight management. Some trainers have a high school diploma or GED, while others may hold college degrees in exercise science or kinesiology. Requirements will vary based on the health institution.
Keeping a regular work out regimen can be tough.
Personality & Attitude
The final criteria you’ll want to examine include personality traits and characteristics. A great personal trainer will be patient, understanding that each client has different abilities and some programs may not work for everyone. They tend to use the first training session as an assessment, where they learn a client’s needs and goals. Then, they’ll create a regimen based on those objectives with the client’s capabilities in mind. This may mean some clients go at a slower pace than others.
Communication is key to any relationship, including with your trainer. The ways they show their support or attempt to motivate you must align with your needs. You may be the type of person who requires an instructor to get loud about the workout, yelling about your achievements. Or, a more subdued trainer who offers soft words of encouragement might be your ideal teacher. You’ll have to test the waters to see which personality type gets you motivated.
Having a communicative relationship is also important because your trainer should be able to explain your workouts and why they’re necessary in simple terms, so when they’re not around, you can still conquer them.
Once you’ve considered all these factors, you should be able to find the personal trainer that will help you to best meet your fitness goals.
