Articles < ARTICLE LISTINGS
[click to view articles from edition 1 | edition 2 | edition 3 | edition 4 | edition 5 | edition 6]

Finding the Right Personal Trainer

If you want to lose weight, get healthy and build muscle, hiring a personal trainer can be a wise decision. A professional trainer can help you set up a program that meets your goals and teaches you the best way to exercise. For many busy people knowing that using their ‘workout time’ to its fullest potential is critical.

Lee Skinner, a local trainer in the San Antonio area, offers his suggestions when searching for a personal trainer that’s right for you.

According to Lee, the first item to consider is education and training, including:

EDUCATION – Bachelor’s degree or higher (exercise related field is most appropriate)

CERTIFICATION – Because the certification of personal trainers is unregulated, there are dozens of credentials that are easy to obtain and require no real knowledge of training. Lee recommends a certification that is NCCA accredited. The National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA) was created in 1987 by the Institute of Credentialing Excellence (ICE) to help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public. Certification programs that receive NCCA Accreditation demonstrate compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs, which were the first standards for professional certification programs developed by the industry. Multiple certifications should be preferred because it shows the trainer is interested in advancing their knowledge of the field and staying up to date with information.

EXPERIENCE – Setting a good example, good communication skills and reference are also important things to look for.

“A good personal trainer should always perform a proper evaluation, spending ample time getting to know the client both on a personal level and a fitness level,” says Lee. “Before the exercise program is written and followed by a client, a trainer should do a complete evaluation including medical history, using a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), fitness assessment, biomechanical analysis, and goal setting. The trainer should also pay attention during sessions and be actively engaged with the client for the entire session,” says Lee.

There are many benefits to working with a trainer, including creating a plan of action to reach your health/fitness goals, reduce the risk of injury during exercise and learning how to do correct and beneficial exercises using proper frequency, intensity, duration, and technique.

For questions or to contact Lee, please visit his website at WholeLifeFitness.net or call 210-663-9125.