3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hiring a Personal Trainer

There is certainly no shortage of personal trainers in Westchester but how do you know if you’re ready, mentally and emotionally to hire a trainer?

Here are the 3 questions you need to ask yourself before hiring a trainer:

1) What are my goals?

Before proceeding be honest with yourself; Where do you see yourself in three months? Six months? Will you lose weight, be strong, live with less pain? Or are you just trying to tone up and be healthy? Knowing exactly what you want from your trainer and yourself, and communicating those goals clearly to them, can help save you from frustration and wasted money that could arise from having undefined goals. Establishing a clearly defined plan will keep you on your path to achieving those goals. Once you have those goals in place, it’s the trainer’s job to carefully design a program and get you there.  The trainer should start by filling in your data to a S.M.A.R.T. goals table. S.M.A.R.T. being an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.

2) What are my limitations?

It’s great to be enthusiastic, but it’s important to know what you are capable of before launching yourself headfirst into a regimen that can leave you injured or sidelined. If you have bad knees, then you don’t want to perform anything too intensely, like running or plyometrics, until your body is ready for it. Limitations aren’t just physical, either. Work schedules and daycare hours can also define when you can or cannot workout, so make sure you plan your training at a time that doesn’t make you feel rushed or stressed.

3) What will a trainer do for me?

Above all else, you need a trainer who will work with you. You need a trainer who will act as a motivator and accountability partner. You need to make sure you trust your trainer and feel comfortable with them to make sure they’ll help you hit your fitness goals without injury while accommodating your goals and needs. The trainer’s expertise should provide you the programming needed to attain your specific goals within a time-period. They should be asking you how you feel and if your goals have changed throughout to be sure you’re both always on the same page.

Choosing a personal trainer can be daunting but having a personal trainer who’s on the same page as you can be the difference between attaining your ideal body or not. If you’re looking for a highly skilled, upbeat, and friendly personal trainer reach out to us at The Studios at Pine Brook Fitness and let us help you achieve your fitness goals!

Peter Marino is the Fitness Director at The Studios at Pine Brook Fitness. He is a certified Health Coach (ACE), Personal Trainer (ACE), and Nutrition Specialist (CNS).