When every personal trainer has social proof that they produce great client results, AND they have impressive exercise education, how do you choose the right personal trainer for you? There are so many great options of trainers to work with (and yes, some poor options too), and this key relationship can make a huge difference in your fitness journey. I’m happy to share my tips on how to find a personal trainer!

• #1: Determine what your fitness goals are.  In the past, personal trainers usually were hired for one of two goals; either “weight loss” or “muscle building”, but fitness is eolving, and your goals can too.  Examples of fitness goals you may not have considered are:

  -Reduce daily pain

  -Be able to complete a beautiful hike

  -Squat your bodyweight

  -Complete 1 pushup

  -Finish an endurance cycling ride

Your fitness goal can be as unique as you are, and no matter what it is, there’s a coach out there who can guide you to it. There is no wrong answer when it comes to what you want your fitness goals to be, as long as they are things you actually want to achieve, and not things other people have told you you should want to achieve. 

• #2: Search for a trainer who aligns with your goals.  Pretty much every fitness professional can give you a quality workout.  But exercise, like medicine, has lots of different specialties, so you want to work with someone who specializes in what YOUR UNIQUE goals are.  Write down 1-5 fitness goals that are important to you, and start searching for a trainer whose marketing and client results match those goals.  For instance, you’ll find big differences between searching for a personal trainer who focuses on weight loss versus a running coach or a strength and conditioning specialist.  

  Yelp and Google are good places to start.  But where-oh-where-on-the-world-wide-interwebs is your future personal trainer hanging out?  Youtube and Instagram searches can be very effective.  Chances are, once you’ve narrowed down what you’re looking for based on your goals, you’ll find at least 3 options that seem like a good fit.  I also recommend using resources like

  -Body Positive Fitness Finder

  -NASM Personal Trainer directory

  -Girls Gone Strong Coaches Directory

• #3: Use the proper fitness lingo.  If you’re looking for athletic performance, you have good luck looking for a “Coach” of the sport you’re interested in.  If you want in-person training in your neighborhood, try #sanfranciscopersonaltrainer and input the name of your city.  Also important is what your type of personal trainer uses as a title.  Instead of “personal trainer” here are examples of what different niches use as titles:

  -Strength and Performance Coach

  -Rock Climbing Trainer

  -Pre/Post Natal Specialist

  -Bootcamp Instructor

• #4: Reach out Directly. I recommend reaching out to see who you mesh with IRL.  Remember that the way somebody presents on social media doesn’t always match who they are off screen.  Email and message your potential trainers to set up a phone call or a consultation.  Anyone you want to work with should offer some free or low barrier way to connect with them before investing in their services, whether it’s an informational phone call, a consultation, or some of their pre-recorded free workouts. After chatting with your picks and finding out more about what they can do for you as a client, you’ll have a better idea of who will be a good fit.  Remember, depending on where you live and the services you’re asking for, you’ll be paying between hundreds to thousands of dollars to this person.  You want to make sure it’s someone you enjoy spending time with!

  #5: Ask for Referrals. If you’re still having trouble finding someone that you want to work with, ask for help! Reach out to trainers in your area for referrals, search for a Virtual Trainer, post on your social media or send out an email that you need help finding someone, or check out my other blog on How to Find a Body Positive Personal Trainer.

  
  
  

Use all your resources, like doctors, physical therapists, talk therapists, friends, and family. There’s so many great personal trainers out here, and I’m positive at least one of them is right for you! Have a suggestion on finding a personal trainer that’s not on this list? Comment below, I always love hearing new ways to connect people with great services!

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