Selecting a Personal Trainer

You're thinking about working closely with a personal trainer to help you get in shape and exercise safely. How do you find and choose the right one for you?

Ask about in-house personal trainers at your local fitness center. You can also contact the American College of Sports Medicine (www.acsm.org) for their database of ACSM-certified trainers. ACSM can also clarify the necessary qualifications and training for fitness professionals.

Interview the personal trainer and find out if they have the following:

An accredited four-year college degree in a health and fitness field

Certifications and advanced trainings from a nationally recognized organization

Certification in first aid and CPR

Liability insurance

Years of experience

References

When selecting a personal trainer, also find out:

What type of clients they work with - women only, men only, seniors, etc.

Their personality and style as a trainer

What kind of fitness assessments they offer

How much they charge

The length of the session

What's included in the session

Their cancellation policy

Be sure to ask questions to make the best possible decision. You ultimately want a sound workout program that will meet your needs and help you to achieve your goals.