What is the process to get set up with a Personal Trainer?

Meet your trainer halfway

Whether you’re a healthy person looking to prevent a chronic disease or someone wanting to treat a chronic condition, exercise plays an important role.

Having an expert, like a Personal Trainer, can help you execute a plan to fight chronic disease.

Follow these 3 steps to get you on the path towards being healthier.

Step One: Find a Certified Personal Trainer. Start by calling your local gyms and YMCA. You should ask to speak with a Personal Training Manager or Wellness Director. Ask the following questions: What are the credentials of your Personal Trainers? You should only work with a Personal Trainer that is certified through a national organization like ACSM, ACE, and NETA. At the Baxter YMCA, all of our trainers are nationally certified and most have a degree in either Exercise Science or Kinesiology. What is the process to get set up with a Personal Trainer? You should be able to meet with a Personal Trainer one time for free before you commit. Before or during your free session, the Personal Trainer should collect information regarding your health history. If you are considered to be high risk due to recent cardiac events, etc., you may need a doctor’s clearance. What is the cost and payment structure of your Personal Training Program? Personal Training is an additional cost, and it’s good to know the prices before going into it. Don’t be afraid to call around and compare facilities, but be careful with those gyms that claim to offer “free Personal Training”. Dig deeper and ask the qualifications of their trainers.

Step Two: Setup Your Appointment. After deciding on the facility, you can set up an appointment with a Personal Trainer. Treat this session as an interview. Is this person someone you are compatible with? Did they ask you about your goals and your barriers in reaching them? Did they listen and respect your limitations and capabilities? Your Personal Trainer is a companion. Make sure it’s someone you’ll enjoy spending time with. Your Personal Trainer should also go over pricing and program options with you during this session. Pay attention to the structure. Buying a bulk number of sessions to use at any time doesn’t promote consistency and, therefore, will not help you reach your goals. At the YMCA, we setup our Personal Training as a program where you pay monthly for ongoing sessions without the start and stops. Consistency is key in meeting your goals.

Step Three: Do Your Part. You’re setup and ready to go with a trainer, and you have a responsibility to meet that trainer halfway. They’ll do all that they can to help you during those 1-2 weekly sessions, but you’re responsible for the other 5-6 days. If they give you homework outside of your regularly scheduled sessions, do it. If you set nutrition goals together, follow them. Personal Training is a two way street. Yes, the trainer is there to motivate, guide, and encourage, but, ultimately, you are the person that decides if you’re going to do what it takes to get healthier.