Trainers can cost anywhere from $45 to $200 an hour depending on their professional background, clientele and services. And selecting the right personal trainer for you can be confusing. There are trainers that will just walk you through the same workout that they have down for the last 10 clients and there are the ones that will create an entire plan customized just for. And it all really depends on what you are looking for.

Just a few things to look for in a trainer:

1. ✤What type of certification does my trainer have?  There are so many kinds of certifications out there. Which one is the best? Your trainer should be currently certificated by at least one nationally recognized organization, such as American Council on Exercise (ACE), American Council on Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the National Strength and Condition council (NSCC).  These organizations ensure their personal trainers are up-to-date on the latest scientific research with requiring continued education credits before they can renew.
   

2. ✤Does my trainer carry liability insurance and have a CRP certification? Safety should come first.
   

3. ✤Does the trainer do a full health evaluation and health history screening or require a medical release from your doctor if necessary? Many don’t, some trainers will put you into their typical program right way and eventually talk about your health.
   

4. ✤What type of clients do they work with? What is their area of expertise?
   

5. ✤What type of training style/s do they use? Look for someone who has the style you like. If you are familiar with the show Biggest Loser then you’ll know there several types of styles and some prefer Bob Haper or Jillian Micheals. Both are great and are caring in their own way.
   

6. ✤Look for someone who has a true passion for helping people. Not just someone who was athletic in college and thought this would be a good job to do for a while. I get my many of clients that have had past experiences with of those trainers.
   

Happy Training!