How to find the right fitness coach: Regardless of whether you’re new in the fitness world or you’re experienced, a personal trainer can make an impact when it comes to your fitness goals. With the wrong coach, you can fall short of your fitness goals, with pain, loss, and illness. But the right coach will help you get the body you’ve always dreamt of.

However, finding the right fitness coach may not be easy as it sounds. The mistake do is to choose fitness coaches without doing the research beforehand. They don’t look into the background, speak with previous clients, or ask about their training. But instead, base on friends’ recommendations and blind trust.

In this article, we look at tips on how to find the right fitness coach for you, to help you spot the difference between a bad fitness coach and an amazing coach.

To begin with, who is a fitness coach? Other names are used for a fitness coach.

A fitness coach is simply a professional in the field of fitness and exercise. This includes professional sports club fitness trainers, yoga instructors, and authors of fitness instruction books or manuals.

All Personal trainers and health fitness specialists fall under this category. A fitness coach creates a one-on-one fitness program with their clients, motivates and guides them on attaining their fitness goals including weight loss, strength training, toning, or overall.

Why do you need a fitness coach or personal trainer?

Fitness coaches and personal trainers aren’t for only celebrities or high-ranking corporate executives. Regardless of your age, fitness level, or income level, you need help to meet your health and fitness goals

Personal trainers and fitness coaches give motivation, expert instruction on how to perform several exercises and routines, keep a close eye on their clients while they exercise, and show them correct techniques to minimize injury and maximize your fitness results in minimum time. They also offer advice on nutrition, weight control, and how to lead a healthier lifestyle.

How to find the right fitness coach/personal trainer/what certifications should one have?

Below are some of the key points we think can help you on how to find the right fitness coach.

1. Determine Your Goals

The starting point of this all is; knowing your fitness goals. Do you want to lose weight, or you simply want to gain muscle and strength. If you clearly define your goals, you can easily find a coach or personal trainer who has expertise in your area of focus. For example, if you want to become a professional runner, be sure you work with a certified running coach.

2. Enquire at your favorite gym

If you have a favorite gym, that is a very nice place to get information from. At most gym receptions, you will find short biographies of fitness coaches and personal trainers. You can pick on one basing your own personal goals. The biography has information like the length of time he or she has been training for, Where he or she receive their education and certification, and His or her areas of specialty.

3. Consult with former clients

Do extensive research; get to online platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other websites. These can give reviews from their past clients, photos of before and after of clients to give you some kind of picture of success these coaches or trainers have got.

4. Ask for a Consultation

Ask for a consultation to talk to various fitness coaches about your goals and a short training session where possible. During this time, you can ask as many questions, study their characteristics, personality traits, training style, and what they are good at. This will build communication and trust before you enter any agreement.

5. Certification

Many associations such as the American Council on Exercise, the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Strength, and the American College of Sports Medicine offer certifications. Find out the association, group, or institution that certified him or her.

6. Cost

This again depends on several factors including where you live, the place where you are likely to train from, either gym or at your home, and the number of sessions per week. However, it is important to look at this as an investment in your health. Otherwise, cost should not necessarily be the major determining factor.

7. Check if they fit your qualities

Now that you have outlined a few names of fitness coaches or personal trainers, the next step is ascertaining whether any of them possess the qualities of a good fitness coach. The qualities to look for in a fitness coach may include;

Passion for fitness: The best fitness coach lives, eats, sleeps, and breathes fitness.

Empathy and compassion: He or she should be understanding, encouraging, and 100% supportive.

Good at communication: this is very essential when it comes to fitness training. A good coach should be a good listener, and elaborate. This is because most times during the training sessions, he or she will need to explain why certain exercises are performed a certain way.

Critical thinking: A fitness coach should have this aspect. During training sessions, certain fitness states such as plateau and more need a smart coach to handle. They should be in a position to assess, correct or alter exercises to see attain their fitness goals.

Professionalism: A professional will always have accurate assessments and a clear program for you to have a fruitful fitness journey.

Are fitness apps better than a fitness coach?

Technological advancements have revolutionized the way people keep fit. Virtual exercising has become more accessible. People are much less reliant on personal trainers and are now opting for wearable tech, gadgets, and fitness apps at our disposal. So, should we trade personal trainers and fitness coaches for a fitness app?

Let’s first look at the advantages of fitness apps over fitness coaches or personal trainers.

1. Fitness apps are affordable. It is very cheap to download a fitness app compared to 45-60 pounds of hiring a personal trainer.
2. With fitness apps, you get a variety of workouts compared to a customized fitness plan designed by one personal trainer or fitness coach.
3. Fitness apps give you the liberty of tracking your own progress. You can set up a plan according to your personal goals, unlike personal trainers who have their own way of tracking progress.
4. With fitness apps, you work out at your own schedule. This means you can exercise at any convenient time. This however is not the case with fitness coaches. They need their downtime plus time with other clients, which limits their availability.

Why personal trainers are better than fitness apps

1. Personal trainers have the power to educate
2. They cater to clients personal requirements
3. Together they help you set long term achievable goals
4. They keep you accountable for your fitness routine
5. Trainers can better mental well-being which may not be the case with apps
6. They challenge you in a way your family member or friend can not
7. Personal trainers teach you to minimize time waste to maximize results

In a nutshell, the options one may choose depends on personal preference, budget, and level of comfort with technology. But in both cases, your level of dedication, time invested, effort, and consistency determines how to fit you’ll eventually get.

How to find an online fitness coach/what should I consider? Also; where do I find fitness coaches online?

Technology has helped people to succeed at fitness while in some cases it has hindered progress. Technology has enabled growth in coaching and given coaches more platform to connect with their clients outside of the gym.

It is therefore easier to get fit without committing to in-person training sessions. However, with the many options, finding the right online program or coach can be overwhelming.

Here are a few tips to help you track down the right online personal trainer:

1. Like we discussed above, it all begins with knowing what you want/goal. There are many different trainers with different specialties and approaches to fitness. Identify your goals and work towards finding a trainer who best meets your needs and whose training style you best respond to.
2. Do not be carried away by the photos you see on social media like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Carry out a background check. Some trainers look legit online, yet they lack the skill and experience. Check out their degrees, how much training they’ve had, and the number of certifications they have.
3. Do your due diligence; get as much information as you can before hiring a personal trainer. Read reviews online, ask for referrals from former clients, and above all, schedule a consultation call to ascertain that you are dealing with the right trainer.

If you don’t know where to find an online health coach, personal training organizations like ACE and NASM have databases and sites like Trainerize. me and Precision Nutrition which can be a good resource.  There’s no better day than today to start your health and fitness journey, and it will be even easier for you to achieve your goals with a positive, encouraging coach cheering you on. Read more on how to get online fitness coaches here.

What are the signs of a bad personal trainer?

When it is your first time working with a personal trainer or fitness coach, chances are high that you may land on a bad fitness trainer, if you don’t do enough research and if you don’t know what to expect.

Since we have been in the fitness industry and we have partnered with several certified personal trainers for years, let us share some red flags you should know as a client to help you differentiate between incredible trainers from jokers.

Below are some of the many red flags to look out for when working with a personal trainer.

No signs of programing: If your trainer doesn’t have a log or not book of your training sessions, past and present, and the general comments on where your training is heading, take it from me, you’re with the wrong trainer.

They don’t educate you: If your trainer doesn’t give you work outside your training sessions, teach you how to do things for recommend books or teach you how to do things on your own, you’re wasting your time.

Taking more time talking than training: Trainers have to talk. But if you are having more conversations than sets with your trainer, know you are wasting time.

Spends more time on the phone when you’re training: It is infuriating to see a trainer whom you have paid good money, wasting your valuable time checking social media, taking texts and phone calls in the middle of your session.

If they do not emphasize nutrition: with Fitness and bodybuilding, exercise and diet go hand in hand. You cannot achieve your fitness goals alone without proper nutrition undertakings.

They only have one fitness program: Your sessions should be a combination of cardio, weights, strengthening your body, and learning new techniques. If your trainer stands and watches you spend an hour on a piece of stationary equipment, he or she may not be the right trainer for you.

If the trainer does not take measurements: Some trainers only take measurements of your weight probably at the start of the contract. But minus measurements, you can’t know where you are coming from and where you are going. So if he or she takes no measurements, then they’re not worth your time

Complaining a lot: If the trainer complains a lot, that they are more in their comfort rather than you. Otherwise, complaints should never enter the training sessions. In case of too many complaints, quit.

How much does a physique coach Cost?

The cost of a personal trainer varies depending on: Where the client lives (city or small town), the duration of the training sessions offered, the kind of training a client is looking for, and more. But on average, considering various factors that may affect the price, the personal trainer may cost anywhere between $40- $120 for an hour training session.

What are the pros and cons of hiring an online personal trainer?

Online training has a good side and a bad side; you, therefore, can choose it if you can manage the bad side of it.

Let’s begin with the pros of online training

Privilege to fit your schedule: you can train when and where you want. The workout program is planned ahead of time and it’s up to you to fit it in at your convenience.

Constant accountability: No matter where you are, your online trainer comes with you and can always design a program depending on your travel schedule.

Readily available nutritional guide: unlike personal trainers whom you can only access at scheduled times, online trainers can be consulted any time on nutrition choices.

Cost-efficiency: In-person personal trainers are expensive especially if you have to work with them 3 days a week.

Online personal trainers may be the only option: In situations like pandemics, where there is a restriction in movement, you may find that meeting with your trainer online is the only way out.

The cons of an online personal trainer

Because you don’t meet your coach in person, you can easily skip your workout and you actually lie to the online coach that you did it.

You don’t get real-time feedback and instant form check with online personal trainers. Having a coach right there as you train has many benefits. They can guide you through the movement and consistently remind you to keep on form.

With online personal trainers, motivation is certainly low. Even when your pain for monthly online coaching, there’s you may not inherently be motivated to visit the gym when it is raining, cold weather or when you’re tired.

How do I become a fitness coach/personal trainer?

Being good at fitness and having the love and will to help others achieve their fitness goals is a good choice. However, without certification, you cannot practice official personal training.

There are several steps one has to take to get certified as a personal trainer, find employment, and probably come up with an independent business.

Let us briefly walk you through the steps which you may need to become a certified personal trainer or fitness coach.

Earn a high school degree

Most national certification bodies need candidates to have a minimum educational requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent to sit for a certifying examination. Learn Personal Training Degree Programs & Certifications here.

Complete AED/CPR certification

As a trainer, you will come across physical emergencies with clients. You, therefore, need to complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) certification programs.

These programs teach trainers how to handle cardiac or breathing emergencies before professional first responders arrive. AED and CPR certifications are needed by all national personal training certification organization.

Choose a fitness specialty

Fitness is broad and you can’t be a master in every aspect. It is important to specialize in a career path that matches your skill sets, personal interests, and professional goals. You can decide to work in group exercise, Individualized personal training, or fitness programming.

After that, you can now go ahead and look at different fitness certifying bodies, their fitness certifications, and select the program that makes the most sense.

Prepare for certification

From what you have selected, whether Certified Personal Trainer from the American Council on Exercise or National Academy of Sports Medicine, you have to prepare for the certification examination. This includes exam prep courses, multi-session training classes, and more.

Take the certification examination

Before taking the selected certification examination, you need to register first, which includes an application and fee.

The certification exam may be computer-based, and the questions may be from sections such as Program Planning, Client Consultation and Fitness Assessment, Exercise Techniques, and Safety/Emergency Issues.

Apply for jobs and build a portfolio

Now that you have passed the test and you are a certified personal trainer, you can apply for fitness jobs from various fitness settings. There are also several fitness jobs posted online from different fitness organizations.

You can begin by working at a local gym, gain experienced as other opportunities come along. This way, you can build a portfolio of clients, and industry connections which can make you more marketable in the long run.

Bottom line

If you are looking for the right fitness coach, do not base on friends’ recommendations and blind trust. Carry out research beforehand. Look into the background, speak with previous clients, or ask about their training.

Tomorrow may be too late to start your health and fitness journey; now is a perfect time. Get yourself a positive, encouraging, and cheering coach to help you achieve your fitness goals.

Before you sign out, the following articles are worth your time.

How to start bodybuilding for women

Bodybuilding myths and the truth behind them

 

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