How to Find the Best Personal Trainer for You

Sometimes we all need an extra boost (or help getting started) when it comes to training. This is where a personal trainer comes in. Not only can he give you a plan, but he can also help you stick to your goals and perform movements safely and correctly to avoid injury.

But finding the right trainer is like dating — you might have to kiss a few frogs to find your perfect match. And there’s no shortage of fitness pros these days: the hashtag #personaltrainer digs up 48.1 million posts on Instagram, putting a multitude of choices (not all good) in your hands.

A better place to start is at a reputable gym (think big box gyms or even your local gym) to inquire about personal trainers.

Another super effective way to find your personal trainer: referrals. If someone you know has first-hand experience with a particular trainer, they can give you some insight into that pro’s style, personality, and effectiveness. Although a recommendation isn’t a 100 percent guarantee that the trainer will be a good fit for you, you may feel better if the recommendation “comes from someone you respect and who has had good results,” confirmed Darren Ross Personal Trainer and Owner of P13 Fitness, tells LIVESTRONG.com.

However, where to look is only half the battle. After finding a few options, you need to determine which one works best for you.

When you find someone who you think would be a good match for you, there are some questions worth answering. Our experts give us an overview of what to look out for and what could be a red flag.

A certified personal trainer really knows the body, how to train it properly and what works and what doesn’t. Look for credentials from certifying organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), or the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). These and other certifications are awarded by accredited organizations that have used coursework and exams to ensure trainers are proficient in their field.

You also want to make sure that the person you choose is not only certified, but that their certifications are up to date. For example, I am a NASM certified trainer and must complete a certain number of hours of continuing education courses and refresh my CPR/AED training every two years to maintain my certification.

Also, for Ross, those with a degree in exercise science (think exercise physiology, physical therapy, etc.) could be a good indicator of expertise. While Ross admits, “It doesn’t automatically make someone a good coach, but it does signal they’ve mastered the science.”

Specializations also bode well, adds Tara Nicolas, Nike trainer and meditation teacher. “It shows versatility in their training skills,” she says. Furthermore, expertise in one area does not always translate to expertise in another. For example, if you are pregnant, you should look for someone with pre- and postnatal training experience.

When looking for a trainer of his own (yes, trainers have trainers too!), Nicolas looked for someone with a different focus than her own. “I love working with kettlebells, but I also want to learn and grow,” she says. “[Because] I don’t have a lot of barbell experience, I want someone who can help me go beyond what I’ve already experienced and what I already know.”

Certifications mean nothing without hands-on, hands-on experience, which means time in the gym actually trains someone. Think of it this way: if you need a triple bypass, do you want the person in medical school who just read about the procedure to operate on you, or do you prefer the doctor who actually performed the demanding procedure ?

Experience usually means the trainer has amassed a cohort of clients. “If you’ve been training for, say, five years and you’re not employed,” says Ross, that’s a red flag. The goal is to find someone who has no problem keeping customers.

Personal training is all about people, which means your trainer needs to be a social person. “You’re dealing with different emotions, different energies, people going in and out on a bad day,” says Ross. “You have to be able to deal with that. The most successful coaches have the best personalities.”

Even if you spend an hour or so with this person two to three times a week, it’s still important to get along. (Remember: National recommendations advise adults to do at least two days per week of moderate-intensity or vigorous-intensity strength training that involves all major muscle groups.)

We’re not just talking about your form, although your coach should actively correct yours when necessary. By attentive, we mean they took an active interest in you and your progress. You have done a personal assessment to see where you are physically. They take your wants and needs into account. They focus on you during your actual session, not wandering around the gym or scrolling on their smartphone.

A big red flag for Nicolas is when you’ve talked to your trainer about places where you’re prone to pain and injury, and the trainer is constantly giving you exercises that make those problems worse. “If I tell you that I don’t feel well and you don’t listen to me [it’s time] to go,” she says. Ross agrees. “The trainer pretty much has to adapt to your needs when it comes to keeping programming and science in mind,” he says.

Paying for a personal trainer doesn’t come cheap and can be as high as $100 a month. But it can be a worthwhile investment. Regular strength training can strengthen your bones, keep chronic health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and even depression at bay, and improve your overall quality of life.

Ask about prices in advance so you know if someone’s fee is outside of your budget. It’s also worth noting that price often matches experience. “Some people look at the price and say, ‘Oh, I just want the X-Trainer because they’re cheaper,'” says Ross. “But you may not get better value for your money if the lower price means an inexperienced coach.”

Overall, however, says Nicolas for her, “vibes” are what count. “I want to feel like I’m in a safe space, like you’re really listening to me and not just pitching your ideas about what’s going to work for my body,” she says. “They really work with me to create something that feels good to me, is a positive experience and that we can really build on in a safe, fun and healthy way.”