Finding a personal trainer takes more than just going to your local gym and signing up for personal sessions with the first available exercise specialist. You need to assess your fitness needs and personal preferences and find a fitness expert that matches that profile.

Education

You might have your eye on a very physically fit personal trainer who looks personable and competent, but make sure they are certified to train others. While your trainer doesn’t have to have a four-year college degree, , they should be well educated and certified to practice their trade through a nationally accredited institute such as the American College of Sports Medicine.

Gender

Men often work well with women trainers, and vice versa, but if you’re not comfortable working out in front of the opposite sex, don’t be afraid to ask for a man or woman in particular. Most gyms will be happy to accommodate you.

Experience

Fitness experts need to be at least 18 years old to get certification. However, you might not want to get an upstart right out of college. Depending on your workout needs, you might want to opt for someone who has had experience with several other clients – you don’t necessarily want to be a young trainer’s first student.

Goal-Oriented

Consider interviewing personal trainers to determine how well they’ll be able to help you. It’s important to weed out the ones that won’t work for your needs. For instance, if you’re a 40-something woman who needs to lose an extra 10 pounds, picking a bodybuilder who would rather be participating in mixed martial arts isn’t necessarily your best bet. 

Request someone who knows how to get you from where you are to where you want to be. This person will listen to your goals and work out a fitness program accordingly.

Expense

You want the best personal trainer money can buy, but personal trainers don’t typically run cheap. Consider how much of your budget you’re willing to spend on improving your image and choose a personal trainer who fits that budget. If you can’t afford their price, consider shortening the personal session times.