Where can I find personal trainers in my area? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

Where can I find personal trainers in my area?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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Get the Basics...
  • Word of mouth is a great way to find a trainer.
  • Many trainers work through local gyms.
  • When you’re looking for the right trainer, be sure to check their specialties.

The first step to reaping the benefits of working with a personal trainer is finding the right trainer to work with. While it may take some digging to find the professional for you, there are several resources that you can use to find the person you’re looking for.

Organizations that educate and certify professional trainers can be a great place to start.

Your gym may have in-house trainers or a referral service. Word of mouth can also be a great way to find someone in your area. You might use a combination of all of these methods to find the right person for the job.

Or, you might decide to give online personal training a go. For access to online personal trainers that can help you reach your health and fitness goals, sign up for a PRO plan today.

Check a Certification Website

Most personal trainers have a certification from one or more fitness organizations. Formal certification is an important part of your trainer’s professional education. It’s also a way that you can find a trainer in your area.

Many organizations that certify personal trainers offer services to help pair you up with the right local professional. A search function on a certifying organization’s website allows you to perform a search for trainers in your local area that hold that particular qualification or certification. You can tailor your search to meet your needs.

For example, you can limit your search terms to a certain number of miles from your home or work. You can take the information you find as a starting point to learn more about what the trainer has to offer.

Ask Around

Word of mouth can be a great way to find personal trainers in your area. Your family and friends may work with a trainer, and their insider knowledge is a great way to get a referral and a review.

You can directly ask your family and friends, or you can send out the call on social media. Your friends can give you names of professionals they know as well as feedback on why they love working with their trainers. You may even opt for training with a friend.

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Check at Your Gym

Most gyms have personal trainers available at their physical locations. You can ask a team member at the gym for information about their personal training services. A gym might have several trainers available with varying specialties and availability. Sometimes, a trainer is an employee of the gym.

Other times, they’re an independent contractor who receives referrals and brings in their own clients. A gym might offer information on their website about the trainers they have available. Talking to representatives at a local gym is a great way to look for the right person for you and your fitness goals.

You may need to be a member of the gym to use a personal trainer there. Similarly, a trainer may have an agreement with the gym that requires them to train clients only at that particular place. The restrictions may mean that you have to have a membership at a specific gym to use a trainer’s services. When you’re doing your research, it’s important to ask any questions that you have in these areas so that you have a clear picture of how things work.

Perform a Web Search

Trainers who are passionate about what they do want to get the word out on the worldwide web. A web search for personal trainers can include your city or neighborhood. Some trainers have their own websites to advertise their services and qualifications.

A trainer’s website probably has contact information for you to get in touch by phone or email to ask questions about availability and the specific services that each trainer offers. In addition to finding an individual trainer’s website, a web search might take you to the personal training pages for gyms in your area.

Finding a gym’s personal training web page can be a great way to link to local professionals and learn about training opportunities at a local gym.

Other websites offer a directory of local trainers that’s searchable based on your location. Search results often list the trainer’s certification and specialties. A directory website may also offer reviews from clients.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can personal trainers come to your house?

Yes! Some personal trainers do train clients in their own homes.

What if I don’t like my personal trainer?

That’s completely okay! Finding a personal trainer that you connect with is important. If you do not like your personal trainer, make sure that you cancel any upcoming appointments to avoid being charged and either ask your gym for a new trainer or ask friends or family if they have any recommendations.

How do I find a personal trainer?

You can either search directly online, ask your local gym, or use our PRO membership to access online personal trainers.

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