Over the past 22 years I've spent thousands of hours training myself as well as hundreds of clients in health clubs throughout Southern California and the U.S.  In that time I've seen and learned a great deal from conversations with my peers and observing various techniques used by some of the best Personal and Athletic Trainers in the industry.  Conversely, I've also witnessed many close calls and actual injuries caused by unqualified "Trainers"  who were using improper training techniques or not paying close attention to their client. 

Are you currently working with or looking to hire a Personal Trainer?   Here are several key points to consider:

• Find a trainer with a nutrition background, or hire a nutritionist/sports nutritionist. All fitness routines whether structured towards improving strength and athletic performance or improving body composition, require a well-integrated nutrition plan in order to progress at an optimal rate and ultimately reach your genetic potential.   Don't wing it; you'll be wasting your time!  

• Find a trainer with over 5 years of practical experience in addition to the above-mentioned credentials.  Five years is sufficient time to establish a high degree of competency with a broad range of clients. 

• Choose a trainer that exemplifies excellent physical condition.  A trainer present physical condition is a prime example of their ability to apply their knowledge and experience to themselves.  (Do they walk the talk.)?

• All Personal Trainers should carry Professional Liability Insurance.

A few pearls of advice

• It's not uncommon to notice trainers not fully focused on their clients during a workout.  To insure the most productive and safe workout possible your personal trainer should be constantly monitoring and critiquing your body position, movement patterns (movement quality), percieved level of exertion, recovery-time between sets, and heart rate.  Your trainer should be completely focused on the quality of your workout.

• Observe trainers working with their clients, if you notice a trainer using the same exercises with every client, avoid them, you're paying the trainer for an individualized training program, not to put you through a cookie cutter workout.

• How often have you seen trainers gabbing away with their clients about current events or last weekend's festivities?  Is this the type of personalized attention you're paying for?  This is not optimal utilization of your time, and a waste of money.  You're paying for results; every minute of your training session should be accounted for.  All conversation during your training session should pertain to your fitness program!

• All well constructed personal training programs should incorporate the following elements: Corrective exercises, flexibility training, core stabilization, functional training, cardiovascular training, strength training, balance/coordination, and nutrition.

Why is working with a trainer in a private One-On-One setting more effective and time efficient than training in an "open to the public" gym environment?

• You pay top dollar for "One-On-One" Personal Training, gym members pay a nominal fee to use the equipment in the facility, yet in many instances you must accommodate club members by waiting your turn to use a machine, or find an alternate one at the far end of the gym.  Interruptions like this slow the tempo of your workout and interferes with the proper sequencing of the exercises in your routine.