How do you gauge if your trainer is good for you? Every trainer will have his or her own theory, specialisation and style of training, which can get you super results or may Not work for you at all.
Here's a quiz to find out!
1. Have you seen your trainer's qualifications? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes You MUST take a look at your trainer's certification. A lot of trainers pose as being certified but are not. ACE is the number one certification but there are other good programmes too. A certification ensures that the trainer has sound knowledge of the subject and proper training skills. While you will only get to know how good s/he is once you do a few sessions, a certification is the starting point.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes You MUST take a look at your trainer's certification. A lot of trainers pose as being certified but are not. ACE is the number one certification but there are other good programmes too. A certification ensures that the trainer has sound knowledge of the subject and proper training skills. While you will only get to know how good s/he is once you do a few sessions, a certification is the starting point.
Correct! You MUST take a look at your trainer's certification. A lot of trainers pose as being certified but are not. ACE is the number one certification but there are other good programmes too. A certification ensures that the trainer has sound knowledge of the subject and proper training skills. While you will only get to know how good s/he is once you do a few sessions, a certification is the starting point
2. On what basis did you hire your trainer? 1. On a friend's recommendation 2. Advertisement 3. Gym's recommendation
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is On a friend's recommendation. A reliable friend's recommendation is your best option. With advertisements it is tough to say how good s/he will be. Your second best bet is to go with a reputable gym's suggestion, especially if you are doing your sessions in the gym. But always ask around first.
Correct! A reliable friend's recommendation is your best option. With advertisements it is tough to say how good s/he will be. Your second best bet is to go with a reputable gym's suggestion, especially if you are doing your sessions in the gym. But always ask around first.
3. Has your trainer asked you for your medical and fitness history? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes Your medical and fitness history are very essential to the exercise plan. If you had suffered a fracture, or have asthma, the trainer has to factor this in to help improve the condition. Similarly s/he must ask about your fitness levels.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes.Your medical and fitness history are very essential to the exercise plan. If you had suffered a fracture, or have asthma, the trainer has to factor this in to help improve the condition. Similarly s/he must ask about your fitness levels.
Correct! Your medical and fitness history are very essential to the exercise plan. If you had suffered a fracture, or have asthma, the trainer has to factor this in to help improve the condition. Similarly s/he must ask about your fitness levels.
4. 4. Has s/he explained how he is going to get you to your fitness goal? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. Your trainer must explain the fitness plan s/he has in mind for you. This is a chance for you to bring in anything you feel s/he should know, or simply your ideas or things you may be uncomfortable with. Your interaction will help to give better results.
Wrong! The correct answer is YesYour trainer must explain the fitness plan s/he has in mind for you. This is a chance for you to bring in anything you feel s/he should know, or simply your ideas or things you may be uncomfortable with. Your interaction will help to give better results.
Correct! Your trainer must explain the fitness plan s/he has in mind for you. This is a chance for you to bring in anything you feel s/he should know, or simply your ideas or things you may be uncomfortable with. Your interaction will help to give better results.
5. Has s/he included cardiovascular training (walking, running, cycling, swimming, etc) in your plan? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong!The correct answer is Yes. Personal training especially when done at home often overlooks cardiovascular training since it can't be done at home unless you have a cardio machine like a treadmill or stationary bike. Some trainers may do HIIT (high intensity interval training) which has good cardio benefits; but if not s/he should have put you on some cardio plan 4.5 days a week. For eg a 30 minute brisk walk, or swim. Missing out on this training won't make the body burn sufficient fat, strengthen the heart and lungs or improve stamina.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. Personal training especially when done at home often overlooks cardiovascular training since it can't be done at home unless you have a cardio machine like a treadmill or stationary bike. Some trainers may do HIIT (high intensity interval training) which has good cardio benefits; but if not s/he should have put you on some cardio plan 4.5 days a week. For eg a 30 minute brisk walk, or swim. Missing out on this training won't make the body burn sufficient fat, strengthen the heart and lungs or improve stamina.
Correct! Personal training especially when done at home often overlooks cardiovascular training since it can't be done at home unless you have a cardio machine like a treadmill or stationary bike. Some trainers may do HIIT (high intensity interval training) which has good cardio benefits; but if not s/he should have put you on some cardio plan 4.5 days a week. For eg a 30 minute brisk walk, or swim. Missing out on this training won't make the body burn sufficient fat, strengthen the heart and lungs or improve stamina.
6. Are you happy and comfortable enough with the fitness plan? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong!The correct answer is: Yes. Your trainer must design the fitness plan based on your goals, your lifestyle and your personality. You should be happy with it.
Wrong! The correct answer is: Yes Your trainer must design the fitness plan based on your goals, your lifestyle and your personality. You should be happy with it.
Correct! Your trainer must design the fitness plan based on your goals, your lifestyle and your personality. You should be happy with it.
7. Is your trainer willing to accommodate some changes to the plan based on your request? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes If you don't like to do high jumps your trainer should be willing to substitute this justified request. All the same, if s/he is willing to change every request, s/he's being too accommodating for your good.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes If you don't like to do high jumps your trainer should be willing to substitute this justified request. All the same, if s/he is willing to change every request, s/he's being too accommodating for your good.
Correct! If you don't like to do high jumps your trainer should be willing to substitute this justified request. All the same, if s/he is willing to change every request, s/he's being too accommodating for your good.
8. Is your trainer focussing on safety, your form and technique in every exercise? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes Safety, form and technique might seem trivial, but are extremely crucial to exercise. Not warming up, using incorrect form and technique can lead to mild or severe injury as well as make the exercise ineffective. Your trainer should be giving you lots of technique cues on every exercise.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes Safety, form and technique might seem trivial, but are extremely crucial to exercise. Not warming up, using incorrect form and technique can lead to mild or severe injury as well as make the exercise ineffective. Your trainer should be giving you lots of technique cues on every exercise.
Correct! Safety, form and technique might seem trivial, but are extremely crucial to exercise. Not warming up, using incorrect form and technique can lead to mild or severe injury as well as make the exercise ineffective. Your trainer should be giving you lots of technique cues on every exercise.
9. Does s/he explain what each exercise is for? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes A good trainer will tell you exactly what each exercise is for. For eg. a squat is to strengthen the thighs, glutes, some of the lower leg and the back as a stabiliser for the upper body. A good trainer will impart a lot of knowledge so that you become aware of how your body works and how the exercises will affect you.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes A good trainer will tell you exactly what each exercise is for. For eg. a squat is to strengthen the thighs, glutes, some of the lower leg and the back as a stabiliser for the upper body. A good trainer will impart a lot of knowledge so that you become aware of how your body works and how the exercises will affect you.
Correct! A good trainer will tell you exactly what each exercise is for. For eg. a squat is to strengthen the thighs, glutes, some of the lower leg and the back as a stabiliser for the upper body. A good trainer will impart a lot of knowledge so that you become aware of how your body works and how the exercises will affect you.
10. How do you rate your trainer's motivational skills? 1. Just the right amount to make me work hard but not too hard 2. Poor, sluggish. Barely motivates 3. He doesn't know when to stop!
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is Just the right amount to make me work hard but not too hard. Your trainer is in charge of getting you going. Lack of motivation will demotivate you, where as overdoing it might put you off.
Correct! Your trainer is in charge of getting you going. Lack of motivation will demotivate you, where as overdoing it might put you off.
11. Does your trainer include various element of training like balance, functional training, agility, plyometrics, stretching, count variations and so on? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. A mix of exercise elements is important for overall fitness and makes it interesting too. While the trainer should be focussed on your goal, s/he is also in change of your all round fitness.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. A mix of exercise elements is important for overall fitness and makes it interesting too. While the trainer should be focussed on your goal, s/he is also in change of your all round fitness.
Correct! A mix of exercise elements is important for overall fitness and makes it interesting too. While the trainer should be focussed on your goal, s/he is also in change of your all round fitness.
12. How do you rate his/her level of interest in training you? 1. S/he's really keen to get me to my goal; keeps the workouts interesting and motivating. 2. S/he's ok 3. S/he's got high expectations. Pushes me way too hard.
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is Your trainer should be keen to help you get your goal. S/he should come in looking eager to your session, keen to help and see improvement. Be wary of those who are way too enthusiastic. Sometimes they are out to prove their own goals of client results where in they push you beyond what you set out for.
Correct! Your trainer should come in looking eager to your session, keen to help and see improvement. Be wary of those who are way too enthusiastic. Sometimes they are out to prove their own goals of client results where in they push you beyond what you set out for.
13. Are you happy to see and interact with your trainer? 1. Yes, s/he's great! 2. Sometimes 3. Not really! I just want to get the job done.
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes Your rapport with your trainer can quite easily be the make or break of your fitness programme. Getting along well and feeling understood makes you eager for your workout sessions and becomes a long term relationship which is great for you.
Correct! Your rapport with your trainer can quite easily be the make or break of your fitness programme. Getting along well and feeling understood makes you eager for your workout sessions and becomes a long term relationship which is great for you.
14. Does your trainer make sure s/he never misses her/his session with you and is punctual? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. As you need to show commitment to your workouts, so does your trainer. She needs to be regular and punctual to see the training through without interruptions.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. As you need to show commitment to your workouts, so does your trainer. She needs to be regular and punctual to see the training through without interruptions.
Correct! As you need to show commitment to your workouts, so does your trainer. She needs to be regular and punctual to see the training through without interruptions.
15. Are your workouts interesting and the atmosphere upbeat? 1. Yes 2. No
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. A suitable atmosphere makes a big difference to the way you view your sessions. Once you have expressed your views on this, your trainer should create one that you like, whether it is complete silence or thumping music, fresh air or a cool AC room, bright lights or candlelight.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. A suitable atmosphere makes a big difference to the way you view your sessions. Once you have expressed your views on this, your trainer should create one that you like, whether it is complete silence or thumping music, fresh air or a cool AC room, bright lights or candlelight.
Correct! A suitable atmosphere makes a big difference to the way you view your sessions. Once you have expressed your views on this, your trainer should create one that you like, whether it is complete silence or thumping music, fresh air or a cool AC room, bright lights or candlelight.
16. Your next session with your trainer is on Wednesday 1. I'm waiting eagerly 2. Oh no! I'd rather work out on my own.
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. This answer sums it all up for you! If you are not looking forward to your next session, it's pretty clear you aren't enjoying it. Get a new trainer!
Wrong! The correct answer is Yes. This answer sums it all up for you! If you are not looking forward to your next session, it's pretty clear you aren't enjoying it. Get a new trainer!
Correct! This answer sums it all up for you! If you are not looking forward to your next session, it's pretty clear you aren't enjoying it. Get a new trainer!
Results
Mostly 1s: Perfect Trainer!
You got the right man/woman for the job! Your trainer understands you, is professional and technical while creating a fun atmosphere to work in. You are in for great results. Communicate if you feel a lack of something and you will get it.
Mostly 2s: Disinterested Trainer!
This sort of a coach leaves too many things wanting and will only make you hate working out. Scout for a better one right away! When you answered the Cs: Depends how you see this. Super motivating or overwhelmingly loud. A lot of people love this to get them going: strict and loud instructions, tough goals etc. If this isn't your cup of tea, move on.
When you answered the 3s: Depends how you see this. Super motivating or overwhelmingly loud. A lot of people love this to get them going: strict and loud instructions, tough goals etc. If this isn't your cup of tea, move on.
