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6 min read<\/p>\n6 min read<\/p>\n
My name is Cori Ritchey, and I am an exercise physiology nerd turned fitness journalist, and the fitness editor at Women\u2019s Health. When I\u2019m not writing, editing, and researching fitness, I\u2019m teaching it to my personal training and group fitness clients. In my new column, Between Sets, I\u2019m pulling back the curtain on the same advice, tips, and \u2018aha!\u2019 moments I share with my clients while they\u2019re catching their breath. Stick around for the strategic, science-backed nuggets that\u2019ll help you move better, train smarter, and actually enjoy the process.<\/p>\n
At its best, fitness is incredibly personal. Your exercise program should help you reach your goals while working with your weaknesses. What lights a fire under you might make someone else want to never step foot in a gym again. Even perfect form<\/a> isn’t one-size-fits-all; it\u2019s built by factors such as bone length and joint mobility.<\/p>\n And sure, the internet is filled with \u201cTry this glute-burning leg day\u201d TikToks and ChatGPT-designed \u201ccustom\u201d programs for the unbeatable price of free. But having the right support can help you reach your goals faster, and achieve more than you ever thought possible (and I\u2019m not just saying this for job security).<\/p>\n Still, finding the right trainer can take a bit of trial and error. While there\u2019s loads of quality pros out there, each one comes with a different skill set and teaching style\u2014and you\u2019ll learn more and stay motivated longer with someone who matches your energy.<\/p>\n In that way, finding your perfect match can feel a bit like dating. Exciting? Yes. Slightly awkward? Of course. Show up with the right questions, though, and you can find your ideal fit quickly. Here\u2019s what to ask.<\/p>\n 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Trainer There are (unfortunately) many trainers out there that have very little formal training. They may seem knowledgeable because they\u2019ve spent years lifting themselves. And while you certainly want a trainer that practices what they preach, coaching someone else safely and effectively requires more than personal experience.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen it myself a bunch of times. Back in my gym management days, I would hire a certified trainer who had great energy and killer people skills. Then, I\u2019d watch a client ask them a technical question, and they look like they\u2019ve seen a ghost. There\u2019s real science behind exercise programming<\/a>, biomechanics, injury prevention\u2014and that depth of knowledge takes study.<\/p>\n Some certifications are easier to obtain than others. Some allow open-book exams, and others you can get in a weekend with no prerequisites. That may not be the level of training you want from the person responsible for your form and progression.<\/p>\n What to look for: Now, of course, not all great trainers have certifications just like not all trainers with crappy certifications are bad trainers\u2014but it\u2019s a starting point. As a general rule, look for a CPT (certified personal trainer) credential and where it\u2019s from. The most widely accepted accreditations are from NSCA, ACE, or NASM. A NSCA-CSCS (certified strength and conditioning specialist) trainer might cost a little more, because it\u2019s a more advanced certification with more intensive requirements.<\/p>\n Can you describe how you like to motivate people? <\/p>\n Trust: you\u2019re not going to learn from someone you don\u2019t like\u2014and you definitely won\u2019t stick with a program you dread. If you thrive with a drill sergeant coach, you probably don\u2019t want to pair up with the happy-go-lucky, chatter bug trainer. If you\u2019re more looking for someone with a little more leniency (without being babied), you might need something more in the middle. You should both respect and vibe with your trainer.<\/p>\n And believe me, the trainer wants the same. I can\u2019t begin to express how uncomfortable it is to coach people that simply don\u2019t like my style of coaching. While I pride myself on being adaptable, I also know that I won\u2019t be everyone\u2019s cup of tea, and that\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n What to look for: I\u2019ll shout it from the rooftops until the day I die: the best workout plan is the one you\u2019ll come back to over and over and over again. You should genuinely enjoy seeing your trainer each week (if you don\u2019t, it could sour your progress at best, or hurt your relationship with exercise at worst).<\/p>\n Find someone whose style fits you. Ask if they prefer to run their sessions like a sergeant, a gentle parent, or somewhere in between. You can even do a bit of digging if you feel so inclined: find one of their current or previous clients to get a bit of intel on their style. Or, see if the trainer offers an intro session to get a sneak peak at how they operate. The good news is many great trainers are able to mold their ways based on how their clients learn best\u2014you just need to find someone who can adapt.<\/p>\n How much will it cost\u2014and what exactly does that price get me? <\/p>\n This sounds obvious, but it matters for more than simply budgeting. While you don\u2019t want personal training to cost an arm and a leg, you also should be wary of it costing too little. Why? Because it\u2019s likely not personal.<\/p>\n Low-cost training sometimes means you\u2019re getting a recycled program: the same template used for anyone with similar goals or experience. And while some training principles definitely overlap, you still want a plan that is tailored to you: your injuries, preferences, goals, timeline, schedule, nutrition, etc.<\/p>\n What to look for: The cost of an hour-long training session will largely depend on where you\u2019re located and the experience of the trainer. An inexperienced trainer in a small town might cost as low as $50 a session, and a veteran coach in a populated city can run you as high as $150+ per session.<\/p>\n You might also find trainers selling their services based on the level of personalization. For example, my online clients pay based on how much accountability they prefer. If they prefer to be checked in multiple times a week, they\u2019ll pay a little more than the people that I only check in once a month.<\/p>\n Either way if the price is feeling a little too right, assess to make sure you\u2019re getting what you\u2019re asking for. If you\u2019re comfortable getting a recycled program at a cheaper price as long as the support is there\u2014I don\u2019t blame you. Just make sure you\u2019re getting what you\u2019re paying for.<\/p>\n How do you plan to track my progress? <\/p>\n No matter your goal, you\u2019re hiring a trainer to see progress<\/a>\u2014and their main job is to monitor what\u2019s working, what\u2019s not, and when to adjust.<\/p>\n![\"line](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774984930_449_line-breakers-6942cfb7e3848.png\" "\\"line")
What specific certifications\/education do you have? <\/p>\n
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