Skip to main content
Fitness Tips

7 Essential Qualities to Look for in a Private Fitness Trainer

Working with a private fitness trainer can make or break your workout goals. Having the support and encouragement from a trainer is an excellent way to keep yourself accountable and work out in a meaningful way. 

It’s also important to work with one that suits you and your personal preferences and personality. It’s similar to working with a mental health counselor or doctor; your results aren’t going to be as good if you don’t work well with the practitioner.

We’re going to cover a few brief, essential qualities that your trainer should have in order to suit you best.

Things to Look for in a Personal Fitness Trainer

Take a peek at the following points and keep them in mind as you search for a good trainer. You don’t have to go with the first one that comes your way, so don’t be discouraged if you have to browse a little until you find the right person. 

1. Communication Skills

The first thing to look for is someone who can communicate with you well. You’re going to be working hard and communicating on the fly with this person, so make sure that you at least get along.

Additionally, it will help to have someone who can clearly describe the workouts you’ll be doing and why you need to do them.

2. Professional Attitude

While you will be working closely with this person, you want them to remain professional in their approach. 

Get a sense for whether the trainer you’re speaking with will treat you with respect and focus on your physical development without breaking out of your professional relationship.

3. Experienced

Just because someone hits the gym often and has a sculpted body does not mean they’re qualified to train you. Becoming a good trainer requires that individual studies, has on-site experience, and understands a great deal about the human body and how to improve it. 

If your trainer has no experience to speak of, it may be time to move on.

4. Patience

If you’ve been out of the gym for a while, it will take some time for you to get into shape. This means you may fail a time or two in your exercises. 

Your trainer should be right with you through the process and encourage you rather than get frustrated.

5. Approach That Suits You

Some people want and need to be barked at by a coach as they work out. Some people prefer simple guidance and patient communication. Everyone’s different, and there are trainers out there for every preference. 

Make sure that your trainer is communicating with you in a way that’s moving you toward your personal goals. 

6. Knowledge

Working out can be dangerous. If someone is guiding you without proper knowledge of the human body and its limitations, you’re going to be in for a bad time. 

A good trainer should know which exercises push which muscles, the proper method of training and protecting those muscles, and how far you can reasonably work muscle groups at your level of experience. 

7. Practice

Another essential quality for a trainer is a healthy workout practice in their personal life. 

If a person is telling you to work out every day while they fail to do so themselves, what good does that do? You want someone who walks the walk and can claim to be in excellent shape as a result of their work.

Looking for a Trainer?

Working out is always a good idea. Getting motivated and working hard will reap numerous benefits on your life, and having a private fitness trainer will only help your odds of success.

Explore our site for more information on finding a gym and working with a great trainer.