Irv Rubenstein has a doctorate in exercise science and has run a personal training studio for 35 years in Nashville, Tennessee. Clearly, he speaks positively about the benefits of hiring a personal trainer, and that goes for graying athletes and beginners alike.

“Almost anyone can teach you how to do a biceps curl,” says Rubenstein. “But only a few people can tell you what to do if your shoulder hurts.”

Finding the right coach for you can be a maze, Rubenstein admits.

How important should degrees and education be, or are personality and motivational skills more important? What about the cost? And how often should you hire a personal trainer? These are just some of the questions anyone looking for a trainer should ask themselves.

“How do you discern who is better? » » asks Rubenstein. “Whatever suits you best is best. But finding that is the challenge.

Education, diplomas

In the United States – and many other countries – there is no state or local government agency that licenses trainers. Certification is typically issued by private entities, some more respected than others and many aimed at generating revenue rather than creating credibility.

The American College of Sports Medicine is the best known in the United States. In Canada, this is the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine.

“You should probably ask if the person is certified,” says Rubenstein, who runs STEPS Fitness. “I think it’s valuable, but I don’t think it’s essential. And you should ask about academic training.

He also issued a warning.

“If a person gets all their information from the Internet — as far as you can discern — I would avoid that person,” he says of a potential trainer.

Personality, motivation

Guy Andrews leads the ETC exercise! from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Like Rubenstein, he says trainers and clients need to adapt. Qualifications are important, but a personality match is essential.

“It’s all about a service relationship,” says Andrews. “So you have to make a connection with the coach first. You have to love them. My personality is essential. I don’t care how qualified or educated a person is. If you don’t enjoy working with them, the relationship is doomed.

Asking for referrals from friends or gym operators could be helpful in your search. A good benchmark for a successful relationship: how many years has the sponsor spent with his trainer?

“If clients have been following a trainer for eight or 10 years, that’s a good sign,” Andrews says. “It’s not enough to look good in a tank top.”

With a chuckle, Rubenstein introduces another truth: “Most people who work with a trainer for a while will tell you they are the best. »

Another good sign when evaluating trainers is whether they offer a “non-contractual relationship.” This means you won’t lose money if you interrupt the service.

“Then you have a trainer who has integrity and confidence, and probably has the skills to help you,” says Rubenstein.

The motivational style of the trainer must also be taken into account. Rubenstein emphasizes that the quality of “compassion” is essential in choosing the right person. But some might want a basic training drill sergeant to push them.

“The rah-rah military attitude might work for the younger, fitter ones,” he says. “But for the average person, this type of behavior may not be motivating or empowering.”

What is the price?

The price is difficult to pin down. Costs vary by country and within countries and by geographic region. In the United States, you could pay between $100 and $150 per hour in major cities, and between $50 and $75 in other areas.

The cost can be prohibitive for some, Rubenstein says. This often eliminates younger people and can favor older customers who have greater purchasing power and need the service more.

“It filters out the people who would like a trainer from the people who need one,” he says.

How often with the coach?

Andrews and Rubenstein say beginners should meet with a trainer two or three times a week for the first six weeks. After that, once a week may be enough, or even once or twice a month for maintenance and evaluation.

“In terms of motivation, for the average person, I don’t think once a week is enough to begin with,” Andrews says.

Rubenstein says: “If a person is not used to going to a gym, if they are not comfortable or do not feel safe, twice a week with a trainer is a basic routine which will bring him benefits — muscular, cardiovascular, balance, etc. they learn it, a person can go once a week or once a month. But that means they have to be motivated.

Set goals

There you go, you’ve found your trainer and are ready to get to work. And now ? Set goals.

There are four main goals, depending on the client: weight management, overall fitness, special needs and overall health.

For each client, “routines may intersect but the frequency, intensity and duration vary,” says Rubenstein.

Setting goals during the initial interview was key, says Andrews.

“If both parties are not on the same page when it comes to what they want, they are doomed to failure,” he says.

A good coach will recognize unrealistic goals, says Andrews.

“It often depends on how they want to look after themselves after hiring a personal trainer,” he says. “In my experience, a client who focuses on how they will behave after training – rather than how they will feel – is setting themselves up for disappointment. »