Picking a Personal Trainer

If you’re reading this, I can assume you’re in the process of picking a personal trainer and want some tips on finding the best possible person for the job. As a personal trainer in Boston, I know that there seem to be endless options for trainers and picking a good one feels like a large task, so let’s break it down.

1 // Where to train?

The first questions you’ll need to ask yourself is: do I want in-person training or online-only training? Once you’re clear on that, it’ll be a lot easier to whittle down the pool of options.

2 // What do you want to get out of personal training?

The next most important thing to consider are your goals. What are you trying to learn or accomplish? If your main focus is to learn the basics of Olympic lifting, a personal trainer who specializes in running won’t be a good choice - even if they seem like a great personality match. Conversely, if your big goal is to “just start an exercise routine” and don’t have any specific training styler you’re keen to learn, you’ll likely have more options.

2a // Ouchies

This is important, but not precisely its own point. If you currently have or you’ve ever had any injuries, keep that in mind when you’re considering your goals. Even past injuries can have a ripple effect on the body, so that will be an important thing to keep on the brain once we move to the next step.

3 // Time to Google

Once you’ve given some thought to your goals, the search can begin.

If you belong to a commercial gym, they’ll likely have a selection of trainers. If you reach out to the gym directly, and share your goals, the Manager of Fitness will be able to assist in introducing you to someone who they think will be a good fit.

If you don’t belong to a gym, you can Google something like “personal trainer Boston.” While you’re guaranteed to run into a handful of ads, if you scroll enough you’ll come across a handful of personal trainer websites for your chosen area.

3a // If Googling is overwhelming, search this way

If you’re overwhelmed by all the trainer options, you can also search for something like “personal training studio in Boston.” You’ll get ads with this one as well, but instead of having to pick a person first, you can look at the studio photos and locations and decide on a comfortable space first and then reach out to the studio and they’ll introduce you to one of the trainers that utilizes their space. For example, the owners of Studio 617 in Boston, MA offer a complimentary phone call with all potential clients and assist in matching each new client to a trainer who has a matching skillset.

4 // Can I spend any length of time with this person?

Outside of skill and experience, two very important questions to consider when picking a personal trainer are: Do I feel safe with this person? Can I spend an hour (2 hours / 3 hours) per week with this person?

For best results, you want to feel like this person has your best interest in mind, has your back, and is someone that won’t make you want to run away screaming.

For example, I talk a lot in my sessions - I like for them to be educational and feel personal . If someone is looking for a personal trainer in Boston and they want someone who is wicked smart but says as few words as possible, I’m not your girl.

5 // Last logistics

Schedule and pricing are very important factors, but I would argue if you can’t get through the rest of this list first, then they’re irrelevant. Does your chosen trainer have availability during the times you’re able to come in? What is their cancellation policy? How much do they bill per session hour? Depending on where you live, a 1-hour session can run anywhere from $65 - $200. Now, most personal trainers in Boston that I know (who train sessions outside of a traditional gym) price their hour between $100 - $150. Those numbers can scare some people, but please understand that you’re paying for a lot more than just the hour of their time- you’re paying for the years and likely thousands of dollars they’ve put towards educational pursuits-- and commonly, they’re also paying rent to the studios they train in.

Is there anything I missed? What are some important things you look for in a personal trainer (or a service provider with whom you’ll be working closely?) What other questions do you have about picking a personal trainer??