Chapter 4: Hiring a Trainer 53
Finally, ask whether your trainer charges by the hour or by the session.
Typically, sessions last 45 to 90 minutes, including discussion and consultation
time (not just workout time). If you’re paying by the hour and your session
runs over, you may wind up paying a lot more than you expected.Knowing a Quality Trainer When You See One .........................................
Trainers have different philosophies and use a variety of techniques. Some
come from the drill-sergeant school of motivation; others prefer the cheer-
leading approach. Still, there are some characteristics that all trainers should
share. Choose a trainer who:Evaluates your fitness and goals: Before anything else, your trainer
should assess your current physical condition. (See Chapter 2 to find out
what’s included in a fitness evaluation.) Then your trainer should have a
long talk with you about your expectations for the training sessions —
your hopes, your dreams, and your specific goals. All this information is
crucial: To really be of help to you, a trainer must know where you’re
starting from and where you want to go.Gives you a balanced program:Unless you specifically request other-
wise, your sessions should include three components: cardiovascular
exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Some trainers prefer
that you do the cardiovascular portion on your own, but if you ask, your
trainer should help you design a program and keep tabs on your work-
out and intensity. Heads up: Many trainers also skip the stretching and
cool-down portions of a workout.
Watches you closely:Your trainer should pay attention to your form
and give you pointers throughout the session. On the other hand, you
don’t want a trainer who blabs incessantly. Your trainer also should spot
you — in other words, stand poised to grab the weight and give you
some help if your muscles give out.Reassesses your goals and measures your progress:A good trainer
retests you after the first six weeks of training and, if you’ve been work-
ing out consistently, every two to three months thereafter. A trainer who
is really on the ball also reassesses your goals every few weeks to keep
you motivated.
Listens to you:If you mention that an exercise doesn’t feel right, your
trainer should figure out why and show you an alternative move for the
same body part. There’s no single exercise you absolutely must do. If
you tell him you’re feeling stagnant, overtrained, or underchallenged, he
should alter your program.