Ricardo Macedo, founder of R-Fitness has over 12 years experience in training some of the worlds most recognised names in the TV, music and film industries.
Health on Female First
Ricardo has a wealth of advice to offer on how to choose the personal trainer that’s right for you.
His failsafe tips will help you negotiate the minefield of promises of rapid weight loss and instant results and help you to find the perfect PT.
Qualifications are a necessity and you can generally find these on a trainer’s portfolio or website. Qualifications are like a drivers licence, allowing you to drive but they don’t make you a formula one driver. At the initial consultation the trainer should complete a questionnaire with your medical history and ask questions to learn as much as possible about your past injuries, health, life style, eating habits, targets and availability. A trainer who doesn’t take measurements will not be able to monitor your progress. A trainer with a good physique is also very important, as I believe you should live by what you preach. A trainer must have a valid public liability insurance.
Your personal trainer should have the following qualifications - REPS (Register Exercise Professional) and NRPT (National Register of Personal Trainers) both are private companies not Government bodies therefore a trainer does not have to affiliate with them. However, these organisations verify trainers’ qualifications and have a rating criteria. A trainer’s experience is just as important so always ask for references, how long they have been a trainer, their area of expertise and how many clients he/she has trained. All trainers should also be qualified with NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
Using a gym-based trainer adds variety allowing you the option to vary the training from home or from the gym. Gym training allows access to all necessary equipment for an effective workout. However, a good freelance trainer should be able to provide the same workout at home. Recommendation is the best option for finding a freelance trainer; the majority of my clients come to me via word of mouth. You should always check references before paying a freelance trainer for a block of sessions.
Find a trainer who will focus on you, and only you. It is your hour and you don’t want a narcissist or self obsessed trainer. The trainer should not just get you in shape but also make you feel good about yourself. Your personal trainer should consider your overall health and also be able to advise you on diet and nutrition.
Tagged in fitness tips