Home Fitness & Health - Don Spurling

When you interview a prospective fitness trainer or instructor, ask if they are currently certified, by what organization and whether their certification is accredited by the NCCA or equivalent national organization. A solid certification is certainly not the only factor in choosing a trainer. Education/training, experience, talent, reputation and compatibility count, too. But an accredited certification removes a lot of guesswork about basic qualifications, making it a good place to start.

Warning Flags to watch out for:

Ignores or dismisses your questions
Works you so hard you're in pain for days. Soreness is normal, but you should still be able to get out of bed
Neglects any part of a complete program or recommends a level of training that's too hard for you
Recommends questionable supplements or herbs. Always talk to your doctor before taking anything!
Diagnoses injuries or illnesses instead of referring you to a doctor
Interrupts your session to talk to friends or take phone calls (unless it's an emergency or can't be avoided)
Doesn't return phone calls or emails

A personal trainer should watch you, correct your alignment, and explain what you're doing and why. If you're having problems, talk to them--they may not be aware there's a problem. Another option is to talk to the manager or terminate your sessions and look for a different trainer. It's your money and your body...you have a right to get what you want and a good trainer will understand that.