Friday, July 3, 2015

How to choose a personal trainer

A personal trainer can help you make massive gains, but only if you choose the right one. Follow our guide to do just that

Personal trainers often fall into categories. Finding exactly what you want in a PT is about your personality, and theirs, as well as your goals and the trainer's expertise. If you know you need an ever-changing workout routine to keep you in the zone then you need a PT with their finger on the fitness pulse. Whereas if you really want to push out your max every.single.time you might prefer a Full Metal Jacket style drill sergeant. These are the three best types of PT we’ve come across. It’s just a case of matching up the approach that most suits your needs.

PT type: The Knowledge

Even the biggest gym fanatics can get stuck in a rut sometimes. Doing the same kind of workout over and over can affect your results, as well as your motivation: if your body becomes adapted to a way of working out, it’s likely that progress will plateau. This PT knows every squat variation in the world and always has their ear to the ground when it comes to THE NEXT BIG THING in fitness. They know about new moves, methods and even nutrition ideas that’ll not only keep you interested but will shock your body into responding – and producing the results you want. Go for this PT if you are already smashing it at the gym, but want to take things to a level not possible by yourself.

PT type: The Motivator

Whether it’s vocal encouragement while struggling to complete a rep or a high five at the end of a tough set, you just can’t build that kind of motivation on your own. A PT who pushes your buttons to make every session worth crawling out of bed for is perfect for anyone who finds going to the gym a bit of a chore. Having said that, if you’re the type of person who gets stressed rather than encouraged by someone goading you on mid-rep, this may not be the PT for you.

PT type: The Scientist

Nailing your form and taking a scientific approach to workout programming is one of the best ways to get in peak physical shape. The slightest adjustments could bring about huge changes, getting you stronger, bigger, or even quicker. This type of PT is not only an excellent technique and form coach, but they can make sure you're not going to do anything to hamper your results . The only downside is a tendency to be obsessed with the science behind working out to the point where they don't seem to be able to talk about anything else.

Now you know the main types of PT to look for, here's how to actually go about finding one. Recommendations from mates or people at the gym should be your first port of call. If you have similar personalities and goals, it’s likely you’ll also rate the same type of PT. Failing that, the internet has loads of sites that act as Compare The Market style services, but for PTs rather than insurance - and not a bloody meerkat in sight. We use PTFindr.com – it helps you find and book a local PT, like all the other services, but has the added bonus of videos on the PT’s profiles so you can get a feel for the personality (and decide which of the three main categories they fall under) before shelling out for sessions.

Advice
1 Jul 2015

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