How to Hire a Personal Trainer (Part One)

Do you remember gym class?

Remember when your gym teacher forced everyone to climb the rope, run relay or learn to play tennis?

I certainly do, and although I whined and complained about spending an hour in a baggy t-shirt and sweatpants, I was grateful for the motivation to go outside and get moving.

As an adult, I can come with a million of excuses to not exercise.

Whether it's my old gym clothes (I really should head to LuluLemon) or the time (don't I need to reorganize my kitchen cupboard), there's always an excuse as to why I don't go to the gym.

So will a personal trainer be the answer to my endless ways to avoid working up a sweat?Brent Bishop, personal trainer and owner of Think Fitness Studios has heard every excuse. But his first advice - start with yourself. As Bishop believes, if you can master yourself, you can master anything.

"Know what your goals are - whether its to lose weight, feel stronger or to run a marathon. And know what excuses and obstacles can come up - whether its a location that is too far from work or home or forgetting the gym bag."

Bishop explained that if you analyze what you want, it reflects on the personal trainer you will choose. Consider these four factors:

1. Would you prefer a trainer that comes to your home or do you want the surroundings of a local gym or fitness studio?

2. Are you motivated by a man or a woman?

3. Does the coaching style of the personal trainer make you feel comfortable?

4. Are you committed to changing?

Getting a personal trainer is part of a health decision - its not just something to brag about. In a recent article in the Globe and Mail, personal trainers and fitness professionals had their say about clients' behaviour.

So once you've figured out what you want, how do you find the right personal trainer (read part two) - what are the right questions to ask and what qualifications should you look for?

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