How to Choose a Personal Trainer

Avoid the trainer who got a quick certification in order to train some people to make money on the side while they pursue their acting career (or whatever it is). Find someone who has their own desire to be a great trainer, and you will have someone truly invested in your process. 

Experience matters.  All of the education and certifications in the world don't compare to real world experience. Find someone who has been in the trenches and has had their fair share of successes and failures.  While some rookie trainers can turn out to be great and achieve phenomenal results, ask yourself if you really want to be the guinea pig. 

Don't judge the trainer solely by how he/she looks.  While a trainer should definitely walk the walk and be in great shape themselves, more important than the trainer's fitness is their client's.  Just because someone has learned what works for them does not mean they know what will work for everyone else.  Take a close look at their client's results; have any of them lost 50 pounds in a year?  Are their long term clients injury free with good posture and the ability perform demanding exercise with ease? 

Beware of the torture trainers and the drill sergeants.  While a strong motivating presence is a key factor in the personal training process, a trainer who gets a kick out of commanding orders should more often than not be avoided.  A good trainer will train the individual, and rarely does this involve yelling and berating.   Pay for value.  Some of the best trainers intentionally jack up their prices because they want to weed out those potential clients with low levels of motivation.  Your health and wellness are extremely valuable so do not be afraid to pay more for someone who can deliver the results you are looking for.