HOW TO CHOOSE A PERSONAL TRAINER?

A Comprehensive Guide

By Kevin Kearns | Burn With Kearns

My name is Coach Kevin Kearns. I have been a personal trainer and strength coach since 1987. Personally, I have worked with over 15 UFC fighters and have created my own MMA Fitness Training certification system, which is now used globally. Additionally, I have produced over 15 workout videos and written over 300 articles. I have presented for Idea Fitness, ECA, SCW, and Can Fit Pro. My sponsors include JumpSport Fitness Trampolines, WearTrueForm, Purmotion, TITIN, Bosu, Rev Gear, and Hedstrom Fitness. Yet, I am still training clients one-on-one and small groups, on a daily basis. These are my credentials and the reason I was asked to write this article.

Choosing a personal trainer is no easy task in today’s market. The internet for personal training business is a double edged sword. A trainer’s website can look outstanding, but then at a first training session, it can leave you wondering if you called the right number. It can also be a challenge when you see the best in-shape trainer. You think to yourself, “Wow, I want to look like that guy or girl.” Then, while training with them, you realize they are spending more time checking out their pecs in the mirror, then making sure you bench press correctly.

Have no fear, there are some simple steps to choosing the right trainer.

Word of mouth - This is an age old tool that has been around since man has been selling services. When in doubt, ask a friend or family member if they are using or know of a good trainer.

Check the references - Ask for references of other clients they have worked with in the past and who are their current clients. Many times, this is a great place to start.

Credentials-check them out - If a trainer does not have at least one certification, chances are they are not the trainer for you. Also, check out who certified them. If they took the test online, and in one day, that would not be the person to hire. I have a tendency to lean towards trainers that have an actual degree in a fitness related field. This also has to be ‘taken with a grain of salt.’ I have also worked with trainers who have had a master degree, but did not know the right side of a kettlebell.

Reputation - Street cred, or more importantly, gym or fitness cred is important, as well. What are other trainers and clients saying about this person? What have they been doing in their career? Better yet, is it a career or are they just looking to make a few bucks on the side? It would be wise to seek a trainer that is committed to the job, full-time. In other words, a trainer for which the job is a calling, not just a “jump in and out“ job.

Style of training - Is this the trainer the right fit for you? Depending on what you are looking for, will determine the type of trainer you will need. If you want to look like a bodybuilder or are concerned with how much you can deadlift, then a trainer that is only teaching pilates is not the place to start.

Your needs and goals - A good trainer will focus on what your needs and goals are, not theirs. I have a client that has been with me for 2 years, who has had prior heart disease. One trainer he worked with before hiring me was adamant about him being able to bench press a lot of weight so he fired him. That client happened to be the president of one of the top banks!

Pills powders and potions - Okay, this is a real red flag. Quick weight loss schemes never work. This is why we have an obesity pandemic. If it worked, we would all be at our ideal weight. I never have had a client use or take anything I would not put into my own body. Many will upsell you on a certain powder or vitamin. If I don’t use it, I won’t recommend it!

Lack of personal debt - This is a big one that was conveyed to me by my mentor, Douglas Brooks. If the trainer has no personality or enthusiasm, how are they going to motivate you at 5am! Do they have an integrity model? Business is Business- I have seen ‘many a trainer’ that crossed this line too many times. If you hear through the grapevine that this particular trainer dates his or her customers, it’s another red flag, and one that I consider to be unprofessional .

Right client, right trainer - Is this a match? You need to ask yourself if you could actually, outside of this business, have a good conversation with them. I can generally tell if someone is the right fit for me or for one of my other trainers. It’s ok for you not to like someone; it happens from time to time.

Communication and follow up - Does this person communicate well? Are you satisfied with their follow up? With follow up, anything more than 3 to 6 hours is way too long. You are a paying customer and should be treated as such.your clients and your income!

My ‘rule of thumb’ is if I don’t know something, I’ll tell the client I will get back to them and will then educate myself, so as to learn about the concept they are asking about. As far as explaining the exercise, your trainer should be clear and concise. You will be better served by a trainer that is willing to show their clients a drill multiple times and sometimes, if it’s one that is not useful, they know enough to delete the exercise completely, from the program. As Bruce Lee would say. “Absorb what is useful, throw out the rest.”

Have no doubt…‘Burn With Kearns’ is EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, and SAFE!

Coach Kevin Kearns, Founder, Burnwithkearns.com, Founder, MMA Fighter Fit

2012 Top UFC Magazine S and C Coaches

Lincolnwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

Announces Its New Dialysis Center

by Mark Berger

Citing the increased need to help chronic kidney disease patients through improving the population’s access for a dialysis center within a skilled nursing facility, one North Providence facility is tackling this head-on.

Lincolnwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, located on 610 Smithfield Road in North Providence, recently expanded their Chronic Kidney Disease Program, adding a 6-chair hemo-dialysis den to their skilled nursing facility. The new dialysis den provides an opportunity for patients to receive short-term rehabilitation, while receiving in-house dialysis treatments, and without ever having to leave the facility to meet these needs. The new expansion will offer dialysis to short-term patients who are staying at Lincolnwood, while receiving rehabilitation, giving them the all around support and services required for with no need to travel outside of the facility.

FOR TICKETS: text 489-8839 or call Thirsty Beaver 270-7686