Eight Ways to Choose the Personal Trainer Right for You. 1. They must be at least Nationally Certified While a four year Degree is a plus, it is not necessary. A good personal trainer will at least have a National Certification through a reputable Certification Board. Be careful, there are many weekend "crackerjack" courses; make sure that your trainer has at least a Certification through the NASM, ACE, ACSM or NSCA. These Certifications all require you to sit for the exam, not take it on-line. 2. They must Practice what they preach. Just because your trainer is buff, doesn't mean that they know how to get you the results that you want. On the other hand, you don't want someone who looks like John Goodman to help guide you, do you? 3. They must have proven results. Any good trainer will have at least a handful of written testimonials from adoring clients. Really good trainers will have before and after pictures as well. 4. They must back up their promise with a 100% money back guarantee. If you went to a mechanic to fix your car, gave him $500 to do the job and your car still wasn't fixed, wouldn't you want your money back. The same should go for your trainer. Make sure they have proven results, then make them stand behind any promises they have made 5. Make sure they are not giving cookie cutter programs. They shouldn't just take you through a workout. You can go to any bookstore to get a program for cheap money, and then injure yourself doing it. A good trainer should evaluate you body movements and spend time in designing a program specifically for you and your goals 6. You must be able to build a repoire with them. If you don't click, then you won't go back. Your sessions with a trainer shouldn't be a gab hour, but you want to enjoy your time with them. 7. They must hold you accountable. Our mind has very powerful control over what we do to our body. Make sure they have a system to keep you on track to get to your goals. This may include training and nutrition journals as well as monthly or even weekly measurements. 8. They must empower you for life! Fad diets come and go, but fitness and the body you have are forever. Make sure that even if you decide to stop seeing your trainer that they have given you the knowledge to continue to reach new goals and touch others based upon your achievements.

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