Obviously, there's no way our town has over 200,000 personal trainers – not counting home football game days, the entire population of Ann Arbor is only a bit over 100,000. But, after quickly scrolling through my search results, I think it's safe to say that Ann Arbor offers well over 100 individual trainers specializing in helping clients with their health and fitness goals.
With all of those options, just finding the right personal trainer could start feeling like a workout by itself.
To make the process easier and let you start your fitness program faster, here are four questions to help you choose the right personal trainer for you:
1. How much training and education does the trainer have? The State of Michigan doesn't have licensing requirements for personal trainers, but most if not all fitness centers require their employees to have at least one certification. In addition, there are several community college and university degrees (both at the Bachelors and Masters level) that would-be fitness professionals can pursue.
As a general rule, the more education a trainer has, the more able they will be to help you meet your goals while avoiding injuries in the process.
Also, while degrees are wonderful, don't discount experience! For example, two of Better Living's trainers, Mallory and Jodi, collectively have over 30 years' experience as personal trainers in addition to their certifications.
2. How much ongoing education is the trainer involved in? Exercise science is changing almost daily as research tells us more about our bodies and what they need to be healthy and fit. To get the best results from your fitness plan, it's best to find a trainer who keeps up to date on these developments.
3. What are the trainer's specialty or specialties? If you're a 50 year old woman who just wants to make sure you'll be able to walk and carry your own groceries when you're 80, you don't necessarily want to work with a personal trainer who specializes in getting people ready for triathlons. At the same time, a trainer who is all about functional fitness may not be the best choice to help you train for your first marathon.
4. How willing is the trainer to customize a program so that you'll not only meet your goals but also enjoy the process? As a rule, any solid health and fitness program will include exercises to increase your strength, cardiovascular health, and flexibility – but there's a lot of “wiggle room” within that rule to cater to people who love some specific exercises but who can't stand (or can't do) others.
Deciding to start a health and fitness program is a big decision. So is choosing a fitness professional to help you achieve your goals. But finding the right personal trainer for you doesn't have to be that difficult. First, decide what you want to accomplish. Then, using the four questions above, narrow your search.
With all the personal training options that Ann Arbor offers, it shouldn't be that hard for most people to find the right fit.
Looking for specific help in selecting a personal trainer to help you achieve your goals – or help defining your goals in the first place? Give us a call (734-747-0123) or send us an email and we'll be happy to help!
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