By Jennah Hardy, ACE and NASM Certified Personal Trainer

In today's world, finding a competent personal trainer is almost as hard as buying an item at the grocery store that does not contain high-fructose corn syrup. Sure, you may easily find a trainer at a local gym, but how do you know they are qualified? How do you know if you will enjoy your experience and obtain the results you are looking for? Honestly, you can't be 100% sure that your experience will be satisfying, but using the following information should help you reduce your risk of being stuck with a mediocre personal trainer. While this hunt may take some time and a little research, gaining a long lasting relationship with a supportive fitness professional is worth the effort.

The first step is to consider where to find a personal trainer. Of course, like bees on honey, most trainers are found in the vicinity of a fitness center. Therefore the first issue you should consider is Location. It's obvious that you are more likely to train at a facility that is close to your home, workplace, or is along your driving route to work. If your fitness center is miles from home, you may tend to use this as a justification as to why you shouldn't workout! Therefore, take some time to scour the Internet, yellow pages, and ask your friends about where to find personal trainers and fitness centers that are close to you.

Once on your search, you will notice that there are two distinct types of training facilities: gyms and studios. While the big gyms offer large facilities, more equipment, and group classes, these benefits usually come with a hefty membership fee and crowded training rooms that often result in members waiting for machines. On the other hand, studios offer personalized and private training without the hassle of being surrounded by crowds, waiting for machines, and paying for that pesky monthly membership fee. Of course, studios may lack the large facility, yet they do focus your attention on the most important factor of your decision: the Trainer.

Mistake #1- Most people choose a trainer based on the name of the gym where he works and not on his or her specific qualifications.

The reason why people find themselves in an unfulfilling relationship with their trainer is usually because they did not get to know the trainer's qualifications and personality before they signed up for sessions. Every trainer should require you to go through a consultation with him or her before you actually begin your training sessions. During this consult, you should inquire about their qualifications and simply get to know your trainer. Remember, you are hiring them for a service; they should be more than willing to answer all of your questions. The first thing that you should ask your trainer is "Through what organization are you certified?" Some of the most notable certifications are through ACE, ACSM, NASM, and NSCA. If they are certified by any of these four organizations, you can be sure that your trainer is knowledgeable and adequately trained.

While there are other decent certifications that are offered, you probably should do some research on the organization before committing to the trainer. For instance, you should second-guess an organization that lets their trainee take the examination in their own home. You should also beware of any trainer who does not have a national certification. Some trainers only have certifications through their employer. For instance, if you visit "World Fitness" and one of their personal trainers says that he is certified through "World Fitness Certifications," you may want to question that trainer's qualifications. A trainer's certification is one of the most important factors in choosing a fitness professional. In the same way a heart patient does not want to be treated by a cardiologist who received his degree in a third world country, you don't want to choose a trainer who lacks the knowledge and skills needed. If you train with an under qualified trainer, you may not only be unsatisfied but you could also sustain an injury from improper training.

Along with certifications, you may also want to ask your trainer, "What are the newest trends in fitness?" or more directly, "What is the most recent fitness convention that you have attended?" This will let you know if your trainer is continuing in his/her education and whether or not you will be given fresh and new exercises over the course of your sessions. Some trainers have made a full time career out of training and have a passion for helping people reach their fitness potential. These trainers are consistently attempting to build their "exercise repertoire" in order to keep you inspired and stimulated by your training sessions. If your trainer is unable to give you a proper answer for either of these questions, you should expect to eventually become bored with this particular trainer's sessions. Lastly, it is important that you "like" your personal trainer. If you simply don't enjoy the personality of the trainer, try a different trainer! Don't let the trainer pressure you into buying sessions, simply let him or her know that you don't think this will work out. This often leads to our next common mistake:

Mistake #2- Don't buy sessions with a personal trainer until you are confident that they are qualified and that there is potential for a friendly client/trainer relationship.

If you don't like your trainer, you will likely use this as further justification why you shouldn't go workout. You should ENJOY spending time with your trainer, even if they do push your limits! The last issue is one that most readers think is the most important: cost. What you will find when you examine the hourly prices of personal trainers is that most trainers have considerably competitive prices. (Of course, this is not taking into account the gym membership fee for gym-based trainers.) Trainer's prices are usually so close that the cost should be regulated to a minor factor in your decision. But of course, it is not advised that you should jump at the first trainer's prices; a conscientious consumer should play the field and check different trainers' rates. If a trainer that you like is a few dollars more than a competitor, you should probably deal with the extra few bucks and enjoy your sessions. If your budget is fixed, there is also the possibility that an independent studio trainer may be willing to negotiate. Just like when you purchase a home or car, you should "get due return for your investment." Therefore if a trainer is charging considerably less, they may not be qualified to be training and you may not get the results you desire. But on the other hand this principle can lead you to make the opposite mistake:

Mistake #3- Just because a trainer charges an arm and a leg doesn't mean that he or she is a qualified and competent personal trainer.

If you discover a trainer that charges much more than the others, don't automatically assume that he is the best of the bunch; even if he does have Hulk sized muscles! They may simply have more overhead costs than the other trainers, or they could simply be a shyster out for a fast buck. Therefore, as advised at the beginning of this section, your decision should be based, to a large extent, on the qualifications of the trainer rather than any other factor.

Hopefully, after considering these three factors: Location, Qualifications, and Cost, you will be able to find a personal trainer that suits your personality, is able to help you reach your fitness goals, and whose sessions you truly enjoy. No one likes to be stuck in a bad relationship, nor does anyone like to be stuck with a bad personal trainer.

Things to remember
1. Find a training location that is close to you.
2. Decide whether you want to become a gym member or be trained in a personal training studio.
3. Make sure your trainer is certified and is continuing in his or her education.
4. If you don't like the trainer, don't buy any sessions!
5. While cost shouldn't be an overwhelming factor, a wise consumer always check's competitors prices.

Jennah Hardy has been helping people strive for their fitness goals and to achieve a healthier way of living for over 9 years. She has her personal training certification from ACE (American Council on Exercise) and NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), her certification in sports nutrition with SCW, and her Prenatal/Postpartum exercise design certification through DSF. Jennah is the owner of "Strive for Life Personal Training" in Matthews, NC. She can be reached through her website at www.strive4life.com .