Personal Trainers
If the mainstream media is any indicator, personal trainers are in. Beyond tabloid coverage of what trainer is behind the physique of which celebrity, immensely popular weight loss programs like “The Biggest Loser” and “Celebrity Fit Club” have provided an intimate, although slightly over-dramatized, window into the relationship between personal trainers and those they train. This guide explores that relationship by providing insight into what personal trainers are, how they work, and how they could work for you.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is a Personal Trainer?
Personal trainers work to help clients reach their fitness goals through one-on-one training ... read more »
Finding a Personal Trainer
The Internet has a few databases that list personal trainers by state and region. Use the Web or your neighborhood fitness center to find the right trainer for you.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Personal trainers are listed on professional associations’ and independent sites. The criteria for reporting and verifying credentials in these databases varies, so when you find someone, call that person’s accrediting organization to be sure he or she has the proper certification.
- Most gyms have personal trainers as permanent members of their staff. If you have a membership at a gym, the simplest way to find a personal trainer is to ask the staff at your gym. But just because trainers may work at an established fitness center does not guarantee that they have all the credentials that you desire. If you choose a trainer at your gym, don’t hesitate to ask about his or her background.
Dulcinea's Picks
To use a professional association to find a trainer ...
The American Council on Exercise
is a nonprofit organization that promotes safe physical fitness, and imposes education and certification requirements for health professionals. Search the site’s large listing of ACE-certified personal trainers by location or name.
The American College of Sports Medicine
(ACSM) has a list of members that can be searched by city, state, or zip code. ACSM members must choose to add their information to the online directory, and the association verifies the credentials its members report.
For independent personal trainer listings …
Personal Trainers’ Network
is an international service that provides individuals and businesses with certified personal trainers. Search for a personal trainer by location, expertise, or name. Find a diversity of specialties to choose from, whether you just want to get in shape or train for a particular sport. The database, however, isn’t particularly large, and you may not find a specialist in your area.
Personal-Trainer-Search.com
has a database of more than 10,000 personal trainers throughout the United States. Search by city or name, but be aware that they only have major U.S. cities to choose from.
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