How to Find the Best Personal Trainer for You

Best 7  Guide for Fining  a Personal Trainer

When you stop to believe it, finding a personal trainer are often tons like dating: It's tough to seek out that perfect match, the one who gets your goals and during a position|is ready is in a position to zero in on them in a way that motivates you. And a bit like dates, more often than not, it seems like you check in for a training session only to right away wish you'll say, "Check, please!"

Step One Know Your Goals

Regardless of what's led you to take the plunge and try to find a personal trainer, knowing why you want to work with someone will help make the process of finding that someone easier.

So before you walk up to the counter at the gym to sign up for a training session many big-box gyms offer a complimentary trial session, know what you're looking for out of the experience. But you should be prepped to share some details about your goals, too, whether you're looking to train for a marathon or gain upper-body strength, so you have the best chance of being matched with someone who is a good fit.

Step 2: Decide Where You Want to Train

A big-box gym comes with some perks: They typically offer multiple locations, tons of equipment, class options, and even have self-care options . 

Don't want to go *anywhere* to train? Apps such as Adaptiv, Body Love, and the Tone It Up Studio app offer access to workouts and even virtual personal trainers so you can work out from the comfort of your own home.

Step 3: Research Potential Personal Trainers

Now that you know why and where you want to work with a personal trainer, you can dig a little deeper into who you think you'd mesh well with. Most gyms and studios offer personal trainer bios on their websites so check them out and find one with experience and credentials that align with your goals. For example, there could be a client who wants to focus on core training yet the trainer loves CrossFit so all their clients get intense CrossFit workouts.

To avoid that—and to find a personal trainer who understands your goals on a deeper level (say if you're a new mom and want to get back into shape), ask the manager or client services rep if there's someone on staff who has gone through a similar transformation or met a similar goal. If you're looking for training options digitally, browse trainers or workout programs by category (many will group workouts or professionals by what they specialize in).

On the site Trainerize.me you can also peruse thousands of personal trainers, narrowing down the list of potential PTs through a matching algorithm that's similar to a dating app. Stipulations like location, desired service, specialty, and cost weigh in heavily, and you keep swiping until you find one you want to connect with.

Step 4: Test the Waters

No amount of impressive credentials can make up for a personality clash with a personal trainer. "Book a consultation with a coach you're interested in and ask them a bunch of questions about how they would train you for your current goals," says McClure. Most consultations should be free and last around 15 to 20 minutes, and you should be upfront about shopping around, he says. Not only will you learn more about a trainer's coaching style, but you'll also learn more about whether or not you want to spend your time (and money) with this person.

Step 5: Give Feedback and Communicate

After you find a personal trainer, work together to set realistic, measurable goals so you are able to evaluate if the sessions are working, suggests Briganti. There will be good and bad days during your journey, but "if you aren't enjoying the sessions or you feel it isn't in line with the goals you asked for, speak up and let us know," says Reuss. The secret to any relationship? Communication. "Talk openly with your trainer," reminds Briganti. Just remember that it takes two to tango. Before you ask your trainer to change something, make sure you're doing your part and giving the sessions your best effort, says Julie Uhlen, a Denver, CO-based personal trainer.