FAQ

1. Why should I have a personal trainer?: People may decide to have a personal trainer for many different reasons but they can all be summed up as "to get results". The main aim of a personal trainer is to help their clients achieve their goals and they may do this in a variety of ways. There are a number of key areas that a good Personal Trainer will excel in:

Motivation - A Personal Trainer will inspire and â€˜prod' you during your training helping you achieve more than you think you could on your own. By making appointments with your personal trainer that fit into your own schedule, you will be motivated to attend so you â€˜don't let your trainer down' - you have to pay anyway so you might as well train.

Exercise Technique - The key to improvement is all about technique. Your Personal Trainer will guide you through each exercise, set and rep with perfect technique every time. This means greater results in less time.

Goal Setting - A Personal Trainer should be skilled in goal setting and exercise programming to help the client reach their individual goals e.g. lose body fat, run a marathon or be able to climb the stairs without gasping for air.
2. What to look for when choosing a personal trainer: There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when choosing a Personal Trainer:

Qualifications:

To be registered as a Personal Trainer with Fitness Australia, the fitness professional must hold Certificate III and Certificate IV in Fitness as a minimum qualification. All registered Personal Trainers must also hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate. Of course we hope that this would never be necessary, but in the event of an accident or injury, your Personal Trainer will be able to provide immediate first aid until medical help arrives.

Registration:

All registered Personal Trainers have a registration card that notes their Personal Trainer status. Whilst these cards differ in each state, all registered Personal Trainers should be able to demonstrate their registration status. You can also call your state or territory association to check that your Personal Trainer is currently registered.

You may be unaware that in many states and territories there is no mandatory qualification or registration for Personal Trainers. It is in your interest then, to make sure the Personal Trainer you choose is both qualified and registered.

Insurance:
Personal Trainers should have a minimum of $10,000000 Public Liability and $5,000000 Professional Indemnity cover. Make sure the Personal Trainer you choose has adequate insurance, you hope never to need it but if you do, you need to know that you are able to make a claim if you are injured. This is especially important if your Personal Trainer is not employed in a Fitness Centre, for example one who specialises in outdoor training.

Experience:
Just as there are different clients with varying needs, so there are Personal Trainers who specialise in different areas of fitness. Make sure the Personal Trainer you choose has experience in any specific area you need to reach your goals. Personal Training is much more than exercise supervision, you need to make sure your Personal Trainer can deliver what you want and need.

Personality:
Working with a Personal Trainer can be a very intimate relationship. Some people may respond well to fairly aggressive instruction, whilst others are happier with a more nurturing approach. Although Personal Trainers must always maintain absolute professionalism, they, like their clients, differ in their personality and approach. Make sure you feel comfortable with your chosen Personal Trainer, what works for your friend or family member may not work for you!
3. What questions should I ask when looking for a personal trainer?: There are a number of questions that everyone should be asking their potential Personal Trainer. Such questions are not limited to, but may include:

-What are your qualifications?
-Are you registered with Fitness Australia?
-How much insurance do you hold?
-What experience have you had?
-What do you consider to be your fitness specialty?
-Where will the personal training sessions take place?
-If it is outside, what arrangements are made when the weather is bad?
-How often should I see you?
-Can I work on my own as part of the program?
-How much do you charge for a session?
-How long is a session?
-What happens if I cant keep an appointment due to illness?
-What is your cancellation policy?

There may also be specific questions related to the specific to you as the client that the trainer will need to ask you.

-Specific health needs
-Past injuries
-Weight loss/gain
-Specific aims and goals

Remember, a Personal Trainer is not a substitute for a medical or allied health professional, but can and should work with them in the best interest of the client where necessary.

A Personal Trainer can help you set and achieve your goals but cannot do the work for you. However, if you make a commitment to yourself, your Personal Trainer will Ã¢â‚¬Ëœget you thereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢.
4. How often should I train with a personal trainer?: One size does not fit all!

Each person has unique health and fitness goals. An individual program will depend on your starting point, your goals and your ability to stay accountable to the fitness program.

For optimal performance and adherence to the program it is ideal to have a personal trainer with you for each workout. However, this is not always possible and your trainer may write for you a at home fitness program to follow. For the first 12 weeks of a training program, we recommend that you work with a trainer 2-3 times per week.

After this adaptation phase if you are able to stick to your program it is recommended that you see a trainer 1-2 times a week as your ongoing maintenance program.

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