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News : The fitness factor - Finding a personal trainer who's right for you
Los Angeles Daily News - Los Angeles,CA,USA, August 17 2005 -- You've tried everything: the South Beach Diet, step aerobics, the treadmill -- and you still haven't seen results. If your workout is stuck in second gear, it may be time to consider hiring a personal trainer, a private fitness coach who can help you reach your goals through a custom-designed exercise regimen.
Once a luxury of the rich and famous, personal trainers are widely available for private workouts in your home or at gyms throughout the Los Angeles area, with some charging as little as $45 for an hour-long session.
But why hire a professional trainer when so many gyms offer group fitness classes and the latest exercise equipment?
"The benefit is you're hiring an expert to help guide you. That's what they're there for,' says Allen Saltzman, co-owner of Topanga Training and Fitness in Woodland Hills. "You hire a trainer to help you achieve your goals more quickly than you could do it on your own, and more safely.'
Jade Molina, sports performance and fitness director for 360 Health Club in Reseda, agrees. His gym serves 5,000 members and conducts about 1,000 personal training sessions a month. He can spot those in need of professional help.
"Ninety percent of people at a typical health club -- they're exercising improperly,' he says.
Trainers can also be a boon to beginners, who want to get into shape but don't know how or where to start.
"By having a trainer, they can guide you, write out your goals, and assist you in getting the right equipment and reaching those goals,' says personal trainer Kathy Kaehler, who has worked with celebrities Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Cindy Crawford and Michelle Pfeiffer.
When looking for a personal trainer, consider the person's fitness credentials, professional experience and personality, experts advise.
At the 360 Health Club, personal trainers must be certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a Calabasas-based fitness certification program.
"In our opinion, it's the premier leader in personal training certification,' Molina says.
Other reputable agencies include the American Council of Exercise, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, and the American Council of Sports Medicine. A bachelor's degree in an exercise-related field such as kinesiology or physical education is a desirable alternative.
Such credentials are important because they indicate a level of professional expertise, says personal trainer Jeanette Jenkins, president of The Hollywood Trainer, a weight-loss and fitness program.
"Education is important because you don't want someone to hurt you,' says Jenkins, a 14-year veteran trainer who holds a bachelor of science degree in human kinetics from the University of Ottawa.
"There are people who act as personal trainers and they're not certified at all. They may be a proficient athlete or may have worked under another trainer who showed them some things or they may be good at working out themselves.'
Also consider the trainer's professional experience. Can the trainer provide you with a list of clients who have achieved results? Ask for references and follow through with phone calls.
Personality is another key factor when hiring a trainer.
"You have to make sure the trainer is as much of a good fit for you as you can,' Molina advises. "It doesn't matter how good they are at their job if your personalities clash. Chances are, you're not going to last very long.'
Budget, too, comes into play when considering personal trainers.
Typical fees range from $50 to $75 for an hourlong session, with many gyms including sessions in membership packages. Prices climb if a trainer comes to your home, is in high demand or has a celebrity clientele. Their hourly fees can range anywhere from $75 to $200 or more.
Jenkins, for example, has worked with singer-actress Queen Latifah and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, and charges $120 an hour for her services.
How frequently you see your trainer will be influenced by your fitness goals, motivation and pocketbook.
"Ideally, you see a trainer twice a week and come in on your own twice a week, depending on how quickly you want to lose weight. You have to know what you're inclined to do,' says Topanga Training and Fitness' Saltzman.
Molina recommends meeting with a trainer three to four days a week in the beginning, followed by a decreasing number of weekly sessions.
"The first two to four weeks are much more critical because that's when you want to stop and quit. If the trainer can get you past the fourth week, the odds of you committing to a lifestyle (change) are much greater.'
Ultimately, how frequently you see a trainer isn't as important as the quality of the workout, Molina says.
"We're here to empower clients to be fit and to do it on their own and utilize us on a needs basis, whether it's once a month or every six weeks.'
(source : www.dailynews.com)
