I had an interesting conversation over the weekend. After chit chatting with someone, it came across that I was in the health and wellness industry. After talking a little more, I informed him that I am a certified personal trainer. This person started asking me about rates and if I had a time slot that he could fill in.

Let me first clear the air. I am NOT a personal trainer. I am certified, but only because I want to stay on top of the fitness field, and hold current certifications is one of those ways that I can. I do a a few clients that I help train, but for the most part, I stay away from full time training for various reasons, the biggest being the reason I am about to tell you.

So back to the story: This individual wanted me to take him on as a client. This individual, who was male, is a triathlete, is in great shape, and is one of the guys in the world that honestly doesn’t need a trainer. So I asked him: “Well, why do you need a trainer?” He replied he needs someone to show him how to workout. This guy runs, bikes, and swims nearly everyday! I told him I don’t think he needs a trainer, informed him of some things I would adjust in his own workouts, but for the most part, he knows what he is doing and if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

Which brings me to pose the questions: Do you really need a trainer? What is your trainer really doing for you? Go to any gym and watch a personal trainer. What are they actually doing? All I see is trainer following their clients, watching them do weak workouts, and try to push supplements down their throat. Do you really need that? Some people do. Some people need the accountability. If they make an appointment with a trainer, they will more than likely show up. But most people don’t. Most people don’t need to play follow the leader through the gym.

If you are one of the many people that have a trainer, ask yourself if you really need a trainer. Can you do the same thing without the trainer? Of course you can! All you need is education, and dedication and you can be in the best shape of your life.

If you are like most people that are going to the gym, you probably have, or have thought about getting, a personal trainer. I may be a little bias because I am a trainer, but personal trainers are a great resource to have in order to help you gain your fitness goals.

But make sure you get the right one. There are quite a few people in today’s fitness industry that think they are a good personal trainer. They sat in a class room for a few hours and listen to someone talk about the body, took a test, and now they are a personal trainer. And you are trusting your health to them?

A good personal trainer is educated. They have more than one certificate (like 5 or 6). They have a bachelors degree in something like exercise science, exercise physiology or Kinesiology. Some may even have a masters degree. They have hands on training. They have years of experience. They have years of education. They have teachers and mentors. They read journals to make sure they are up to date on everything related to your health and wellbeing because after all, aren’t you paying them to make sure your are at the top of your health game?

Don’t be afraid to question your trainer. You should be able to go up to your trainer and ask any health related question and get a qualified answer that relates to you and what you need. If you do not get that, go find another trainer. There are many of them out there. You only have one life to live and you need to make sure you are at optimal health. Paying someone not to get you there is a waste of your time and money.

Personal Trainers are a professional service. If you are not getting the service you need, go find a trainer who will.