We talk about it at work, at home, with our friends and our colleagues and sometimes we talk about it to strangers as a way to break the ice and find common ground...

Health, Fitness and Wellness of course. What were you thinking about? It?s on our minds,
on our lips and is usually the first thing we think about when looking in the mirror.

With so much information out there on how to achieve weight loss, fat loss, increase fitness, or even run a marathon, how do we choose what is right, and what is not? How do we know which information is backed up and supported in evidence and which information
is just someone?s opinion?

One way to help you achieve your goals and to stay motivated is to hire a personal trainer. There are a number of questions that you can ask your potential Personal Trainer, and to help you choose a PT that?s right for you, I have listed my top seven questions that should either be asked or at least researched.

1. Are they certified by an RTO (registered training organisation) or governing body that is accredited and specialised in educating and qualifying Personal Trainers. The American Council on Exercise(ACE) is an organization that specialises in certifying Personal Trainers in Thailand (www.acefitness.org). If in doubt, ask to see their certificate.

2. Some trainers who have more than the minimum requirement have a Bachelor Degree in Exercise Science or Human Movement. This type of trainer has a greater capacity to understand functional anatomy, exercise physiology (the effect that exercise has on the body), and biomechanics (the mechanics of the body). If you need to rehabilitate a particular body part, then this is the qualification you seek.

3. Do they have a first aid qualification? Any PT who has studied and sat
an exam with a governing body such as A.C.E will have been required to also pass an Emergency First Aid course. This helps distinguish qualified people from those just calling themselves a trainer and could potentially save your life.

4. Experience in Personal Training: Is your trainer new to the industry or have they got years of experience? The old saying of you get what you pay for is very apt here. A new trainer might not have the experience to recognise when something is too hard for you or even too easy and when you need to be challenged. And you do need to be
challenged... A new trainer only has a limited number of resources at their disposal compared to an experienced trainer who should have unlimited resources to help you achieve your goal, adapt an exercise or to realise when exercise is not the answer but maybe a rest day is in order to help your body recover, so that you may become stronger and fitter for tomorrow.

5. Is this a hobby for your trainer or is this his/her profession? A professional Personal Trainer will take pride in their work and make sure that you are achieving the goals that you set out in your original assessment.

A non-professional PT will somehow make the session all about them and not about the most important person in that session?. YOU!

6. Do they actually look the part? A good trainer will have an understanding of Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Nutrition, and Exercise Psychology.

They should understand that the session is all about YOU and it is your exercise session not a way for them to get paid to workout. They should look and sound as though they are speaking from the heart and that they live their words and practice what they preach?

7. Personal Trainers are like a pair of trainers. They come in different colours, different shapes and are designed for different terrains. Sometimes you need to
try on a few until you find out which one suits you best. Remember, unlike at any other time in your fitness activities?. One on One Personal Training is all about YOU!

I hope this helps you in your pursuit of finding a Personal Trainer that will help you achieve your goals whatever they may be. Good luck in your training and your pursuit of happiness.

Your PT,
Darren Hancock (Bachelor of
Exercise Science)
Exercise and Lifestyle Coach