By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
Trainer Don Heafner at Clark Hatch Fitness Center,
works one-on-one on weight-training with a client.

Choosing a trainer:
Consider experience, training
and certification

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

Are you stuck in a fit

Personal trainers and fitness trainers are everywhere these days. Some work out with clients at health clubs; higher-priced ones will come to your home or office.

"More and more people are using them. It's become the thing to do the last couple years," said Glynis Ramirez, a personal trainer at the Honolulu Club on Ward Avenue.

The advantages of personal trainers should be self evident: Trainers provide motivation, professional expertise and personalized attention, all key components of reaching personal health and fitness goals.

But they'll also help you establish consistent workout patterns: People who make appointments with personal trainers are less likely to make an excuse and miss a workout. And they have more realistic fitness goals, set by trainers who can provide an honest, educated assessment of their potential.

But trainers vary greatly, not only in educational background and cost, but in philosophy, training and consulting practices. Once you've narrowed down a list of potential trainers, talk with the person and ask a lot of questions. These are suggested by fitness experts at the Honolulu Club, Clark Hatch and 24 Hour Fitness.

Why did you become a personal trainer? Personal trainers should not only have a passion for good health and fitness but also want to share their expertise and help others reach their goals.

Do you keep current with research? The answer must be yes. Trainers need to continually update their knowledge through seminars, workshops, books, etc., in order to provide effective information.

What about references and certification? Personal trainers should be certified from a nationally recognized organization such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the American Council on Exercise or the Aerobic Fitness Association of America. They should also be certified in CPR and first aid and be willing to provide references. They also need to insure themselves and their services against personal injury and property loss.

Specifics: Ask about a trainer's specialization and when he/she is available. Is scheduling flexible?

How much? Fees, payment procedures and cancelation policies should be clearly specified in writing. Fees usually start at about $25 for a one-hour session, depending on a trainer's experience, qualifications and demand for their services. Asking a trainer to come to your home is far more expensive.

How long will it take to achieve your goal? Some people choose to work with a trainer for a few months, especially when they're just starting a fitness program or returning to exercise after an injury. Others work with a trainer over the long term to keep them motivated.

Later, ask yourself:

Did the trainer ask about me and my lifestyle? He or she should take your medical history before beginning your first workout as well as chart your progress regularly.

Does the trainer promote an integrated program? The five components of optimal health are strength training, weight management, cardiovascular exercise, nutrition and flexibility training?

Did the trainer have good listening skills and communicate well?

Are you comfortable with the trainer's gender?

Experts in the field warn that some people will pass themselves off as trainers despite having little expertise; others will try to sell more services than needed for the sake of profit.

No state has laws pertaining to the designation itself, said Pete Howard, an athletic trainer certified at Straub Sportsmedicine & Orthopedics on King Street.

"First find out if they're certified," Howard said. "Some people we see (at Straub) have suffered some kind of trauma because they're doing things in a way that hurts them. And you should also ask for references."

Often people don't feel the hurt until a few days later.

"You can do things in the weight room and seem to get away with it until a couple days later when you even can't raise your arm," Howard said.

Local fitness experts agreed that the most qualified trainers combine education, certification and experience.

"Experience is often a better predictor of quality than the type of certification," said Bill Monsen, of Clark Hatch Fitness Center in downtown Honolulu. "And formal education is important as well. The most knowledgeable trainers often have degrees in exercise physiology, biology or a related field."

Another important factor is style. Some trainers are gung-ho military-types; others may emphasize a more holistic approach.

"Trainers have different styles," Ramirez said, "and the client should feel comfortable with that style."