You may feel you’ve hit some roadblocks as you assess your health and fitness goals. It might be time to consider hiring a fitness coach. You may have tried diet after diet. Gardening is still super hard on your back. Even after the exercises you do, you don’t feel stronger. You get out of breath running after the grandkids, and your joints and muscles feel much stiffer than you remember feeling in the past.

That’s where the help of a qualified fitness and wellness coach comes in. In my 30-plus years in the industry, I’ve worked for gyms, smaller studios, in-home clients, online training with large and small groups, and individual training. I want you to make the best choice for your health and what’s right for you.

You may have jumped from a free program to a free program to save a few bucks. Each time you are excited that you’ll finally reach your goals. Unfortunately, after the initial 14 days of a free trial, you move on to the next one and never reach your full potential or goals because you’re not following a proven strategy successfully.

Let’s dive into more about a personal trainer and why you might consider hiring a fitness coach.

What’s the difference between a personal trainer and a fitness coach?

Knowing the difference between a personal trainer and a fitness coach is essential. A fitness coach reaches beyond teaching you the skills of fitness training. A personal trainer provides significant input for your workouts and helps you make the most out of your workout, but a fitness coach goes beyond the physical part. A fitness coach provides training programs and how-to’s when it comes to your workouts, plus they focus on what you need outside the training sessions. In addition, a fitness coach who builds a personal relationship with you helps you reach your goals in all aspects of mental, physical, and social health. Evaluate your reasons for hiring a fitness coach or personal trainer, and let that help guide you.

Can anyone hire a coach?

A fitness coach is not just for people who want to get in shape! Some people who are new to exercise may feel intimidated by hiring a coach because they don’t know where to start, but a fitness coach is a valuable resource for everyone.

You might have reasons to consider hiring a fitness coach because you may want to learn new skills. For example, maybe you want to do the Pilates mat work independently. Others may hire a coach because they are recovering from injuries and want to find exercises to add to their injury-prevention toolbox. 

Here are 5 reasons to consider hiring a fitness coach

1. You’re not seeing results.

If you’ve been exercising for several months or even years and you don’t see any changes in your body composition or weight. As we are going through menopause, it can be particularly tough to stay in control of your weight and body fat. Here is where a fitness coach can help: 

• Evaluate your current program and examine if your goals are aligned with your actions
• Help you stay motivated
• Give you the extra little push you need
• Hold you accountable 

2. You don’t know where to start.

You’re new to exercise, and starting something new can be pretty scary. You don’t want to get hurt, look silly, or do the wrong type of exercise. Should you do cardio, but what kind? Strength training, but you don’t want to get bulky! Here is where the expertise of a fitness coach is needed.

• Get started with the most beneficial exercise for you at that time.
• Creating a program that doesn’t feel overwhelming. 
• Your coach will show you how to do the exercises correctly.
• Encourage you to keep asking questions and keep going when you feel discouraged about your progress.

3. You’re bored with the same old workouts.

A qualified trainer will help you get out of the rut and show you new or modified exercises that inspire you.

• Getting you out of the rut of doing the same thing over and over.
• Challenge your workout intensity and push you to do more challenging workouts.
• Introduces new ways of using your current equipment or different ways to do some of the exercises you did not think of.

4. You need accountability or motivation.

A personal trainer will surely motivate you with new exercises, encouragement, and inspiration to keep going. 

• Accountability – You’ll have an appointment you don’t want to miss each week or get a text or call reminding you to show up.
• You’re making a commitment to your coach and yourself by keeping the appointment.  I have a client who works about 70 – 80 hours a week, and she always shows up to our appointments. Even if she can’t stay full-time, she is always there and on time and lets me know how much time we have to exercise.
• Time and money are two powerful motivators to keep you going and showing up.

5. You have a specific injury or medical condition.

After getting clearance from a medical professional, a qualified fitness coach designs a specific program for your situation.

• Helping you get stronger assists in the recovery of an injury, for instance, after a fall.
• Showing you the correct exercises for your condition – I work with clients addressing health concerns like back pain, arthritis, post-physical therapy, and breast cancer survivors.
• Creating a program that is for you and your body, not a generic plan. This helps you to understand what exercises are beneficial.
• Showing you how to do exercises the correct way.

How do you know if you have found a good coach?

First, you should review your reasons for considering hiring a fitness coach. Then, don’t hire the first person you come across, but interview them and find out if you’re compatible. After all, personal training is personal. Once you feel a connection and know that the coach you’re trying to hire is attentive to your needs and understands your goals and health history, it’s time to get to know them. 

8 Credentials to Look for as you Consider Hiring a Fitness Coach

If your personal trainer doesn’t pass each item on the list, you may want to continue looking for a trainer who does. 

1. Education and Certifications. 
2. They Perform Assessments. –  You should start with a variety of assessments as well as use them regularly to measure progress and if you are reaching your goals.
3. They Focus on Progression and Rest. – It is so important to rest so that your body can be healthy and make progress. 
4. They Don’t Ignore Nutrition. – They are helping you make healthy food and nutrition choices.
5. They Walk the Talk. – They are showing up and living what they teach.
6. They Have Client Testimonials. 
7. They Believe In You and Support You.
8. They Help You With Other Struggles In Your Life – How to manage stress at work.

What might a personal coaching session look like?

You feel that you have found the right coach and set up your appointment. There is a big difference in how appointments might be conducted based on where you’re meeting and working with your coach.

The gym: In most gyms, you have a few appointments ahead of the actual workout where you’ll do your performance assessment to measure weight, height, flexibility, body fat, blood pressure, and an intake form about your general health. Once your coach has finished your assessments, they will design a workout for you based on the information gathered. A gym can be exciting because you’ll work out with the machines, balls, kettlebells, or other equipment available while your trainer is coaching and watching your workouts. The drawback is gyms can get crowded during certain times.

Boutique studios: This is a more personal approach. You’ll go through a similar assessment process as mentioned before but without lots of people milling around. Instead, you might find yourself surrounded by a small group class, and you’ll train amongst them. But, again, this depends on the studio’s space. Similarly, the appeal of the boutique is fewer people overall and a more personalized environment.

My studio:  In my Pilates studio, I see one person at a time, and it’s super private as no other people are working out and no classes are going on. My intake process is similar to the one mentioned, but most people come to me for Pilates, nutrition coaching, rehabilitation, or to learn how to stay fit as we get older. I tailor the assessment based on particular points in the process. 

What is a virtual personal coaching session like? 

Virtual personal coaching session: Online training might feel a bit less personal, but it doesn’t have to be. Since COVID, many fitness trainers have been offering online classes and training. Equipment is based on what the client has at home. An experienced coach will watch your every move and make corrections and suggestions based on your performance. 

If you hired a coach for your nutrition strategies, you might discuss meal prep ideas or how to overcome weight loss obstacles. Or a combination of both, as I do with some of my clients. Online you might get some additional forms or an online accountability program along with your sessions. 

Individual training vs. group training

A group session like a Pilates reformer class, a boot camp training, or a duet session always involves two or more people. The bigger the group, the less individual attention you’ll get. These classes can be very motivating as you’ll meet people to workout with, and you might make some new friends. 

Whether you choose individual training or group training is based on your preference of what specific coaching approach you’re looking for, how much time you have to reach your goals, and whether or not you want the full attention on you.

8 Warning Signs of a Trainer You Want to fire

• They are only promoting one training style.
• They don’t correctly develop workouts.
• They don’t empower their clients (to keep them dependent on them).
• They use body shaming to motivate.
• They look at their phone or are eating during training. 
• They talk to other people while you’re doing the exercises.
• They promote unhealthy diets.
• They are selling or suggesting supplements instead of training and good nutrition. 

How long should you work with a trainer?

That depends on your goals. For example, some people want to learn a new skill and brush up on their techniques, or they want a new routine they do independently at home. 

Some of my clients have worked with me for over 18 years. They keep training with me because I support their exercise programs safely, effectively, and freshly by keeping my education up-to-date. As a result, I know their bodies inside and out, I’m aware of injuries and changes in their medical history, and most importantly, they know they can trust me with their health.