Burn with Kearns: How to choose a personal trainer – Kevin Kearns

By Kevin Kearns, contributing writer on exercise, fitness

A comprehensive guide on how to choose a personal trainer

My name is Coach Kevin Kearns. I have been a personal trainer and strength coach since 1987.  Personally, I have worked with over 15 UFC fighters and have created our own MMA Fitness Training certification system, which is now global, as well as produced over 15 workout videos and written over 300 articles. I have presented for Idea Fitness , ECA, SCW, and Can Fit Pro. My sponsors include JumpSport Fitness Trampolines, WearTrueForm, Purmotion, TITIN, Bosu , Rev Gear , and Hedstrom Fitness. Yet I am still training clients one on one and small groups on a daily basis. This is why I was asked to write this article.

Choosing a personal trainer can be no easy task in today’s market. The internet for the personal training business is a double edged sword. A trainer’s website can look outstanding!  But then on a first training session it can leave you wondering if you called the right number. It can also be challenge when you see the best in shape trainer. You think to yourself  “wow, I want to look like that guy or girl.” Then, while training with them, you realize they are spending more time checking out their pecs in the mirror than making sure you bench press correctly.

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Have no fear. There are some simple steps to choosing the right trainer.

1. Word of mouth – this is an age old tool that has been around since man has been selling services. When in doubt ask a friend or family member if they are using or know of a good trainer.
2. Check the references – ask for references of other clients they have worked with in the past, and who are their current clients. Many times, this is a great place to start.
3. Credentials – check them out – if a trainer does not have at least one certification chances are they are not the trainer for you. Also check out who certified them, too. If they took tests online, in one day, that would not be the person to hire. I have a tendency to lean towards trainers that have an actual degree in a fitness related field. This also has to be taken with a grain of salt. I have worked with trainers who have a master’s degree who did not know the right side of a kettlebell.
4. Reputation – street cred, or more importantly, gym or fitness cred, is important as well. What are other trainers and clients saying about this person? What have they been doing in their career? Better yet is it a career, or they just looking to make a few bucks on the side? Trainers that are committed do this job full-time. It’s a calling, not just a “jump in and out”  job.
5. Style of training – is this the trainer that’s the right fit for you?  Depending on what you are looking for is the type of trainer you will need. If you want to look like a bodybuilder, or are concerned with how much you can dead lift, then a trainer that is only teaching Pilates is not the place to start.
6. Your needs and goals – a good trainer will focus on what your needs and goals are, not theirs. I have a client that has been with me for 2 years who has had prior heart disease. One trainer he saw before me was so adamant about him being able to bench press a lot of weight, he fired the trainer. That client happened to be the president of one of the top banks!
7. Pills powders and potions – okay this is a real red flag. Quick weight loss schemes never work. This is why we have an obesity pandemic. If it worked, we will all be at our ideal weight. I never have had a client use or take anything I would not put into my body. Many will up-sell you on this powder, or this vitamin. If I don’t use it, I won’t recommend it!
8. Lack of personal depth – this is a big one that was conveyed to me by my mentor, Douglas Brooks. If the trainer has no personality or enthusiasm, how are they going to motivate you at 5am!  Do they have an integrity model? Burn With Kearns is EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, and SAFE.
9. Business is Business – I have seen many a trainer that crossed this line too many times. If you hear thru the grapevine that this particular trainer dates his or her customers, it’s another red flag, and I consider it unprofessional.
10. 10. Right client right trainer – is this a match? You need to ask yourself if you could actually, outside of this business, have a good conversation with them. I can generally tell if someone is the right fit for me, or one of my other trainers, or not.  It’s ok for you not to like someone, it happens from time to time.
11. Communication and follow up – does this person communicate well? And how is their follow up? My rule of thumb is if I don’t know something, I’ll tell the client I will get back to them on that concept.  As far as explaining the exercise, be clear and concise. Above that, you might have to show them the drill multiple times and sometimes delete the exercise completely from the program. As Bruce Lee would say, “Absorb what is useful, and throw out the rest.” With follow up, anything more than 3 to 6 hours is way too long. These are your clients and your income! You snooze you lose!

Coach Kevin Kearns Founder Burn With kearns.com Founder MMA Fighter Fit

2012 Top UFC Magazine S and C Coaches

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Coach Kearns – BurnWithKearns.com – Direct: 508 404 8503

Both of Coach Kearns’ books may be purchased on www.Amazon.com. For more information about Coach Kevin Kearns, including scheduling speaking engagements and classes (both online and in person), please contact him at 508-404-8503 or [email protected].

Author of “There’s Light In The Tunnel” How to Survive and Thrive with Depression  – “Always Picked Last“ A guide to navigating bullies on Amazon and Audible 

youtube.com/user/burnwithkearns 

https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/burnwithkearns

Coach Kevin Kearns has been coaching in the world of fitness, nutrition, and tactical self defense for over 3 decades. As the former conditioning coach to 15 UFC Pro Fighters, and ranked in the Top 5 in the UFC , he is no stranger to the the importance of proper nutrition and proper mindset programming. He has long advocated to all his clients – athletes or the general population – about the importance of programming mind, body and spirit. 

Coach Kevin Kearns BS FMS CPT – Former conditioning coach to 15 UFC Pros Ranked in Top 5 by the UFC Personal Fitness Coach, Author, Columnist, Motivational Speaker, Corporate Wellness Consultant, Youth Wellness Program Provider, Certification Specialist, Personal Self Defense, and Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Specialist Www.BurnWithKearns.com.