Seniors who haven’t been exercising regularly may not realize how important it is to start right with a personal trainer. It’s easy to get injured by not doing exercises properly, and injuries can derail the best intentions. Here’s what you need to know.
One of the many advantages of working with a personal trainer is to create a customized training program suited for your age, body, and current condition. A trainer can guide you until you understand enough about your body to avoid injuries.
Plus (a Big Plus!), a trainer will motivate you when you’re tired. This is a big reason for seniors. A trainer will show you what a little bit of effort can do to get you energized and feeling good again. He or she will teach you that you can always do more than you think you can.
Finding the right personal trainer depends on your expectations, the trainer’s skill and experience (and sometimes, credentials), availability and personality.
What Are Your Senior Fitness Goals?
To begin, I recommend you review your expectations and needs. For example:
- Would you prefer an “at home” trainer?
- How frequently do you want to meet?
- What days/times of day are best for you?
- What are your fitness goals?
- Do you have any concerns, limitations, health considerations, etc?
- When was your last physical examination?
Gather this information, prioritize your needs and goals, and be prepared to share this information with your personal trainer. Before you begin any program or make any commitment with a trainer, you should discuss these points. Then, use the list below for your interview questions.
Personal Trainer Interview Questions
- What training have they had?
- How many years experience?
- Do they have any specialization(s)?
- What certifications or credentials do they have?
- Do they carry liability insurance?
- Can they provide references?
- What assessments do they offer?
- How frequently do they prefer to meet?
- Where and when are they available?
- What are their rates?
- What is their minimum number of sessions to get started?
- What is their cancellation policy?
- What is their preferred method of communication and scheduling? (phone, text, email, website, gym or other)
- How do they monitor, test and analyze your progress?
- What is their experience with nutrition and diet?
- What is their fitness philosophy?
- How will they motivate you?
The three most crucial benchmarks for seniors are bone density, muscle mass, and body fat. I encourage you to obtain a baseline test before you begin your exercise program. Most personal trainers can test you for body fat and BMI (body mass index).
Not all certifications are created equal, especially when you travel internationally. For general information, check out this post from the American Council for Exercise. If you have any concerns about a specific trainer, check out this list of red flags.
The right trainer will recommend a good exercise program designed specifically for you, monitor your form doing the movements, and help you achieve optimum performance level.
Recent Comments