How can I find a good - competent Personal Trainer?

[thatsright]

I have my diet down, but will soon join a local gym. The impetus to join to loose weight and just overall stop being a mess. I have a pretty sedentary lifestyle and have not had any real exercise in prob 10 years. It will take quite some time to get where I want to be and I'm fine with that. But I need some help 'learning the ropes' when it comes to weights/cardio. Of curse my new gym will offer to 'assist' finding me a PT to get started. But how do I know the person isn't some unqualified quack?

Is there a website or forum in Boston where I can find someone I won't waste $$$$ on to be miserable? I WANT to spend the $$ to get 1 on 1 instructions to get started on my own and not interested in doing it at home or videos, etc.

Thanks guys!

 

[TmBlackFlag]

I feel like none of them are worth a shit. Save your money, buy the Starting Strength book, read it in detail and then start hitting the gym on your own.

 

[Sid59]

interview them, grab their credentials. treat it like you're hiring anything else, job, nanny, etc.

 

[thatsright]

Is there a decent referral site out there-online or the like? I looked on Google a bit and much of it was sketchy.

 

[SearchMaster]

Also remember that what's right for you isn't what's right for others. My wife runs a gym with a PT department and certain trainers fit better with certain clients better than others.

 

[brikis98]

We just had a similar thread about personal trainers. Read through some of the replies in there.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

If your trainer says anything about lifting light weights for high reps to build tone fire them right away. That's what every trainer at my gym does, and I laugh at them. I don't care what anyone says, you have to lift heavy to build muscle. You won't get bulky because of it. It takes those huge guys many many years to look the way they do, so don't be afraid to make yourself work.

http://www.bodybuilding.com is better than a trainer. It's a website that has a ton of articles on beginner to advanced bodybuilding, and if you take the time to read articles you could save the money you would spend on a trainer.

 

[KoolDrew]

Lyle McDonald actually wrote a decent article on this topic here:
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/choosing-a-reliable-personal-trainer.html

 

[Kipper]

Find someone with a degree in exercise physiology (probably a Master's). Better yet if they have that and a certification from: NSCA, NASM, or ACSM...

Of course, credentials are no evidence of actual knowledge but it certainly helps you separate the good from the bad.

Edit: bodybuilding.com does have some knowledgeable people, but a lot of the articles there are rubbish. Especially the nutrition-focused ones, many of which come off as well-written advertising pieces, not surprising since they have a huge supplement store.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Find someone with a degree in exercise physiology (probably a Master's). Better yet if they have that and a certification from: NSCA, NASM, or ACSM...

Of course, credentials are no evidence of actual knowledge but it certainly helps you separate the good from the bad.

Edit: bodybuilding.com does have some knowledgeable people, but a lot of the articles there are rubbish. Especially the nutrition-focused ones, many of which come off as well-written advertising pieces, not surprising since they have a huge supplement store.

Yeah, if you had to find a personal trainer, I would definitely suggest working with someone who has a CSCS or NCSA PT certification (ACE certification is crap). I think requiring someone to have a Master's is a bit much, since those individuals that have an M.S. in exercise physiology are likely doing bigger and better things. Most individuals who get a B.S. from a good exercise science program will be well education to train.

 

[thatsright]

Sorry I may have left out my goals. I am not trying to get huge, big, HUGE competition type body. Just build lean muscle while at the same time very out of shape and not much muscle to speak of. But most importantly, know how to know what I'm doing. Hell, I'll prob have to start out with 'sissy' 5/8lb dumbbells or something really, REALLY small to start. But, I have to start somewhere...

 

[coreyb]

You realize that guys who train their asses off for years have trouble becoming a "huge, big competition" type guy? It's pretty much only bodybuilders who become overly huge and look like a comic book character.

 

[Jackson001]

If the trainer is healthy fit energetic in look means that the trainer practices what he preaches which is a good sign of their personal and work ethics. They give you a free initial consultation where you can take advantage of this situation by asking your own questions. This may help you to find out your personal trainer.