Q&A with International Best Selling fitness author, James Villepigue

1.Q: What does a personal trainer do?

   A: A personal trainer will often play many roles. First and foremost, a trainer is hired to ultimately help you achieve your health & fitness goals. A good trainer is someone who holds you accountable and keeps you on point. If you say you’re going to achieve a new you, the first step must begin with you really being ready for that new change.

A nationally certified trainer should educate you on proper exercise technique and form, proper eating tips and a powerful exercise plan of action. A quality trainer will guide you accurately and keep you on track along the way to a new you.    

2. Q: Are there different styles of personal training? Whom do they benefit?

  
    A: There are many different styles of personal training. Most trainers can be hired to train you in a local gym where they regularly train their clients or they’ll often willingly make a visit to your regular gym. Brining a trainer into your gym will usually cost you an additional daily gym rate fee and personal training percentage paid out to the gym. Don’t be afraid to interview a prospective trainer. Ask them what their style of training is; are they assertive? Are they too Drill sergeant like? Are they a pushover? You shouldn’t stop searching until you find a great match; a trainer who really motivates you and trains you the way you want to be trained.   

Many trainers are now training their clients remotely. They may rely on the Internet, the phone or a mix of both. A best case scenario is to meet with your trainer one or two times a week and work with them remotely another two days a week. It makes for great motivation, awesome results and a little weight loss on the purse!   

3. Q: What are the benefits to having a personal trainer (especially for a bride-to-be)?

  
    A: Remember the old song, “Get me to the church on time”? Well when it comes to looking your best in your wedding dress, time is of the essence and the time you’ve got left until that special day is the time you need to make work for you.

A trainer can help you set time oriented and realistic goals. Think S.M.A.R.T Goals. Your trainer can help you create a direct plan of action that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. If you’ve got 6 weeks until a special event and you need to lose a few here and tone up a bit there, a trainer can help you reach your goals by helping you get the most out of the time you have left - Most importantly, the safe and effective way!

4. Q: Where do I find a good personal trainer?

    A: Your best bet is to contact the most highly recognized personal fitness trainer credentialing organizations directly. If you visit Americas Council on Exercise (ACE), at www.acefitness.org, you’ll see a link that say’s “Find an ACE Professional”.

Also try the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). Simply Google the name NSCA and it will provide a “Trainer Locator” link for you. Choose your state and city and you’ll soon have a list of available trainers in your area.

5. Q: Are there any good supplements (reading material, DVDs) to a personal trainer?

    A: Finding a great personal trainer shouldn’t be very difficult. Take my advice and contact the credentialing organizations for trainers in your area. Once you found a few, write down some questions for them. Ask them how long they’ve been training people, is their training style gender specific? Can they provide referrals from happy clients, etc.

Call them and see how you feel talking with them. If they’ve effectively answered your questions, supplied you with some satisfied past or existing clientele and you felt a good rapport with them, you’ve very possibly met your match! Don’t stop there…Ask them for a complimentary training session. Let them know that you’re serious about being trained and that you’d just like to make sure that you both mesh well together.