QUESTION: What is the #1 Predicted Fitness Trend of 2011?
ANSWER: A customer base searching for a more qualified and educated trainer/coach to work with.
I think that's a huge statement regarding how people are starting to take their health, it's importance, and the overall cost of it. More people are reading food labels now more than ever, TV shows like "Biggest Loser", "Heavy", "Made", etc are gaining popularity with each and every passing moment; and mix that all in with a somewhat challenging economic struggle for some Americans, and 'POOF!' you've got a customer base that is more interested in who exactly is training with them, their friends, and most importantly their children!
In this day and age of fitness, health, and overall appearance, I truly believe that most people are looking for a qualified personal trainer to get the job done. Whether it's trimming some inches of your body, improving your young athlete's speed and agility, or having the ability to finish your first 5k race without stopping; people are making sure that they aren't simply signing up with the program or company that is the most convenient.
For those of you that are searching for a program, coach, or instructor of any sort, but are having trouble how to decide on one, take a look at a list of appropriate questions to ask when meeting with a potential fitness instructor for you or a loved one.
1. Simply ask what their credentials/qualifications/educational background in fitness is. An fitness professional should have at least 1 nationally recognized certification or license on Personal Training, Biomechanics, or Exercise Sciene, along with at least 3 years of experience with training people. This is a great lead in question to begin with. You want to work with someone who didn't just check out "Top 10 Exercises for your Abs" on YouTube in the last few months.
2. Ask for a success story where the trainer has improved someone's life in a particular way(s). Simply saying "Well this one lady lost ALL this weight in a matter of no time!" just simply doesn't cut it. A quality trainer will tell you the person's name (maybe just first name), their goals and how they attained them, as well as talking about something that changed within the client such as self esteem, gained confidence, they shared their experience with their family, etc.
3. Ask for a free week of training. Yes, a week. Not just one session, consult, or walk-through. Have the trainer actually work with you and TEACH you something. I stress this so that you can see if you are going to have a good personality match with the trainer. Ask yourself, "Did I learn anything from this experience?" A good trainer will actually teach you something about your body, a foreign piece of equipment, or maybe even a skill (throwing, catching, reaching, bending, etc).
So now that I've completely exposed what to look for in a quality trainer, I hope you take the time to get to know me just a little bit. Head on over and see what training at MEYER FITNESS can do for you!
Serious Training. Seriously FUN!
Bill
