Following the Beijing Olympics, the fitness industry is reported to be booming across the whole of Asia.
This is evident in a recent Mastercard survey that showed 78% of the 6,000 people questioned across Asia Pacific will continue to spend on fitness despite the economic downturn.
"Spending on fitness and wellness has become increasingly important, especially for the younger and better educated consumers," said Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, MasterCard's Asia Pacific Economic Adviser.
Asian Academy for Sports and Fitness Professionals (AASFP), the leading fitness academy in Asia, is working to maintain professional standards within Asia and has equipped more than 10,000 personal trainers with the right knowledge and qualifications for safe and effective training.
And the number of personal trainers continues to grow, with Biggest Loser Asia contestants also pursuing this popular career choice. Former contestant Christine White said on leaving The House, “I absolutely love the gym... That is why I am getting ready to leave the Philippines for Singapore, where I hope to secure a position as a trainee personal trainer.”
However, with so many personal trainers to choose from, how do you know who to workout with and most importantly, how do you know if they’re actually qualified?
We reveal the essential credentials of a personal trainer, what questions you should be firing off before hiring and how to find your ideal match.
Credential check list
Unfortunately at present there is no specific accreditation required to be a personal trainer in Asia, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do your own homework to ensure you pick a safe and knowledgeable trainer.
You wouldn’t take on a new employee or childminder without checking out their qualifications, experience and references first and it’s no different when it comes to allowing someone to take charge of your health.
According to Biggest Loser Asia trainer Kristy Curtis, “Before hiring a personal trainer at Fitness First, they look for a National Certification or university degree in Sports Science, Sports Management, Leisure or Recreation.”
Use this as your basic standard requirement before taking on any personal trainer. Ask to see a copy of their CV to check their qualifications and also their past experience within the health and fitness industry.
References are also a great idea, but as Fitness First personal trainer Michael Cunico warned, “A trainer won’t give you references of people who will say anything negative”. It’s therefore also productive to go on a referral from someone who has achieved great results with their current trainer. Ask around at work and with friends to see if they can recommend someone. Still check their references though to get a feel for their training style and past experience.
If you’re looking at trainers within your gym Cunico advised, “Watch how they interact with their current clients while training. Are they on the phone, watching other people or worse still, checking themselves in the mirror?” Their attention should be solely on their client.
If you’re looking at independent personal trainers, a strong referral is advised and also check if they’ve helped people achieve similar goals to yours.
Credential check list:
- National Certification or degree in a sports related subject
- Resume and references
- Referral
Compatibility check list
It’s all very well having the right qualifications and legal documents, but are the two of you a good match?
You will be putting your trust in this person, sharing a very personal journey with them and also training with them at 5.30am when you don’t look your best, so you need to feel at ease in their presence and know you can rely on them to guide you to your goal.
It’s therefore advised to talk with several trainers before making any decisions and keep looking until you feel you’ve found the right one. When you meet, outline your health and fitness aspirations and ask if they’ve helped many other people achieve a similar goal. It’s also important to feel comfortable in their company as you will be spending a lot of time together and getting on well will add some fun and make those early-morning sessions that little bit easier.
Don’t be afraid to talk money either. Everyone has a budget, and if they’re too expensive it’s best you both know. Cunico recommends outlining your goal so the personal trainer can provide a training structure to give you an idea of how many sessions you need and for how long. Once you know this, you will know what it is going to cost and if you can afford the training program they’re suggesting.
Although Cunico believes it’s beneficial to have a personal trainer as much as possible, he said, “As your dedication to your training becomes second nature, the frequency might not need to be as high, but it’s always handy to have someone else providing accountability and motivation.”
So if you are on a tight budget, ask the trainer if they can alter the program slightly towards the final stages of your goal to keep within your budget. Also ask if they do any discounts for long-term bookings – if you’re going to be a reliable client for quite some time, you’re in a position to make a deal.
Compatibility check list:
- Experience in achieving similar goals to yours
- Feel comfortable in their company
- Affordable
It’s important to remember that once you have a personal trainer, this is when the hard work begins. This is not the time to sit back and think they’re going to do all the work for you. Turn up on time, don’t cancel sessions unless absolutely unavoidable and work your hardest when you’re training with them.
A personal trainer can only be as good as their client’s dedication and determination. Find the right trainer, follow their advice and you will reach your goals. It might be up to the personal trainer to guide you to your goal, but it’s up to you to get yourself there.