Irv Rubenstein holds a PhD in exercise science and has operated a personal fitness training studio for 35 years in Nashville, Tennessee. Obviously, he speaks positively about the benefits of using a personal trainer, and this applies to both gym goers and newbies alike.

“Most anyone can teach you how to do a bicep curl,” Rubenstein said in an interview with The Associated Press. “But only a few people can tell you how to do it if your shoulder hurts.”

It can be a maze to find the trainer that’s best for you, Rubenstein admitted.

How much should credentials and education count, or are personality and motivational skills more important? But the cost? And how often should you use a personal trainer? These are just some of the questions that anyone looking for a trainer should ask.

“How do you discern who is the best?” Rubenstein asked. “What works best for you is best. But finding that is the challenge.”

Education and Credentials

In the United States—and in many other countries—there is no national or local government body that licenses trainers. Certification is usually issued by private entities, some more respected than others, and many are in the business of generating revenue more than credibility.

The American College of Sports Medicine is the most well-known in the United States. In Canada, it is the Canadian Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine.

“You should probably ask if the person is certified,” said Rubenstein, who runs STEPS Fitness. “I think it’s valuable, but I don’t think it’s essential. And you should ask about academic training.”

He also issued a warning.

“If a person gets all their information from the Internet — as far as you can discern that — I would avoid that person,” he said of a potential coach.

Personality and motivation

Guy Andrews leads Exercise ETC. from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Like Rubenstein, he says trainers and clients need to mess up. Credentials are important, but a personality match is essential.

“First and foremost, it’s a service relationship,” Andrews said. “So you have to bond with the coach first. You must like it. My personality is paramount. I don’t care how well qualified someone is, how well educated they are. If you don’t enjoy working with them, the relationship is doomed.”

Asking friends or gym operators for referrals could be helpful in your search. A good benchmark for a successful relationship is how many years has the referrer spent with their trainer?

“If clients have been with a trainer for eight or 10 years, that’s a good sign,” Andrews said. “Looking good in a tank top is not enough.”

Rubenstein injected another truth and laughed: “Most people who work with a trainer for a period of time will tell you they are the best.”

Another good sign when evaluating trainers is if they offer a “non-contractual relationship”. That means you won’t lose money if you interrupt the service.

“Then you have a coach with integrity and confidence and probably the skills to help you,” Rubenstein said.

There is also a coach’s motivational style to consider. Rubenstein has repeatedly said that the quality of “compassion” is key in choosing the right person. But some might want a basic drill sergeant to push them.

“The rah-rah military attitude might work for the young, the very fit,” he said. “But for the average person, that kind of behavior might not be motivating or stimulating.”

What is the price?

The price is difficult to determine. Costs vary by country and within countries by geographic region. In the United States, you might pay $100-150 an hour in larger cities, maybe $50-75 in other areas. Rubenstein also said the cost compares favorably to manicures and similar personal care services.

The cost can be prohibitive for some, Rubenstein said. They often weed out the young and might favor older customers who have more spending power and need more service.

“It takes away the people who would like a coach from the people who need one,” he said.

How often with a coach?

Andrews and Rubenstein said beginners should meet with a trainer two or three times a week for the first six weeks. After that, once a week might be enough, or even once or twice a month for maintenance and evaluation.

“In terms of motivation, for the average person I don’t think once a week is enough at first,” Andrews said.

Rubenstein explained, “If a person isn’t used to being in a gym, isn’t comfortable with it, or doesn’t feel safe, twice a week with a trainer is a basic routine that will provide benefits—muscle , cardiovascular, balance, etc. they learn it, a person can go once a week or once a month. But that means they have to be motivated.”

Establishing objectives

So, you’ve found your trainer and you’re ready to get down to business. now what? Set some goals.

There are four main goals – depending on the client: weight management, general fitness, special needs and general health.

For each client, “the routines may overlap, but the frequency, intensity and duration will vary,” Rubenstein said.

Setting goals in the initial interview was critical, Andrews said.

“If both parties are not on the same page when it comes to what they want, they are doomed,” he said.

A good coach will recognize unrealistic goals, Andrews said.

“It’s often centered on how they want to look after hiring a personal trainer,” he said. “In my experience, a client whose focus is on how they’ll look after their workout — instead of how they’ll feel — is setting themselves up for disappointment.”