What to Look for in a Personal Trainer (And What to Avoid for Real Results)

Finding a personal trainer isn’t about choosing someone with the most followers or the flashiest certifications. If you’re serious about making a change, you need a trainer who’s going to hold you accountable, push you, and keep you on track when you’re dragging. Is it worth it to get a personal trainer? YES —if you pick the right one. Here’s what to look for in a trainer who’ll actually get you to your goals and what to avoid if you're DONE wasting time and making excuses.

1. Look for Real Experience—Not Just a Wall of Certificates

Anyone can take a test, get certified, and call themselves a trainer. But that doesn’t mean they know how to get REAL people, REAL results. Experience is everything. A trainer who’s been around knows what it takes to push you past your comfort zone and understands how to actually make change happen.

What to Look For:Find someone who’s got a track record with clients like you. Ask about specific examples of client success stories. If they can’t tell you about a real client who made serious progress, they probably don’t know what they’re doing.

Red Flags:A trainer who talks more about their certifications than about real results isn’t in the business of getting you results. Experience is about seeing what works, adapting it, and being able to get it done with anyone who’s willing to put in the effort.

2. Accountability Over Pep Talks—You Don’t Need a Cheerleader

Motivation fades. Accountability sticks. A trainer who’s there just to hype you up isn’t going to get you anywhere. You want someone who’ll call you out when you’re slacking, show up even when you don’t feel like it, and make sure you’re putting in the work.

What to Look For:A serious trainer checks in on your progress, sets goals, and won’t let you slide by with half-hearted efforts. They’ll challenge you when you’re not giving 100% and make sure you’re pushing yourself, even when it’s tough. Accountability isn’t about “good job” texts; it’s about keeping you on track and calling you out when you’re falling short.

Red Flags:If your trainer is constantly rescheduling, scrolling on their phone, or letting you off easy, they’re not holding you accountable. You’re here to work, and so are they. Avoid anyone who makes it easy for you to skip out on the effort—it’ll cost you progress, and it’s not worth it.

3. Custom Plans Only—Skip the Cookie-Cutter Workouts

Your goals, your strengths, and your weaknesses are unique. A one-size-fits-all workout isn’t going to cut it. You need a trainer who’s actually interested in creating a plan just for you, not one that looks exactly like what they’re giving everyone else.

What to Look For:A good trainer will assess your current fitness, ask about your goals, and design a plan around you. Every session should fit into a bigger picture, building towards your specific goals, and adapting as you improve. 

Red Flags:If everyone in the gym is doing the same workout, that’s a problem. If your trainer doesn’t ask about your goals or adjust your program as you go, they’re not invested in you. You’re paying for more than a copy-paste plan, so don’t settle for less.

4. Pushes You—But Knows When to Back Off

A trainer’s job is to push you out of your comfort zone. If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing. But they should also know when to ease up so you can avoid injury and burnout. You want someone who’ll push you to the limit but knows the difference between a challenge and recklessness.

What to Look For:A trainer who’ll challenge you but listens to your feedback, keeps an eye on your form, and respects your limits. Growth comes from hard work, not from beating your body up. Your trainer should push you without being reckless.

Red Flags:If a trainer’s all about “no pain, no gain” and doesn’t pay attention to form or recovery, that’s a problem. Same goes for trainers who let you coast without pushing you at all. You’re not paying someone to keep things easy—you’re paying them to get you stronger and better.

5. Consistency Beats Quick Fixes

Anyone who’s promising you “quick results” is setting you up to fail. There are NO shortcuts to lasting change. You need a trainer who’s focused on building consistent habits, discipline, and a routine you can stick with, not someone selling you fake overnight transformations.

What to Look For:A good trainer will talk about long-term goals, not just the next few weeks. They’ll help you build habits and routines that you can keep up. Consistency is everything. The right trainer will focus on getting you to show up and put in steady work every week.

Red Flags:Trainers who promote extreme diets, weight-loss promises, or “magic” results are interested in quick wins, not long-term progress. Real results come from showing up regularly and putting in the work. If it sounds too good to be true, GUESS WHAT - It probably is. 

6. A Trainer Who Teaches You, Not Just Tells You What to Do

The best trainers don’t just hand you a workout—they teach you why you’re doing it. They want you to understand the process so you can make progress, even when they’re not around. A trainer who cares about your growth will make sure you understand each exercise, how it helps you, and why it’s in your plan.

What to Look For:Find a trainer who explains the purpose of each exercise and encourages you to ask questions. They should be interested in your learning, not just in making you sweat. The goal is for you to know enough that you can eventually train on your own if you want.

Red Flags:If your trainer doesn’t explain things or dismisses your questions, they’re not setting you up for success. You want someone who’s focused on helping you get better and understand how to keep making progress—not just running you through random workouts.

So, is it worth it to get a personal trainer? Yes, if you find the right one. You’re here to put in the work, and so is your trainer. Don’t settle for someone who’s just going through the motions.

If you’re ready to get serious about your progress, get in touch with ABOVE today.

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