Hiring a personal trainer is one of the best decisions you can make when it comes to improving your overall health and wellness. By getting yourself a personal trainer you are more likely to adhere to your workout regimen, decrease the risk of injury and see better results. Now that you've finally decided to take the next step in your fitness journey, it is very important to decipher between making a great investment into your own personal wellness and aimlessly spending money without results, how do you differentiate between the two? Having sound advice on choosing a personal trainer that is right for you! We have listed 5 tips for you to consider, to help you make sure that you are making the best investment with your time and hard earned money.

Tip 1: Make sure your personal trainer has the right credentials!

Not all personal trainers are built the same (no pun intended!) When deciding on which personal trainer you are going to choose it is a great idea to ask them for their credentials. Some key credentials that can separate a good trainer from an average trainer are; CSCS (Canadian Strength and Conditioning Specialist) and/or a trainer that is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Furthermore, some trainers may even be certified in sub-specialties by the NASM in areas like women's fitness, seniors fitness, and orthopedic fitness to name a few. By having trainers certified by bodies such as CSCS and NASM you can count on them to meet very strict professional and competency standards to ensure you get optimal results.

TIP 2: Get a trainer that carries out a thorough medical grade assessment!

In order for a personal trainer to truly help you get the results that you desire, they should complete a thorough assessment to see where your current capabilities lie and what your overall fitness level is before you ever step foot in a gym. Top personal trainers will take you through a rigorous initial fitness assessment which should include:

1) BIA scale: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis is a specific scale that measures the electrical current through your body to help the determine your body composition and truly understand where you are physically.

2) They should take all anthropometric measurements: These are measurements such as hip-to-waist ratio and Body Max Index (your height relative to your weight) these measurements allow them to build a personalized plan to reach the goals you have set out.

3) Determining your One Rep Max: This is the maximum you can lift ONCE per exercise---this is a very important measure as your weight training guidelines can be developed based on this.

Tip 3: Compatibility

When you are looking for a personal trainer it is important to make sure that both of you are on the same page. If you are someone who likes to be pushed to the limit but having a trainer who is very relaxed things may not work out well, conversely if you are the type of person who wants to slowly work their way up and have a trainer whom you feel is a bit too overboard it may not be the best fit. Making sure you and the trainer are on the same page will help create a relationship that will foster better results!

Tip 4: Scheduling and convenience

When deciding on getting a personal trainer it is important to make sure that they fit into your schedule and not the other way around. If you are taking the proactive steps to reach your fitness goals and improve your health it should be done on your time. Having a personal trainer that you have to shift your entire schedule to work with is not ideal and that relationship probably won't last long. When deciding on a personal trainer make sure that you schedule them into your daily schedule when you are available and create a regular workout routine.

TIP 5: Location, Location, Location!

Last but not least it is very important to have a personal trainer that is in close proximity to you. You are more likely to get over those lazy humps if your training location is closer rather than further. Another very important, but very unique aspect of choosing a personal trainer is if they have a private gym where they can train you. Some trainers have personalized one-on-one gym studios where you can work out, ONE-on-ONE. If you feel uncomfortable having people watch you while you are going through your weight loss/fitness journey, these private one-on-one gyms help you get the privacy and confidentiality you want without the hassle of having anyone around. If you're able to locate one of these exclusive trainers, you definitely know that they are going to whip you in to shape.