How to Choose a Personal Trainer: Red Flags, Green Flags & What to Look For

Choosing a personal trainer can be harder than it looks. With countless trainers offering in-person and online coaching, how do you know who you can actually trust?In this episode of The Boys Who Get It, MP, Dwayne and Christian break down what beginners should look for when choosing a personal trainer, drawing on their combined 30+ years of gym experience and their own backgrounds as personal trainers.The boys discuss the biggest personal trainer red flags, including trainers who try to sell you a programme before understanding your goals, use a one-size-fits-all approach, become defensive when questioned, or focus more on their own appearance and reputation than their clients.Whether you're completely new to the gym, considering hiring a personal trainer, or looking for an online fitness coach, this episode is designed to help you make a more informed decision and avoid wasting your time and money.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeHow to choose the right personal trainer for your goalsThe biggest red flags to look for when hiring a personal trainerWhy a trainer's physique doesn't necessarily make them a good coachWhy personal training should never be a one-size-fits-all approachWhat are some green flags to look for when hiring a personal trainerWhat Are the Red Flags When Choosing a Personal Trainer?One of the biggest red flags is a trainer trying to sell you a programme before understanding anything about you. A good personal trainer should want to know about your schedule, current training, nutrition, goals and circumstances before prescribing a solution.What Makes a Good Personal Trainer?According to MP, Dwayne and Christian, a good personal trainer should be able to do more than demonstrate exercises or explain one aspect of fitness. A good coach should understand the mechanics behind training, explain exercises clearly, adapt their approach to the individual and help the client actually achieve their goals.How Can You Tell if a Personal Trainer Is Legit?One of the simplest ways is to look at their previous work. The boys recommend looking for evidence that a trainer has successfully worked with different types of clients, rather than only showcasing their own physique or transformations involving already-experienced lifters. Client testimonials, progress photos and examples of people with different starting points can all help demonstrate whether a trainer has experience helping people with goals similar to yours.Chapters00:00 – What to Look for in a Personal Trainer10:38 – Personal Trainer Red Flags13:45 – Personal Trainer Green Flags15:30 – Does Your Trainer's Gender Matter?16:53 – Why Looking Fit Doesn't Make Someone a Good Coach17:43 – Inappropriate Trainer-Client Relationships21:49 – Why a Good Trainer Needs More Than One Skill22:40 – How Good Trainers Explain Exercises25:45 – Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Trainer29:46 – Final Thoughts on Choosing a Personal Trainer