What To Look For In A Trainer

As I've mentioned,one of the things I hope to accomplish with this blog is save the public from pain and heartache in their quest for physical improvement.
As I mentioned in my last post, a lot of misconceptions about working out are due to tv. Reality shows in particular.They have trainers getting in the face of totally unconditioned people, showing potentially dangerous techniques, along with unrealistic promises.The Biggest Loser and MTV's I Used To Be Fat are the best examples( for those who don't know I Used To Be Fat takes high school seniors who are overweight and sets them with a trainer who'll make them lean before they head off into the adult world).
So what should you look for in a trainer? Certification is a very important thing ( for example I am NASM certified) . If the trainer's not certified be very suspicious. What makes them think they can train people? Maybe if they were a military drill instructor or an Olympic athlete they could help . But even then, unless they studied about things like basic physiology and anatomy , they would only be going by what worked for them and not necessarily what will work for you. Paradoxically, be wary of a trainer with a cert but no athletic experience. Like I said earlier, why do they think they can help you? Studying from a book/class is fine but they've never put their lessons to the test. They're just going by a book. They've never had real results (  a 5:00 mile, 400lb squat,etc.). I have put my training to the test, mostly in running races ( 1 mile and upward) along with a power lifting event, as well as some swim endurance activities ( underwater swimming/breath holding).I've seen what works and what doesn't. This rule also applies to cosmetics , i.e losing weight.Speaking of which, look at the trainer. If they look like they've been training at Burger King, doing whopper presses, run away ( you'll save $ and you'll burn calories!). I've seen such trainers. Unless they're coming back from an injury ( which I definitely can relate to) they should lead by example ( 1 similar example that comes to mind is from the movie Pushing Hands. The Tai Chi Chuan sifu/master in 1 scene is smoking a butt while his students are practicing!I don't know whether to laugh or scream!).
1 of the biggest mistakes people make in looking for a trainer is thinking they have to work in a gym. Gyms/physical training, etc. is often referred to as the fitness industry. And like any industry, their goal is to make $ . Of course that's everyone's goal, but at what price? Most commercial gyms make their $ through memberships. And most trainers get a % of gym memberships.This is why many trainers are trying to sell memberships( they get a poor salary, commision is how they make their $).Plus some gyms and their trainers show all types of useless exercises, either pushing people ridiculously hard right from the beginning, or make no challenges as training progresses, the most famous being a gym in this "Planet" that definitely doesn't help "Fitness". There are a few good gyms but you've got to look very hard.
Tell the trainer what your goals are; losing weight, improved athletic performance,etc. See what they say and what they can do for you. Then make up your mind. Price, while a factor, shouldn't be the only factor. Remember,look at the people in those $10 membership gyms. Would you really want to be like them? It may sound self serving but the old saying is true; You get what you pay for.
I hope this gave you an idea of what to look for and what to expect.