How would I find a good personal trainer?

[Jenny in Florida]

I've been working hard at fitness stuff for the last couple of years, but I'm noticing some issues I'd like professional help sorting out. My husband is encouraging me to sign up for a month or two of sessions with a personal trainer to make sure I'm not causing myself damage or exacerbating existing issues. 

I do not belong to a gym and don't plan on joining one. My husband would prefer that I choose someone who has some kind of credible professional training/certification.

How would I go about finding a good, knowledgeable personal trainer who could get me on the right track?

[jen3kids]

Do you know anyone who belongs to a local gym?   That would be one place to find a Personal Trainer.  Or, do you live near a university or college that has athletic teams?  You could contact their Strength and Conditioning coaches.

 

  If not, look for reviews on the local gyms, read the online reviews, and contact the good ones to see if they have anyone on staff who would be willing to work with you.  

[Carol in Cal.]

Personal recommendations with descriptions are all I would consider.

I have a tendency to injure or at least badly hurt myself every time I work out with someone else leading, even a 10 minute demo of how to do light exercises at work or something.  I told my acupuncturist that I needed to find a trainer that would not hurt me, and why, and she gave me a very specific recommendation of someone who also has physical therapy training and a slow approach.  This, of course, was right before Covid, so I have not approached him yet, but it’s the most promising lead I’ve gotten in years.

I avoid people who are recommended as ‘It was a great workout, I’m still hurting 3 days later.’  Because if someone less injury prone is still hurting 3 days later, I’d be really messed up.

I’ve interviewed trainers and asked them how they prevent injury, and what they mostly have said is no one can do that, or no pain no gain.  So that makes me leery of them in general.  

Finally, I read about physiology and exercise and try to implement what I read, but lighter, to see whether it works for me.  So, for instance, I have an insane book called “Ready to Run” that has a ton of tough exercises and stretches in it that would probably kill me.  BUT, I did see one thing in there that I thought might be doable and tried it to see if it was helpful, and it was VERY helpful.  And based on other books about running, I’ve worked hard to switch to a mid foot/forefoot strike from my lifelong heavy heel strike, mostly to avoid a recurrence of PF, and that has (bonus!  Unexpected!) improved my overall balance tremendously—it’s quite remarkable.  I DON’T FALL ANYMORE.  That is big news.  

[ktgrok]

Given everything going on with your health/balance/etc I'd think you would qualify for some sessions of physical therapy. I'd suggest that instead - they will put the focus on preventing injury, helping with your specific issues, etc. They still do regular exercise -squats, exercise bands, etc but with attention to your health. 

Also, some hospital systems have a gym/fitness program as part of a rehabilitation program - maybe see if any of the local ones do and call to ask about personal training with someone from there?

[Jean in Newcastle]

I love love love my physical therapist.  Now that I am finally (after 8 months) getting past actual rehab type work, a personal trainer that works out of the physical therapist office is going to take over as my personal trainer. 

[ktgrok]

I've used the physical therapists from advent health - I went to the Apopka location but they are all over. Looks like they do exercise/athletic training/injury prevention/etc as well as traditional rehab. https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-apopka/rehab-care

[Jenny in Florida]

31 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

I've used the physical therapists from advent health - I went to the Apopka location but they are all over. Looks like they do exercise/athletic training/injury prevention/etc as well as traditional rehab. https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-apopka/rehab-care

Thanks. I think that's where I'll start. We just changed our insurance plan to one that requires us to use Advent whenever possible, so I'll ask my new primary care doctor for a referral (probably to someone at the Celebration facility, since that's closer to me).

[Jenny in Florida]

Sigh.

Saw the doctor today. She suspects arthritis. She has referred me for physical therapy, but also ordered x-rays and told me to stay off the stationary bike completely for at least a week. 

I really do know there are bigger problems in the world. Heck, right here at home, my husband was diagnosed with a cataract in one eye on Monday. But I feel both resentful and hopeless that every time I find a way to work around whatever obstacle has most recently gotten thrown in the way of my attempts to get/stay active a new obstacle appears.