How to Find a Personal Trainer in Etobicoke

When clients say they found us by 'word of mouth' that's always heartening. But what do you do if you don't know someone who knows someone?

1. Decide what you want

Before starting the search for a trainer or coach, it's important to decide what you're looking for. Are you trying to eliminate pain? Are you trying to get stronger? Lose weight? Run your first marathon? Whatever the goal, it's critical that you search for someone who has the skills that can help you achieve your targets.

2. Cast the net

Do a simple web search for trainers in your area and see who shows up. Check out the websites and reviews and call a few who interest you. Be sure to have a couple of questions ready but also pay attention to the questions they ask you. A good coach should ask about your goals and your current fitness level. They should encourage you to come and visit the facility (if the fit seems right) and tell you a bit about their own process.

3. Evaluate the coach

There are lots of people who can tell you what exercises to do and how to do them. They might even be able to tell you exactly what to eat and when. But you're looking for a coach - someone who can give you the tools to become self sufficient with your health and fitness. This person should be able to teach you how to know you're doing the exercises properly and how to manage your lifestyle to ensure it meets your health and fitness goals. So how do you know if you've found this person?

First, a good coach should spend more time listening than talking. If you spend the entire meeting listening to someone tell you why you should buy their services, this might not be the right person for you no matter how experienced they are. This might seem counterintuitive but think about what a session might look like with such a person. If you start talking about pain you're experiencing, you want someone who will really listen to what you're saying and ask questions to find out more. You probably don't want someone who dismisses your pain and has the answer right away without actually hearing what you've said.

Second, experienced coaches should recommend a programme for you that fits your goals and give you a couple of options. This might even mean that the coach says you're not ready for whatever he or she is offering. While that might be shocking in the moment, it's definitely a sign that the coach is serious about how she works. I had this experience recently when I was trying to buy a new phone. The salesperson was really honest in saying that the phone I thought I wanted didn't fit my needs at all, and I should consider the much cheaper option. This meant lower commissions for that person but they gained my trust and respect and I would definitely recommend them to anyone else who needed a new phone.

4. Make a decision

If you are truly committed to your goals and you like the coach, try it out! Many places will allow you to cancel if you think there's a really poor fit but chances are you'll see results you never thought possible. The hardest step is really the first one - you just have to take it!

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