Deciding on a personal trainer is a bit like dating in your 30s. You're at a point in life where you're done with dating any nice guy out there—you've decided you need to be more selective. You want to ensure that you and the person you're dating have similar interests, share the same goals, and that your differences complement and strengthen each other. The same is true for motherhood and fitness.
Maybe you've tried group fitness classes in the past or worked with a personal trainer who was good at the moment and helped you break a sweat, but it didn't take you any closer to reaching your health and wellness goals. Now, whether you're preparing to give birth, recovering from childbirth, or would like to regain or maintain your fitness to keep up with the ongoing demands of motherhood, it's time to be more selective about your fitness journey.
Like finding the right life partner, finding the right personal trainer requires a good sense of yourself and your goals. It's essential to know what you want to achieve and consider your current life stage as a new or expecting mom. These insights will guide you as you look for the perfect personal trainer.
Particularly if you are preparing for childbirth or aim to regain strength and mobility postpartum, you'll need to work with a personal trainer specializing in pre-and postnatal fitness who understands the challenges unique to new mothers.
Essential Qualities to Look for in a Personal Trainer
Qualifications and Certifications
Certifications are a crucial starting point when considering what to look for in a personal trainer. Ensure the personal trainer is certified through a reputable organization like NASM, ACE, or something similar to these. These certifications guarantee the trainer has a solid foundation in fitness principles and practices.
Additionally, all personal trainers certified through these organizations must keep up with continuing education to maintain their certification. Therefore, it's essential to ask about any additional certifications they might have. The more specific the accreditation, the better—provided it aligns with your goals.
For example, I have a Women's Fitness Specialization certification through NASM, but my Pre and Postnatal Performance Training Specialist certification through PROnatal Fitness is much more valuable for those pregnant and postpartum because it's more niche. A trainer who has been in the industry for a while might not list all their accreditations on their business cards or website, so don't hesitate to ask about other certifications they have to get a better sense of their expertise.
Experience and Expertise
When choosing a personal trainer, experience and expertise are vital. Choose someone who has been in the fitness industry for over a few years. While my CPT certification was necessary, what I learned and continue to learn through working with clients has made me a better trainer.
General fitness experience is valuable, but you'll want to ensure the trainer has significant experience working with clients with similar goals and at a similar life stage to yours. Additionally, a trainer who has personally gone through what you are experiencing can be incredibly beneficial. For example, a pre and postnatal fitness specialist who has also been pregnant and faced postpartum challenges will have the knowledge to help you reach your goals and the empathy and relatability to understand your journey. Learning about pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery, and motherhood is one thing—going through these stages firsthand is entirely different!
Personal Approach and Compatibility
If we go back to our dating metaphor, this is where you want to be sure you like being around this person. Personal training is an intimate experience. You should feel comfortable talking with your trainer and discussing obstacles and challenges you are experiencing so that they can give you the best guidance and the best workout.
Are you someone who likes to be pushed and wants tough love throughout your workouts? It's important to note that even in this scenario, you want a trainer who will keep you safe above all else. Still, in this case, you will want that trainer who will ask you to go heavier, push you, and inspire you to get through the uncomfortable reps. Or are you someone who needs to take things a bit slower and wants to ensure you do each exercise optimally? You'll want a trainer who is patient and detail-oriented.
Safety and Knowledge of Medical Conditions
The right personal trainer for new moms should be well-versed in pregnancy and postpartum-related conditions such as diastasis recti and pelvic floor health. They should know how to modify exercises to ensure safety and effectiveness, helping you achieve your fitness goals without risking injury. Speaking of which, check out my exercise modification cheat sheet for pregnancy if you are currently expecting!
For those struggling with muscle imbalances and minor aches and pains, one excellent certification to look out for is a Corrective Exercise Specialist, which I hold through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. While I am no doctor, this certification gave me a much more comprehensive overview of what to look for when performing an initial assessment of the client to determine which muscles are overactive and need to be stretched and lengthened and which muscles are underactive and require additional strength training.
The knowledge I gained through attaining my Corrective Exercise Specialist certification gives me valuable information to not only do basic exercises like bicep curls and squats with my clients but to come up with a comprehensive training plan that incorporates specific stretches and mobility exercises for overactive muscles and stability and strength exercises for underactive muscle groups so that you notice a difference and more ease in your everyday movement.
Holistic Approach
An excellent personal trainer considers overall wellness, including nutrition and mental health, while respecting their scope of practice. I have a health coaching certification through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. I can offer my clients additional sessions focused on holistic health and helping them form healthy habits to amplify their success. Sleep, stress management, and nutrition are crucial in postpartum recovery, birth prep, weight loss, and strength-building. Whatever your health and fitness goals are, these pillars of health are essential, and you should not overlook them.
While I have this certification, I also know when to refer out, which is equally important. For example, while I can have great success helping someone who is just starting her health and wellness journey and looking to lose some weight by eating more fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods and paying attention to their intuition with mindful eating, I would probably not be the right choice for someone who already has a solid foundation with food but is experiencing gut issues and wants precise guidance. In this senerio, an experienced nutritionist or gastroenterologist would be better suited to help this client.
Initial Consultations
When considering what to look for in a personal trainer, take advantage of initial consultations to assess if the trainer fits you. A quick 20-30-minute consultation is a valuable opportunity to see if your personalities and approaches are compatible. During this consultation, observe their approach and ask questions to ensure they meet your needs. Please pay attention to how they communicate, their attention to detail, and whether they seem genuinely interested in your specific goals and challenges. Look for red flags such as a lack of professionalism, a one-size-fits-all approach, or an inability to answer your questions thoroughly.
Additionally, this is a time to discuss your fitness goals, medical conditions, and overall lifestyle. This initial interaction can give you a sense of whether the trainer understands your unique needs and can provide the support you require. Trust your instincts when deciding—if something feels off, it's worth considering other options.
Conclusion
Choosing the right personal trainer is crucial for achieving your fitness goals, especially during the transformative stages of motherhood. By understanding what to look for in a personal trainer and being selective, you can find a trainer who will help you break a sweat and guide you toward lasting health and wellness.
I'd love to connect with you if you've read this and feel we might be a good fit. You can fill out my application form HERE, and I'll get back to you to discuss my availability. If applicable, we'll set up an initial consultation to ensure we're on the same page and to start planning your personalized fitness journey. Let's work together to achieve your health and wellness goals, making motherhood a time of strength and vitality.
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