How to Pick the Right Personal Trainer

How to Pick the Right Personal Trainer

If you’ve ever wondered how to pick the right personal trainer, you’ve probably noticed the internet is full of generic advice: “Look for certifications,” “Ask about their experience,” “Make sure they motivate you.”

Sure. Those things matter, but they’re not the whole story.

As someone who has worked in almost every area of the fitness world—corporate wellness, youth athletics, remote coaching, strength training, fat loss, and mindset coaching—I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the “how is this person employed?” sides of the industry.

And here’s the truth:

The best personal trainer for you is the one who actually cares about you as a human being, not just a potential sale.

So let’s break down the real questions you should ask yourself when choosing a trainer, whether you're looking for in-person coaching in Sunbury or New Albany, Ohio, or online coaching from anywhere in the U.S.

1. Are they pushing you to buy packages… or are they asking about your life?

This is the biggest red flag in the fitness industry.

A great trainer wants to know about:

  • Your goals
  • Your past injuries
  • Your schedule
  • Your stress levels
  • Your lifestyle
  • Your history with fitness

If the first thing they ask is, “Are you financially ready to invest in this package today?” RUN.

A trainer who’s focused on you will ask questions, listen, and make sure the plan fits your life.
A trainer who's focused on dollars will pressure you to sign immediately.

Choose the trainer who cares more about your story than your sale.

2. Are they trying to close a sale or teach you effective movement patterns?

A strong trainer’s primary goal is education, not entertainment.

You should leave sessions understanding:

  • How to hinge
  • How to squat
  • How to brace your core
  • How to row without using your neck
  • How to set up a machine correctly
  • How to train safely on your own

If someone gives you a sweaty workout but never explains why you’re doing something… that’s not training. That’s babysitting with kettlebells.

A trainer should teach you how to move well, not just how to burn calories.

3. Do they give you “homework”? (This is secretly a huge green flag.)

Good trainers know that the magic of progress comes from consistency.

That means you should be getting:

  • Short mobility drills
  • Simple strength work you can do between sessions
  • Cues to remember
  • Small habits to practice
  • Follow-up questions to reinforce learning

If your trainer never checks whether you understand where you should feel an exercise, that might not be the trainer for you.

Homework = they care about your long-term progress, not just the hour you’re in the gym.

4. Are they helping you with lifestyle habits… not just workouts?

You are not a robot.

Your ability to get stronger or lose fat depends on your:

  • Sleep
  • Nutrition
  • Stress
  • Daily movement
  • Recovery

A great personal trainer doesn’t need to be a dietitian or therapist, but they should be checking in on these pieces and helping you build better habits.

If they only focus on the workout, but ignore the rest of your life, you’re not getting full support.

A well-rounded trainer looks at the whole human, not just the workout plan.

5. Can you see yourself getting along with this person? Even on your worst days?

There will be days you walk into the gym tired, anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed.

On those days, you don’t need a drill sergeant.
You need someone who:

  • Makes you feel safe
  • Knows how to adjust on the fly
  • Doesn’t shame you
  • Supports you without judgment
  • Understands humans have limits

If you can’t imagine working with them when you’re not at 100%, it’s not the right fit.

Your trainer is part coach, part educator, and part teammate. Personality matters.

6. Are they flaunting credentials… or demonstrating genuine care?

Hot take:
Some of the best trainers I’ve ever worked with never studied Exercise Science.

They learned by:

  • Coaching real people
  • Studying movement deeply
  • Staying curious
  • Asking better questions
  • Taking pride in doing the job well

Certifications are great. Education is great. But you can feel genuine passion within 10 minutes of talking to someone.

And passion is something no certification can teach. Look for heart, not just letters after their name.

7. Are they talking more than they’re listening?

Listening is a trainer’s most underrated skill.

If someone:

  • Interrupts you
  • Overexplains
  • Makes everything about themselves
  • Doesn’t ask clarifying questions
  • Assumes they know your goals better than you

…they’re not coaching. They’re monologuing.

You should feel heard, understood and like the plan is built with you, not delivered at you.

A great trainer listens twice as much as they talk.

So… How Do You Actually Choose the Right Personal Trainer?

Here’s a simple checklist:

✔ Do they ask thoughtful questions?

✔ Do they help you learn, not just sweat?

✔ Do they care about your goals, not just the sale?

✔ Do they support your lifestyle, not just your workout?

✔ Do you vibe with them as a person?

✔ Do they show passion, not ego?

✔ Do they listen? Really listen?

If yes, that’s your person

Looking for a Personal Trainer in Sunbury, OH or Online?

I train clients:

Whether you want to build strength, lose fat, improve mobility, or stop overthinking your workouts, I build programs that actually fit real life.

If you want help choosing the right coach, even if it’s not me, send me a message. I’ll point you in the right direction.