Exclusive Insights · Training How do I find a good personal trainer?
What to look for, which questions to ask and which warning signs you shouldn't ignore.
The short answer
A good personal trainer has knowledge of and experience with your specific goal, and keeps learning and up to date with new developments. They ask questions first, create a plan that really suits you and look beyond your training, at sleep, stress and recovery. And perhaps most importantly: you need to click. So always book an introduction or intake first.
Choosing a personal trainer can sometimes feel like a gamble. Everyone calls themselves a coach, every website promises results. Still, there are a few things that quickly show you the difference between a trainer who gives you a plan and a trainer who really helps you move forward.
Six things to look for
- Knowledge of and experience with your goal. Do you want to lose weight, get stronger, train with back pain or prepare for HYROX? This may well be the most important point. Ask about their experience and results with people like you.
- Keeps learning. Knowledge about training, recovery and health develops quickly. A good trainer keeps educating themselves and keeps up with new insights, instead of doing the same thing for years.
- A tailored plan. You don't get a standard plan, but one that fits your body, any injuries and your schedule.
- Asks questions first. A good trainer doesn't start with a workout, but with questions: about your goals, your health, any injuries and your lifestyle.
- Attention to more than training. Sleep, stress and nutrition largely determine your results. A good trainer takes that into account.
- Works with specialists. If you have pain or an injury, a good trainer coordinates with your GP, physiotherapist or other practitioner, instead of trying to solve everything themselves.
Questions you can ask
Use an introduction or intake to ask these questions. The answer often says more than the website.
- What does the intake look like?
- How do you decide what I'll do, and how often do you adjust it?
- Do you have experience with my goal or my injury?
- How do you keep up with new developments?
- What happens if something doesn't feel right during a session?
- How do we track whether I'm making progress?
- What does it cost, and are there any commitments?
Warning signs to watch for
- You're offered a membership straight away, without an intake.
- The trainer promises fast results, like ten kilos in four weeks.
- Hardly any questions are asked about your health or any injuries.
- Every session is as hard as possible, regardless of how you feel.
- During the session, the trainer is more focused on their phone than on you.
Coach's tip
Pay attention to how you feel after the first appointment. Do you feel heard, and do you understand what you're going to do and why? Then you're probably in the right place. A good trainer explains, listens and adapts.
Personal training in Den Helder
At Exclusive Gym you train by appointment in a private studio, with a coach whose full attention is on you. We always start with an extensive intake and baseline measurement. After that, we look beyond your training: at your sleep, breathing, stress, immune system, movement and nutrition. We call that fundamental coaching.
We work together with doctors, physiotherapists and other practitioners, and guide people with a wide range of goals: from getting stronger and training with pain to preparing for HYROX. Read more about personal training, view our pricing or read our clients' experiences on the results page.
Personal training
Looking for the right coach?
Book an intake at our private studio in Den Helder. You'll know straight away whether you click.
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