By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN

Are you ready to lose weight and get in shape? Hiring a qualified weight loss trainer is an excellent way to ensure a safe and effective workout. A personal weight loss trainer can offer you one-on-one coaching, education, and motivation to help you achieve your weight loss goals. A qualified professional will also tailor a weight loss program individually suited to your fitness level and weight loss goals.

But before you call the first name in the phone book, you should be sure to do a little research. There are probably a number of candidates to choose from and they may not all make a good fit for you. First, take a moment to figure out what your goals are. Do you simply want to lose a lot of weight? Do you want to learn new types of exercise programs? Do you want to tone your muscles? Next, start making calls to see what kinds and trainers and programs are available in your area.

If you have lived in your local area for a while, ask your coworkers and friends for a recommendation. If you don’t find any promising candidates, or if you are new to your area, check the yellow pages under Fitness Centers. Call around and ask to speak to the person who supervises the trainer staff. Here are a few questions you should keep in mind when hiring a weight loss trainer:

• Certification: Be sure to check out the qualifications and educational background of any prospective weight loss trainers. For example, weight loss trainers certified by the American Council on Exercise undergo a stringent certification process and must pass an intensive exam to qualify. The three main certifiers are The American Council on Exercise (ACE), The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
• Experience: How long has the candidate been doing weight loss training? Does the trainer have experience working with individuals in your age group, or with clients who are looking to lose about the same amount of weight as you are? For example, if you have a health condition or have never exercised, you should look for a weight loss trainer that has experience in developing programs specific to your needs.
• Compatibility: You should feel very comfortable with your trainer as this is a person you will be hiring to push you beyond your present comfort level. Do you get along well with the trainer? Are you able to communicate your needs to the candidate? Is he or she professional? Does the candidate seem genuinely interested in helping you?
• Schedule: Can the candidate accommodate your schedule? There may be time conflicts between the times you are willing and able to work out and the hours the weight loss trainer has available to work with you. How often do you want to meet with your personal weight loss trainer? How often does the candidate recommend meeting?
• Methods: What methods will your weight loss trainer incorporate into your program? Talk with the candidate about the use of weight loss supplements, such as Slimirex™. This product is highly recommended by weight loss trainers across the nation for its ability to help individuals lose weight quickly, effectively, and safely. Slimirex™ combines nine well-researched weight loss ingredients into one easy to take product, making it the supplement of choice among most weight loss trainers.
• Insurance: Does the weight loss trainer you are considering hiring carry professional liability insurance to protect you in the event you become injured?
• Price: Personal weight loss trainers charge anywhere from $35 and $100 per hour. Rates may vary depending on the trainer’s experience, length of session, and location. Does the candidate’s rate fit into your budget?
• References: Can the candidate provide you with a list of clients that you can call as references? This is important, because it’s the best way for you to find out accurately if this candidate will be a good match for you. Call the references and find out if the clients were pleased with their workouts. Were their individual needs and concerns addressed? Was the trainer on time and prepared?

Use this list as a guide to helping you select a weight loss trainer that will help you achieve your weight loss goals!

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. The products we promote are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives.

For all of your weight loss and obesity needs, natural remedies, tips, products, support forums and more please visit us at www.weightlossobesity.com or www.slimirex.com.