A Personal Trainer is hired for one fundamental purpose...  to help you to achieve your goals.

A trainer wont do the work for you and a good trainer wont let you compromise your own progress on your journey to excellence. Think of a trainer as a guide through uncharted territory. You'll have to do the walking yourself, but your trainer will take you from point A to point B along the shortest possible route. Notice I said shortest... not easiest.

Nowadays, it seems like every gym you walk into has several proposed "personal trainers" eager to sell you a set of sessions.  Well, I'm sorry to say that most of those so called experts cannot tell you the difference between a fast-twitch and a slow-twitch muscle fiber!  Although they may be able to show you how to use the equipment properly and may listen intently to your problems and opinions about the world outside the gym, they aren't often qualified nor experienced enough to get you to where you really want to be... effectively.

So how do you go about finding a trainer that's suited for you?

Not only is there a substantial financial commitment involved, but also there is a large amount of time and effort invested. In order to facilitate this, it's imperative that you systematize your approach to the selection process.

There are five fundamental criteria that you should take into account in order to make an educated decision.

At present, there's no licensure required to become a personal trainer. Consequently, anyone who has ever set foot in a gym has a green light to give advice on the subject.  This has led to an abundance of "unqualified" trainers.

Although not mandatory, the majority of competent trainers elect to become certified as fitness professionals, which requires passing a detailed written examination on exercise and fitness.  There are several organizations that certify personal trainers The three most prominent are the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

One must take into account that simply because a person is certified does not mean he or she is an expert in all things fitness. Certified implies that a trainer displays a basic knowledge of exercise, flexibility/stretching, and nutrition, but does not take into account many factors that ultimately determine a trainer's competence.

There are many trainers who possess book smarts and can pass a certification exam, but often are not able to communicate their knowledge to others in a clear, concise fashion.  I have seen this all too many times.  Certification is valuable as an initial screening tool but shouldn't be soley relied upon.

A personal trainer should serve as a fitness role model.  If you're inspired by the physique of your trainer, it can serve to motivate you. The ability to work with someone who has achieved an enviable physique through fitness can be a terrific source of inspiration and can keep you focused on your fitness goals.

While it is true that someone with a great body is not always a capable trainer, one should look very skeptically at a trainer who is overweight or unfit.  A trainer who is out of shape doesn't serve as a positive fitness role model.  One has to question either the knowledge and/or dedication of fitness professionals who don't practice what they preach.

Moreover, if the trainer cannot achieve a satisfactory level of conditioning, how can you expect that he or she will be able to help you achieve your goals?

A good trainer must possess more than just knowledge. That trainer must be able to relate and understand the needs of each individual trainee. People have a myriad of personalities and a trainer must be able to deliver positive reinforcement as well as constructive criticism. They must be able to sense when to be forceful and when to be compassionate, when to push for that extra rep and when to pull back.

While some people respond to a hard-driving, militaristic style of training, others need to be gently prodded and coaxed for maximum results. Spend some time talking to the trainer and get a feel for their ability to communicate with you.

Ask direct questions about the style that he or she employs and determine whether the style fits your personality. If you're not comfortable with the trainer's persona, there's a good probability that you will not be satisfied working with them on a professional level.

Any established trainer should be able to provide the names of several clients who can attest to their competence as a fitness professional. You should ask for the names of people who are about the same age and sex, and have similar fitness goals as yourself. This will ensure that you can accurately assess whether he or she is skilled in dealing with your particular needs.

During your initial consultation with a trainer, they'll most likely be on their best behavior.  You'll often get a better insight into their aptitude by asking their clients about such factors as temperament, knowledge, flexibility in scheduling, etc.  Additionally, when you contact references, don't hesitate to ask any questions that you feel are pertinent in respect to the trainer's abilities, training methods, and impact. 

Fees can vary greatly when it comes to personal training, ranging from as little as about $35 per session and going as high as $150 per session or more. Don't think that a low-priced trainer is a bargain or that a high-priced trainer has some magical formula for success.

There are many things that will dictate fee structure including competition, location, reputation, etc.   As a rule, be wary of trainers at either end of the fee spectrum.

Conclusion

Anyone can promise results.  Any trainer can count reps and create routines. The best trainers motivate, educate,  and communicate.