You should choose your personal trainer as carefully as you would choose a friend, a car or a house. You’re making an investment in yourself and you want to ensure that you’re ultimately happy with your choice of a personal trainer. Sometimes it just comes down to a comfort level with the trainer, but the following items are also important to consider as you choose your personal fitness trainer:

• Certification: Your personal trainer should have a certification from a personal training organization. Some of the major ones include: American Council on Exercise (ACE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA), IDEA Fitness and Health, International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF). In addition, some personal trainers will also have an educational background in personal training, such as a college degree in exercise science.
• CPR Certification: Most health clubs require personal trainers to be CPR certified, but make sure your potential personal trainer has this certification as well.
• Background: What kind of experience does your personal fitness trainer have? Where have they worked? What success stories can they share? Make sure the individual’s particular background suits your particular fitness goals.
• Special Issues: If you have a serious illness or are pregnant, for example, you should find a personal trainer who has a wealth of experience with that particular issue. Likewise, if you are training for an Ironman Triathlon or a 20-mile cross country ski race, you should also look for someone with that special experience and knowledge.
• Personality: Finally, make sure you find a personal trainer who listens to you, offers feedback and makes you feel good about the time and work you’re putting in. Your personal fitness trainer doesn’t have to be your best friend, but you should like and respect the person you’re working with.

If you’re having trouble selecting a personal trainer, ask friends or coworkers for recommendations or watch some of the trainers at your local gym in action to get a better feel for how they work with clients. Likewise, you can always do a trial session to make sure you’ve made the best decision.