When to fire and hire a new PT: Part 2!

If you've already understood the value in hiring a personal trainer then you firstly need to be praised. One-on-one sessions with a personal trainer are a real fitness trend that continues to grow each year. Personalizing workouts means that you can really motivate yourself to get fit faster and more effectively. Generic exercise classes might be a fun way to pump up your cardio but if you're aiming for specific results a personal trainer is your very own fitness guru. However, that doesn't mean to say you've picked the right personal trainer for you.

In Part 1 of 'When to fire a PT and hire again!', we suggested a few warning signs that you might be best switching your personal trainer. These included PTs who were unreliable, or with whom you had the wrong chemistry. Giving you the hard sell on products and services was a real no-no too, as was having no real direction or fitness strategy. A harsh attitude, rather than a motivating one, can also be counter-productive.

With any fitness boom there's always going to be would-be trainers who jump on the bandwagon without the adequate experience, qualifications and skills to really deliver. If you're not happy with your personal training sessions, or are considering hiring a PT here are five more negative signs to look out for or be aware of before you start:

1. No pain no gain? - You will definitely have heard this phrase bandied about over the years. It's true that to really make a difference to your fitness levels and to get your body in shape that you need to make an effort. You need to put the work in but does this mean pain? Absolutely not! A responsible personal trainer will ensure you're challenged but not pushed so far out of your comfort zone that you're suffering. Pain is your body's way of telling you to stop what you are doing. Instead of being stopped in your tracks with an injury, fire!

2. Lazy is as lazy does - There are different styles of personal training but one approach that rarely works is the overly-laid back, barely engaging one. If you're not being set goals to reach, or being pushed a little then question whether a personal trainer is taking a lazy approach. If an instructor lacks energy or doesn't seem to ever really get stuck-in and demonstrate how exercises should be done properly, then they're not really doing their job so take the initiative to fire!

3. Feedback fail - You should be getting an idea of how you are progressing and why exercises are being introduced, or a workout is changing. If you're not getting any real communication on how you're doing then it can be difficult to keep on going. There's a danger that you don't feel you're on a journey and that you have no idea where or what the destination is. Communicate how you feel by saying "fire!"

4. It's not about you - Your personal trainer is supposed to give you undivided attention. This means not going off to speak to other clients or colleagues, and not fielding calls and text messages throughout your session. Personalized workouts are an essential element too. If you feel that you're being offered a general exercise plan that has little bearing on where you're at, by a distracted PT, then fire!

5. Isn't a fitness success! - Would you get your hair done by somebody that had split ends and a bad haircut? Would you take diet advice off of somebody who was really overweight? Probably not! Don't blindly follow advice from a personal trainer if what you see if someone who looks unfit or not in good shape. How a personal trainer looks, as well as how fit they are, is an advertisement for how good their knowledge and understanding of health and fitness is. If they are sending out a less than appealing message then send back one message: Fire!

By putting your fitness needs first you are going to be able to take control of the input of others, including personal trainers. Make sure you choose wisely and hire a PT who ticks all the right boxes!