"You become the judge in assessing a candidate's experience, philosophy, reputation, and technical expertise."

A common question asked by many people is: "I'm looking for a personal fitness trainer, but how do I know which one is right for me?" Once you make the commitment to follow through with a fitness program, one of the most important decisions you will make is obtaining the services of a personal fitness trainer. When you start spending money on getting in shape, the most important investment you can make is finding a trainer that best meets your needs. It does not matter if you are a member of the best gym in town, or how much money you spend on the best equipment to build your in-home gym; if you do not know how to exercise correctly, you will not achieve the results you seek or meet your own expectations. There are several things you should look for when choosing a trainer who is best for you.

When you start spending money on getting in shape, the most important investment you can make is finding a trainer who best meets your needs.

First, you need to find a certified fitness trainer who is in good physical condition. If a trainer is going to talk the talk, then he or she better be able to walk the walk. Education and on-the-job training is one of the best combinations you can find. It would be difficult for a fitness trainer to inspire you to meet your fitness goals if it looks like he or she has never had a fitness goal in his or her life.

Second, you need to find a trainer who has the knowledge of correct technique. A good trainer should constantly be stressing this to their client. It does not matter how much effort you put into your exercise program; if your technique is wrong, you will never achieve your full potential. Poor technique will almost always lead to an unnecessary injury. An injury can pull down your morale and it will definitely slow down your progress.

Third, you should find a trainer who stresses safety at all times! Someone who is certified in First Aid and CPR will be very important to you. If you were to have a problem, you would definitely want someone qualified to handle the situation.

Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 2002 Amanda Birdsell trains her shoulders by doing the Dumbbell Shoulder Press. The key to obtaining the best results is performing this exercise with perfect technique.

Fourth, it is very important that you chose a trainer who has good knowledge of the type of training you would need. For example, if you are preparing to compete in a swimsuit competition or model swimsuits, then you will not want to use a trainer whose specialty is training body builders. You will want to find someone who trains women for swimsuit competition or modeling. Find out what their success rate is. How many winners have they trained? How long have they been in business?

Finally, find someone who has a good reputation along with getting great results. Remember that one person can not always satisfy everyone, but the majority of their clients should be satisfied with the trainer and the results that they achieved.

There are several other qualities to look for when selecting the best personal fitness trainer for you. The list should also include someone who keeps you motivated -- someone who can give you praise and at the same time show you opportunities to improve without insulting or belittling you. Find a trainer who will put together a combination of the best exercises, nutrition, and cardiovascular training for your unique goals.

Ultimately, a trainer should be able to provide you with a program that will best help you as an individual. This is critical. Do not hesitate to ask your candidates questions and listen closely to how they respond. A good trainer will encourage you to ask questions and should feel comfortable answering them. Picking the right trainer for you will mean the difference between success and disappointment. So take the time to do it right, then work hard, exercise smart, and be careful!

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Mike Mauney, owner of Body Design By Mike fitness center in North Carolina, is a Personal Fitness Trainer certified by the National Federation of Professional Trainers. Mike specializes in Personal Fitness Training for women of all ages. For twelve years he has been training dancers, models, cheerleaders, pageant and swimsuit contestants of all ages and competition levels (local, state, national, and international). His daughter Michelle Mauney was Miss North Carolina USA 1995. Some of Mike�s training credits includes the following: Carrie Stroup, Miss World representative 2001, Chelsea Cooley, National Titleholder, Janice Ward, Mrs. United States 1999, Vanessa Minnillo, swimsuit winner and Miss Teen USA 1998, and Michelle Warren, 1st runner-up Miss America Pageant 1998.

Click below to visit Mike's own website located at...

http://www.bodydesignbymike.com

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