Personal trainers help people accomplish their fitness goals (e.g., weight loss, improved endurance) by providing them with one or more individualized sessions. During these sessions, personal trainers instruct and motivate individuals in exercise activities designed to improve their flexibility, strength, endurance and overall health. Personal trainers most often work at health clubs or gyms, but they may also work in other settings, such as private homes.

Personal trainers often have knowledge and experience in working with special populations (e.g., pregnant women, diabetes patients, seniors) which require modification of certain exercises. They may also work with individuals on the mental aspects of physical performance, including motivation, attitude, visualization, self-talk and goal-setting.

During the first meeting, a personal trainer will complete a fitness intake interview, perform fitness testing to measure an individual’s current physical capabilities, and develop a personalized exercise plan and a progress tracking system. The trainer will then help the individual to establish exercise and fitness goals.

In some cases, personal trainers will require clearance from a person’s physician for participation in physical activity.

There are many organizations that offer certification of personal trainers and other fitness workers. Certifying organizations that are considered to be reputable are those accredited  by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

To become certified, most agencies require the personal trainer to have at least a high school diploma, have a current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and pass a certification examination. In general, certification is for a two-year period, after which a personal trainer must attend continuing education classes to be recertified. Newly certified personal trainers may work with an experienced trainer before they work alone with a client.

To find a personal trainer, people can check with their local health club, in the yellow pages or on-line through personal trainer certification organizations. They may also obtain a referral from a friend, family member or doctor. People may want to interview several personal trainers and ask questions about their background and experience as well as schedule and fees before making a final decision about who to train with.

Personal trainers may charge by the session or may have a service contract, and their fees may vary widely, depending on the trainer’s specialty and reputation.

Increasingly, people are using the services of virtual trainers, on-line personal trainers who provide individualized services via the Internet. These are usually accessed by payment of a subscription fee and include an opportunity for personal feedback from the virtual trainer. However, there are risks associated with such “virtual” training.