I see a lot of posts on social media in these groups where members will ask other members for advice on how to find the best personal trainer for them - like, how do they know which trainer is going to get them to their goals the quickest.
I'll point out that very few ask about whether those goals can be attained with that trainer in the safest manner because you know, we're all in a hurry to undo what we've done to ourselves over the last two decades.
Don't look at me like that - you know your point of reference is still the "you" in college or even in high school! Just stop.
The advice that I see a lot, from member to member, is that you need to look for a trainer that looks the way you want to look. If the trainer is lean, muscularly defined and relatively thin and you want to be lean, muscularly defined and relatively thin then chances are that trainer is going to be a good fit from the knowledge stand point to get you to the finish line.
If the trainer has a lot of upper body mass, then you will too.
If the trainer has some huge ass quads, then you will too.
Right?
Ehhhh sort of. What we neglect to see when we are seeing green and envying other people, whether it be in person or on TV or in advertisements or on social media, is that each of us is built differently and we carry our weight proportionately differently, more in some areas/ less in others.
If you are looking to match your personal trainer, it's probably best you look for one that has a similar body type (not look necessarily) as you and start your goals there. Because, let's be real, if you aren't set up physically the same way your trainer is, chances are the results you get will look different on your body type and well, you might not like it after all once you get there. Another thing to consider is that where your trainer is with their progress might have taken sacrifices you are not able to or willing to make.
But, do you actually need to match your personal trainer to get the results you are looking for? In my opinion, no. Not if you are just getting started or if you are looking for general fitness. On the flip side, if your goals are power lifting, running a marathon, strongman and bikini competitions, pro golf or taking up polo then maybe . . . maybe you should employ an expert - it really depends on where you are starting from and where you are going. Think of it like going to a community college first. Maybe get your gen-eds first by reeling in your nutrition and incorporating a more active routine into your lifestyle (see if it actually sticks) and then when you get those out of the way, work with a specialist to hone your current routine so that it gets you to your goals.
Work on getting yourself on a platform consisting of a solid knowledge base of nutrition and functional movements so you can improve your mobility, flexibility and body composition - your trainer will thank you and frankly, it will be a lot more economical and efficient for your progress. Just like community college and just like anything you build. You have to use the right tool for the right task. And you can't run if you can't walk first.
In general, if your goal is weight loss, my advice is to focus on what the trainer brings to the table in terms of personality and knowledge - there should be an overall good vibe and that person should motivate you. You need this if you plan on listening to this person for the next 12 weeks (or for whatever length of time) otherwise it's gonna go nowhere quick.