Over the past five years, there has been a significant number of new personal trainers in the fitness industry. If you do a quick Google search, you’ll find that there are a reported “41,000-94,000 health clubs and facilities in the United States alone” (Google). The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports “a 12% increase for 10 years starting 2024, with a reported 72,400 openings each year (Bureau of Labor Statistics).” WOW, those are some impressive numbers. With all those stats, how do you find the right trainer, the one who will get you to the goals that you have painstakingly come to terms with? That is the question for many, and let’s be clear, there is not one perfect personal trainer, much like there is not one ideal or perfect person. One thing that we must admit is that for the person searching for a trainer, there have to be certain attributes that draw them to the person; think of the acronym C.O.O.L.
C – Competence in a personal trainer should be key in choosing a professional. There are roughly twenty different certification bodies for fitness, and they proclaim with incredible hubris that they are the best and most comprehensive choice for you to become the best and richest fitness professional; some even guarantee a job on completion. The question becomes, after your trainer becomes certified, are they ready to apply the knowledge that they have acquired correctly? The answer is NO. The best way to grow as a personal trainer is through mentorship, internship, and continuing education; this is where competency as a trainer is cultivated, grown, and perfected. Routinely participating in workshops and lectures in programming, nutrition, and behavior change helps solidify that you, the consumer, are on the path.
O – Being observant as a personal trainer is a must. It is not uncommon to see good trainers watching clients from all angles, checking form, seeing if a client is ok and focused during training. Does the client have a drastic change in mood and or performance? This could be a sign of underlying issues. As a trainer, taking note of mechanical changes that mask underlying injury, as well as deviations in posture, alignment, and physiological changes, such as continually getting sick with fatigue and flu-like symptoms. The best trainers and coaches think of their clients as more than a 60-minute session. Is the client male or female? Are there different cultural or ethic considerations that need to be considered while training? Fasting, gender preferences, time of day, dress, and tactile cueing must all be considered. All the aforementioned topics and many other factors play into the ability of the trainer and client to reach the intended goal; trainers must be aware of them all.
O – Outstanding customer service! This goes without saying. When providing a service to those who pay money, certain rules apply, or your chances of referrals and longevity in the business are threatened. Communication with the client, addressing expectations, being on time for sessions, devoting your attention to clients, and not letting external stimuli pull you away from them is paramount. Additionally, a trainer’s record keeping and follow-up says that they care, whether that’s a weekly recap email, an eight-week and twelve-week check-in, goes a long way. As a business person, client satisfaction is also key. Taking the time to ensure workouts are tracked, that the trainer is providing the proper corrections, and celebrating milestones keeps clients happy.
L – Likable. Do you like your trainer as a person? Do you see your trainer as someone who aligns themselves with what you believe exercise-wise? If they are not, are they respectful enough to respect the differences and still motivate you to achieve a goal? There will be times when you are training that you will not want to work out, but the trainer gives you the pep talk to come in for your workout. There will be times when, in session, the client will not believe that they can achieve a goal; however, the trainer can see the potential and coach the client to goals they never thought possible. A client must ask themselves: Do I trust this person enough to confide in them my deepest fears around exercise and achieving my goals?
The vocation of being a fitness professional is one of the most rewarding journeys an individual can take part in. Knowing the place of a fitness professional on the health care continuum, building a community by listening, being compassionate, open, and inclusive, solidifies their job of making a significant impact in the lives of clients and members the world over.
In good health.
Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Fitness Trainers and Instructors.” Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 28 August 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm. Accessed 10 September 2025.
Google. “How many health clubs are in the United States?” Google.com, Google, 10 September 2025. Accessed 10 September 2025.
