If you’re serious about making major strides toward your running goals, you may consider hiring a personal trainer. A personal trainer knows how to bolster your running workouts with strength routines that help build speed and ward off injuries.
Ready to hire? Let’s go over what to look for in a personal trainer first.
The Benefits of a Personal Trainer
There are many perks to having a personal trainer in your corner as a runner.
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“Strength training is one of the best ways to improve your running form and efficiency and become a faster runner,” says Marnie Kunz, an RRCA- and USATF-certified running coach and NASM-certified personal trainer in New York City. A personal trainer can help you learn proper exercise techniques and create a strength routine tailored to your running goals.
Runners are notorious for dropping their strength workouts in favor of more running. A personal trainer can remind you of the payoffs of spending more time in the gym, helping you refocus on the end goal (e.g., fewer injuries, more mileage, faster times).
4 Tips for Finding a Personal Trainer
With so many personal trainers fighting for space in your social media feeds, finding the right one can seem impossible. Use these tips to make your search easier:
1. Check credentials
The personal training industry isn’t regulated. “So, in truth, anyone can call themselves a personal trainer, even those without training or experience,” says Amie Dworecki, an RRCA- and USATF-certified running coach.
A personal training certification can show that someone has the knowledge to train others. However, because not all certifications are created equal, it’s key to look for one that’s been accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA is a nonprofit agency that sets the standards for certification programs, including those in the fitness industry.
A few organizations that offer NCCA-accredited certifications include the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)—you may see someone listed as a certified strength and conditioning coach or CSCS, which is through NSCA—and the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). The NCCA also offers a searchable directory of accredited programs on its website.
You can also find a certified personal trainer through the U.S. Registry of Exercise Professionals’ database.
2. Look for someone who works with runners
A personal trainer who works primarily with runners and/or is a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), USA Track and Field (USATF), or United Endurance Sports Coach Academy (UESCA) can offer knowledge and experience that a general personal trainer can’t.
“A personal trainer who knows running can work with your running routine to ensure you incorporate and balance your strength workouts in a way that won’t interfere with the quality of your running and recovery days,” Dworecki says.
They can also program movements that target your weaknesses, helping you avoid strength imbalances and injuries when running. “If your running target requires building speed or tackling elevation, the trainer can also give you exercises to help you reach these goals,” Dworecki says.
3. Gauge their personality
The way a personal trainer presents themselves on social media may not be a true reflection of their personality. So, even if you love their videos, be sure to chat before hiring them.
“When you talk to the trainer, get a feel for their personality and whether it matches yours,” Dworecki says.
Are they no-nonsense like a drill sargeant? Positive and enthusiastic? Eager to educate? Notice whether their approach resonates with you. “You’ll work closely with this person to reach your goals, so meshing with their vibe can be crucial,” Dworecki notes.
4. Consider your wallet
The cost of a personal trainer can vary depending on the location, whether you’re meeting in-person or online, and the trainer’s education and experience. It’s up to you to decide how much you’re willing and able to spend.
You may be tempted to go for the cheapest trainer if you’re on a tight budget. However, Dworecki cautions against this strategy: “Inexpensive trainers may need lots of clients to get by, which could mean less personalized attention,” she says. It may also mean that the trainer doesn’t have funds to invest in continuing education to ensure you get the best training available, she adds.
A better way to save money may be to pay for multiple sessions upfront (if the trainer offers a discount), take advantage of any package or seasonal deals, do small group or virtual sessions, or use a monthly subscription, Dworecki says.
You can also consider apps, like Future or FlexIt, if you want to save some money.
3 Signs It’s Time to Switch Personal Trainers
Just because you’ve met with a personal trainer doesn’t mean you’re committed to them for life. You may find that the relationship doesn’t feel right after one or two sessions.
“There are different styles of trainers and different personalities, and it’s okay to try different trainers before committing to one,” Kunz says. “Most trainers have an intro session you can book before you decide if you want to get a package deal,” she adds.
Here are a few clues it may be time to end things:
➥They’re unreliable
“The right personal trainer will show up on time and keep their focus on you during the session, instead of their phone or friends at the gym,” Dworecki says. But if they’re late to appointments and don’t bother to pay attention to what you’re doing, it’s time to find another trainer.
➥Your workouts don’t feel good
There will probably be plenty of moments when you’ll feel less than “good,” but more so in a sense that you’re working hard and doing challenging moves. Your sessions shouldn’t make you feel sick or so sore that you don’t want to continue working out. They also shouldn’t make your joints hurt or cause any shooting pain.
Let your trainer know if you experience any of these symptoms, so they can modify your workouts. If the symptoms keep appearing, hire someone else.
➥They don’t ask for feedback
A great trainer will check your progress regularly and ask how you’re doing during the sessions. This feedback helps them tweak your program to ensure you move toward your goals.
If your trainer doesn’t ask questions or doesn’t seem interested in hearing about how things are going, that’s a major red flag.
Lauren Bedosky is a freelance health and fitness writer who specializes in covering running and strength training topics. She writes for a variety of national publications, including Runner’s World, Prevention, Experience Life and Women’s Running.
