What to look for in a personal trainer?

[Rockpaperthinner 6]

So I've decided that I'm ready to start amping up my work outs. I'm almost 8 weeks post op, and I'm feeling like I'm full of tons of energy. Although I've worked out before and have played sports most of my life I'm really thinking that having a personal trainer will kick my ass into gear. I know that if I work out just on my own I won't push myself as hard as I should.

I've never had a personal trainer before, and I've had a few suggestions from different friends and met with two different trainers. There is one that I'm leaning towards, she seems peppy but I worry she might not be firm enough with me. The second has the personality of a wet mop, but from client testimonials seems to get great results.

For those of you who have a personal trainer now, or have in the past what should I be looking for? Also I keep getting quotes for between $50-70/hr as the going rate for a trainer, I live in Vancouver, BC, does this seem like the going rate?

Any insight would be great!

[Tiny One 223]

I've been paying $50 per month for bi-weekly sessions with my trainer for the last 7 months. He's pretty good & push me well pass my limit. Initially I didn't think it would do much justice, but it did. He gives me helpful tips to do on my own.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I need a trainer who is an expert and authority in their technique and has a coaching style that is both motivational and fun. I need to be challenged in a progressive way so my goals will be met. I want to be able to click with my trainer and they need to listen to what I have to say if I am going to be working with them long term. So far I think my trainer has been stellar and has met this criteria since I have been working with her for the last 7 months. I look forward to 2 workouts a week to keep breaking one PR after another and a chance to put my all into a training session. I like to be challenged and literally each workout is unique and challenging. Hope this helps.

[maharet111 544]

I went through about 5 interviews and a couple of workout sessions before I hired my trainer. For me it was also important for me to click with this person, both on a exercise level and a personal level. What I was looking for also was someone who would't just put me through the motions, say good job and send me on my way. I wanted someone who would challenge me, test me on movements, and who can also adapt workouts for my scalability.

Take the time to find a good one. Find one who watches how you move and how you can improve. Make sure that you feel comfortable talking to them about almost everything. I have regular discussions about how to reduce my bat wings with my trainer. He also "teaches" me and regularly quizzes me on things like.."Why are your hands outside your knees on deadlifts" etc..

You won't regret finding the right trainer and I WISH I paid 50 to 70 bucks an hour. I pay 40 bucks for a half hour and he is worth every damn penny. I tell him regularly that he is my quit smoking money lol since I pay him out of the funds I have been saving since quitting smoking.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Others are mentioning cost of their trainer, so here is mine. My trainer costs 750 for 18 training session (most affordable way to do it). We train together 2 days a week, so that works out to be 42 dollars an hour or about 333 dollars a month. Worth every penny. In the fall time, I will be purchasing open gym at 150 a month and will have had almost a year of cross fit personal training. I feel I will be ready to go head to head with the athletes that are in the gym (can't wait!!!) There is 20-30% discount from that monthly open gym price if I purchase 3 or 6 months in advance, respectively.