So, you decided to shell out the bucks for a personal trainer?
This is the fourth and final part in our series of signs your 
personal trainer might be a dumbbell, with tips #5, #6 & #7. The first 3 parts can be found here and here and here.
You don’t jive with their vibe
Are they the drill sergeant and it makes you want to cry because they are yelling insults your way?
Are they so chipper all the time that its depressing or a total turn-off?
Do they seem knowledgeable, but they are as warm as a cold fish?
Do they seem friendly and approachable…a little too approachable?
The drill sergeant thing doesn’t work for most folks except maybe on TV or in the Army. You want someone to support you, push you and keep you motivated, not put you down or insult you.
Find someone whose energy level and personality is to your liking. This is someone you’re going to share your personal fears with about weight loss and your struggles with your saddlebags and the jello in your triceps. You’re going to spend a lot of time putting your trust in this professional, so you need to feel comfortable with them.
Speaking of comfort level. If at any time a trainer touches you in any way that makes you uncomfortable, you need to tell them so. If their sense of personal space is consistently encroaching upon yours or they are inappropriate, suggestive, give you the willies for some unexplained reason etc…trust your gut and go find another trainer!
They don’t look the part
Sometimes that trainer who appears about 10 lbs overweight may have successfully battled their own eating disorder that previously had them weighing in at 100+ lbs over what you see them at, so although they don’t look like a Chippendale’s dancer, they might be just the inspiration you need.
However, it can and should be hard to put your trust in someone who has never remotely been where you are trying to go in your fitness journey. ’Nuf said.
They are Cheap
If your trainer costs about the same as your babysitter or a car wash, there’s a good chance they’re not qualified.
Personal trainer certifications cost $400-$800 or more and have yearly continuing education costs to maintain. Some trainers also have Bachelors and Masters Degrees (cha ching $$). Liability insurance costs money. Equipment and facilities cost money. Advertising, printing, etc have their costs. The government wants a share in the form of taxes.
This is just a ball park range, but in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, an hour with a personal trainer can run you $50-200.
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