SELECTING A PERSONAL TRAINER

Ric 'The Equalizer' Drasin

Selecting a personal trainer is kind of like finding the right mate, the right car or the right hairstylist. Your trainer has to be tuned into you. Every person has different needs and different problem areas to work on. In my estimation, most trainers should go back and learn how to train themselves. I've seen them pop out of the woodwork in every gym that I've trained in. I train at Gold's Gym in North Hollywood now and almost every day I see a new trainer. Most of them are in their early 20's. How much experience can they have at that age? It takes more than 6 months of workouts and a little bump on the bicep to be considered an expert at training. I've been training people since the early 60's. We were called gym instructors back then. They gave us a card with 20 exercises and we had to give the member 2 sets of each exercise. Everyone got the same routine. You don't go to the doctor and expect to get the same medicine that he gave to everyone else, do you?

Well the same routine won't work for everyone either. You have to find the right workout and diet for your body. I took it upon myself to start giving people routines that I thought would work for them and having them write down everything they were eating for a week. When I switched their diets and gave them a tailored program, they started getting results. And it increased my business when word got out that people were getting results. I moved to Venice Beach, California in the 70's and learned a lot training with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joe Weider. Not everyone wants to look like Arnold, but most people want to be hard and lean.

Here are a few things to look for when choosing a trainer: Look for someone that looks like he/she trains and knows what they are doing. Ask how long they have been training. Find out what they know about nutrition and diets. I know people who have trainers that don't even discuss diet. See if they socialize or stay with their client and work them hard. I don't believe that a trainer has to be a slave and carry your weights to you and wipe your brow.

A trainer is a coach who helps you through those forced reps, recognizes when you need to increase your weight, and makes sure that you are eating right. Your trainer is a partner, giving you goals and pushing you on. He/She is not there to baby you or do the work for you. Bottom line: To have a great body, find a trainer that can design your program to a three-day, four-day or even six-day routine. Splitting body parts works well, such as chest/back one day, shoulders/arms the next, and legs the next. There are many variations which I will write about in the future. You have to do the work, feel the movement and concentrate on the body part you are working and your trainer is there to keep you on track.

If you find a trainer that fits the bill, hire him/her for a week and see if you like them. Try to observe them with other people to see if they are on track and, most of all, see if their clients are making progress. After you find a trainer, the rest is up to you. If you have questions about finding the right personal trainer, just e-mail me

Ric Drasin 'The Equalizer'