As more personal trainers flood the market to meet this demand, choosing the right one has never been more difficult. The best place to start is with friends and colleagues. If you're under medical orders to get in shape or working to rehab from an injury, find out who your doctor recommends. There are more than 200 certifying organizations that will allow a personal trainer to tack on some impressive-looking initials to their names.
More reputable organizations require heavy classroom work followed by challenging exams.
Sometimes a trainer's area of expertise is revealed in his or her certifications. Join a health club, and you'll have your choice of any number of staff personal trainers. If the club's reputable, its staff probably has done at least some preliminary screening, such as checking credentials. Avoid working with a personal trainer not covered by liability insurance, either through a health club or his own policy. This will protect you should the trainer accidentally drop a 40-pound weight on your foot, or worse.