How to choose a personal Trainer in Los Angeles

The process by which the general public chooses a personal trainer is wrong. As with any service you pay for, you must choose someone with the right credentials and the right experience to achieve your goal. Because many people don’t know what questions to ask (or are too afraid to ask), they end up not seeing results and are skeptical about working with personal trainers. The only way to find a good Los Angeles personal trainer for loyal clients is to educate non-fitness people about what gives us the right to do what we do, which is what I will try to do in this article.

In-Gym Personal Training Companies: Beware of training companies that stalk you around the gym or “asks” you to meet when you sign up. Many of these companies have become “fast food” for personal training. The exercise “menu” never changes, the service leaves a lot to be desired, and you’re just a number in a chain of customers. Ask these questions:

1) Will you always have the same trainer (if you choose)? If the answer is not “yes, of course” – go ahead. If you have 10 different coaches over the next six months, how are you supposed to make progress?

2) Do I need to sign a contract? If you’re not sure if you’ll like a trainer or system, ask if you can buy a few trial sessions before you commit. Never sign a contract without fully understanding what you are buying.

3) Ask to speak with the trainer you will be working with before buying sessions (see below for answers to questions). If you are not allowed to do so, continue.

4) Finally, if you feel the urge to buy training, like a car salesman trying to convince you to buy a car, move on. A good coach will never pressure you because we understand that you will only see results when you are ready to commit.

Good coaching companies are usually led by an experienced personal trainer who is very selective about the trainers they work for. This person will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and will likely evaluate your research to make the best decision for you. You will usually find that these companies are set up as independent studios.

If you have found a trainer you would like to work with, here is what you need:

1) Most importantly, do you like this person? It sounds silly, but you will spend a lot of time with this person and perhaps reveal something about yourself that you would not share with other people. You want to make sure you can build a relationship with a coach that is based on trust.

2) Is this person ready to work with you? Does the coach seem distracted or stumbling? Does the coach ask you a lot of questions, listens and understands you… or is he just talking to you? You won’t achieve your goal by hiring a coach who doesn’t listen to you.

3) What are the powers of the coach? There are nationally recognized personal training certifications… and then there are certifications you can get in a cracker’s box. Some of the best certifications are: ACSM, NSCA, ACE, NETA. There are other nationally accredited degrees, but these are, in my personal opinion, the best known. I have also seen great coaches come out of WITS.

4) How long did they study? Would you hire a mechanic who only started working on cars two months ago? I hope not, but we all have to start somewhere. If a coach has been in the field for less than two years and works for a good coaching company under an experienced coach, you are in good hands.

5) Do they have experience with clients like yours and do they have feedback and/or referrals? If you have certain health concerns or are preparing for a certain event, you can find someone who has experience in this area, but most coaches have multiple coaches. If you feel good about a particular coach and he/she is willing to put in the work to see what they need to do to help you, you can feel confident working with that person. A good coach will be happy to give you valid recommendations and/or feedback.

Castella Media Group & Alec Penix.

Castella Media Group, a digital marketing agency, announced in its blog that the company began to work with Alec Penix. 

About Alec Penix

Alec Penix is a celebrity personal trainer and a wellness coach in Los Angeles CA. He has a degree in Nutritional Sciences from University of Kentucky. Alec’s television appearances include Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, The Doctors, Inside Edition, Home & Family, and Access Hollywood. Alec has also appeared in many publications including GQ, People, Wingman Magazine, Miami Living and Muscle & Fitness. He is an accomplished speaker who has appeared on many popular podcasts and leading conventions. Alec Penix offers personal training in Los Angeles, boxing sessions, and nutritional guidance. 

“I help clients find new levels of wellness they haven’t been able to achieve. I provide the tools to increase your energy, exercise smarter, and make well-being a lifestyle,” says Alec Penix. 

About Castella Media Group

Castella Media Group was founded by Russ Castella in Lansdale PA (Philadelphia). The company focuses on digital marketing including web design, social media marketing, SEO, music video promotion, YouTube marketing, PPC marketing, and more. Current clients of Castella Media Group include The Lash Boutique Philadelphia, Keisha’s Kozy corner, Power Foods Meal Prep Los Angeles, Jenny Babas, and more.