How to Find the *Best* Personal Trainer for You

Regardless of what's led you to take the plunge and try to find a personal trainer, knowing why you want to work with someone will help make the process of finding that someone easier.

So before you walk up to the counter at the gym to sign up for a training session (many big-box gyms offer a complimentary trial session), know what you're looking for out of the experience. "An excellent membership advisor will hear out your concerns, interests, and match you with a trainer they think would be a good match for your personaliy," says Anne Reuss, a Denver, CO-based trainer. But you should be prepped to share some details about your goals, too, whether you're looking to train for a marathon or gain upper-body strength, so you have the best chance of being matched with someone who is a good fit.