In Nashville, creativity is not just passion, it is the lifestyle! You would too often find cowboys boots juggling between songwriting sessions, side gigs and work out sessions, all packed in one single day. Therefore, the personal trainers in Nashville are not only your fitness goal checkers, but also your lifestyle coaches and sometimes even your unofficial therapists. When you are looking for the right one, make sure they align with your way of life and your needs.
Not all trainers are the same. And hence here is a quick checklist (listed in order of priority) to ensure you choose the right one when in the music city.
1. Certification and Credentials
Certification is the most important thing, and yet few people pay attention to it. Not many people ask about certifications and credentials when finalizing a personal trainer. Make sure the personal trainer you hire has certification from a well reputed institution. As these days, it is way too easy to get one over a weekend workshop or even online. Stay away from such trainers as they may do more harm than good, and could leave you with a lifetime injury.
2. Your needs and their experience
Yes, you may have found a personal trainer with a solid certification, but that alone may not be enough. You need someone who’s trained and experienced in the specific area that matches your goals. For example, if your goal is to shed weight, make sure your trainer knows how to approach weight loss effectively. If you’re planning to run a marathon, you need someone who’s trained specifically in sports performance and endurance.
3. Reputation Matters
Nashville is a close-knit fitness community, and it takes time for a new personal trainer to become a trusted part of it unless they show some depth. This is great news! It makes it easy to find the right ones based on reviews from local gyms, yelp, or the best choice – word of mouth. Make sure the trainer you’re planning to hire has solid backing in the form of great client reviews and testimonials. If they’re new to the business, see whether any well-reputed trainers in the community are vouching for them.
4. Match the Vibe
As you will be spending a lot of time with your trainer, it becomes crucial to match each other’s vibe and communicate well. You must pay attention and see are they motivating, or do they come off as too intense. Are they listening to you and your needs or just shouting orders like a military general? On days when you’re not feeling your best, do they adapt to your energy or push you based on their own ego (or worse, their own steroids)?
5. Trial is important
Make sure you ask for a trial session or a discounted one before signing up for any contract or membership. A trial helps you understand their specialty, capability, and whether your vibes actually match. Is the communication real and two-way, or just a formal ‘hello’ and nothing more? If they don’t offer a trial, ask if you can observe them during someone else’s session. I’d strongly advise against signing up with anyone without some form of assessment.
6. Location Matters
One of the most important factors to consider is where you’ll be meeting your personal trainer. Is the location too far from your home? If so, chances are you’ll end up skipping sessions more often than you’d like. Also, check whether the trainer is tied to a specific gym, and if that means you’ll need to purchase a separate membership. These days, many Nashville trainers use open public spaces like Centennial Park, Shelby Bottoms Greenway, or Percy Warner Park for their sessions. Not only are these options often more affordable, but they also give you the chance to work out in a natural, healthy environment.
7. Lastly, Your Gut Feeling
Never misjudge your inner calling. If a trainer ticked all the above boxes, but you are still not feeling like signing up with him, then DON’T! It is important to feel safe and relaxed when you are working out, and if you have a single doubt about your trainer, it will definitely affect your fitness goals.
Finding a great personal trainer in Nashville is not difficult. All you need to do is follow the above checklist and find your best fitness pal. We at Basics and Beyond fitness & nutrition are a community of well-trained personal trainers in Nashville. We would be happy to help you achieve your goals and find the right fitness coach for you. Get in touch with me and we can discuss your goals in detail, and help you find the right fitness trainer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ques 1. How much does a personal trainer charge per session in Nashville?
Ans: Based on the experience and training, a good personal fitness trainer in Nashville can charge anywhere between $75- $125 per session.
Ques 2. How do I judge if the certification of the trainer is from a reputed institution or not?
Ans: The first question you should ask your trainer is about the training time before he got his certification. A well-reputed institution has a thorough curriculum and practical training before it provides certification. Also, a good question to ask would be if the certification was obtained online or through a weekend workshop. Lastly, you can always check online about the certification body.
Ques 3. I have a back injury. Are there any specialized trainers in Nashville that can tackle back injuries?
Ans: Absolutely yes. Many trainers in Nashville receive formal education and training specifically to tackle injuries and other ailments. We at Basics and Beyond fitness & nutrition are a community of well-trained personal trainers, with many having certifications in sports medicine and wellness. They specialize in overcoming injuries and helping people recover through fitness training.
Ques 4. I am a female, and I am comfortable with female trainers only. Are there any good female personal trainers in Nashville?
Ans: Yes. Nashville has many well-trained and experienced female personal trainers. We at Basics and Beyond fitness & nutrition have many female trainers as a part of the community of well-trained fitness coaches in Nashville.