Choosing the Right Trainer for You

Choosing the Right Trainer For You – A Mumsafe Perspective

Finding and choosing the right personal trainer or fitness professional can feel a little like dating—you’re looking for someone who gets your goals, vibes with your personality, and knows how to bring out your best! We’ve created this handy ‘how-to’ guide for Mums looking to start exercising and looking for support on their journey.

Is your Trainer the right fit for you?

The first step in finding a trainer is understanding what you need right now. As a new mum or if you are just getting started, your needs are unique. Take some time to reflect on your goals and what type of support you’re looking for.

For postpartum mums, it’s essential to find a trainer who is:

• Qualified in pre- and postnatal exercise.
• Experienced in working with mums.
• Connected with a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.
• Aware of the individual challenges each postnatal journey can bring.

If you meet a trainer who seems unsure about these areas or dismisses your concerns, it’s okay to move on and be honest as to why (if they ask!).

Questions Your Trainer Should Ask You

A good trainer will always start with a pre-exercise medical questionnaire. This is a vital part of their duty of care and ensures they have all the necessary information to design a safe and effective program for you.

As a new Mum, expect questions about:

• Your birth experience as well as previous births
• Pelvic floor health
• Abdominal wall condition (e.g., diastasis recti)
• Your mental and emotional wellbeing
• Any other relevant health concerns

If a trainer skips this step, it’s absolutely a red flag.

Conversations to have in your first consultation

Before meeting your trainer, think about your goals, expectations, and availability. While your trainer can suggest the best plan, it’s important that it fits your reality and lifestyle.

For example, if you want to train for a half-marathon but can only commit to one run per week, you’ll need to adjust your expectations. Likewise, if a trainer pressures you to commit to more sessions than you’re comfortable with then be clear with them as to what will and will not work for you. It’s important that you make sure the plan aligns with what feels right for you now. You can always add in additional things once you get going and find your groove.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Training

This depends entirely on your preferences. Some people work with a trainer for a short time to learn the basics and then continue on their own. Others maintain a long-term relationship with their trainer for years, finding it invaluable for accountability, motivation, and expert guidance.
Having someone else handle your program can be a huge relief, especially for busy mums!

Can Trainers Offer Nutrition Advice?

Unless your trainer has specific qualifications in nutrition, their advice should be fairly basic. If you need detailed meal planning or in-depth guidance, look for a nutritionist or dietitian. Always check a trainer’s credentials if they’re offering more than general advice. Remember too that Social Media is full of advice so go cautiously there too. Even friends and family may have strong opinions as to what worked for them so remember to run it through your internal guidance system first!

Choosing the right trainer when you have No Goals? No Problem!

If you’re unsure about your goals, that’s okay! A good trainer will help you figure out a realistic and ideal direction. Simply wanting to move your body regularly is a fantastic starting point and doesn’t need to be tied to performance or aesthetic outcomes.

Should You Work With Multiple Trainers?

It depends on your needs and circumstances. If your current trainer isn’t qualified to address a new goal or life stage—like pregnancy—it might be time to seek out a specialist. Variety can also be beneficial if you’re exploring different types of exercise or training methods.

Ultimately, the key is finding someone who’s the right fit for your current situation. Your journey is unique, and your trainer should respect and support that. Find your local MumSafe Trainer here and book-in for a chat or Trial class to see if we can be your person!