Fit and fabulous: How to find the right personal trainer - and make the most of your time together

Personal trainers are in high demand, and not just for those who are rich and famous or in poor shape. These professionals use their expertise to help a wide range of people at a variety of fitness levels reach their goals. Connecting with the right trainer is paramount to success, and Cape Girardeau and Jackson have knowledgeable trainers to help people succeed.

Dianne Lawrence, assistant manager of health and fitness and personal trainer at Fitness Plus in Cape Girardeau; Amy Sutherlin, fitness manager at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape Girardeau; and Sergio Ramos, personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Jackson, have all trained people looking for the benefits of personalized fitness programs and have designed programs to suit the needs of those clients.

Lawrence, who has been in the training business for 13 years, says most people seek a personal trainer because "they lack motivation to do it on their own. They need the accountability because they can't hold themselves accountable. … It's really hard to call your personal trainer at 5 a.m. and tell them you're not coming."

Sutherlin, who has spent 26 years in the business, says people often hire a trainer because "they just want to get in shape, and most don't have any idea how to get started." Personal trainers, she adds, help them set goals so they can succeed.

But will just any trainer do? According to the experts, the answer is no.

"Experience and credentials are important," says Ramos. Lawrence and Sutherlin concur. They all say some people go through a few months of classes, while others receive intense education and certification, so research in finding the right trainer is essential.

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"Strong credentials and educational background, combined with some type of personal training certification" are ideal, says Sutherlin.

To allow prospective clients to learn more about trainers, "most fitness facilities have their personal trainers' bios online," Lawrence says. She stresses the importance of personalities meshing, adding some clients need a "softer approach," while others need more "in your face" trainers.

Ramos points to the importance of physical appearance -- of the trainer.

"I personally would like someone who's in shape telling me what I need to do to reach my goals," he says. He also specifies that enjoyable sessions are necessary to keep clients happy. "Fun and challenging" go hand-in-hand. All three trainers say if clients are dissatisfied with their training, they should communicate that.

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"If personalities aren't matching … don't be afraid to say, 'I'm paying for this, so I need to be getting what I need to be getting,'" Lawrence says.

Clients must recognize the trainer does not give the ultimate guarantee of success, however. The difference between success and failure often lies with clients themselves.

Clients must be "100 percent committed to making lifestyle changes … not just a temporary fix for one specific goal they have," Lawrence says.

Sutherlin adds, "The right trainer … sets you up on the right course, and you have to be willing to follow them on that journey," then notes, "We're only with them so many hours a week." During the rest of the week, is the client willing to put into practice what he or she is learning about exercise and diet? If not, success is not possible.

Yes, says Ramos, accountability counts, but so does a client's own ability to "stay focused" and "consistent."

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A training session often entails a combination of cardio, strength training and stretching to tend to all the body's needs. And those needs are as varied as individuals, which is why, Sutherlin says, trainers provide a "baseline assessment" at the start "catered toward that individual."

Though people tend to think training is for those who are obese or are rich or famous, it's not so, says Sutherlin.

"Anybody, regardless of fitness level and goals, can benefit from a personal trainer, even professional athletes," she says.

Whatever a person's goals, Cape Girardeau and Jackson have trainers with the expertise to help. With proper research, a good client-trainer match may be made, appropriate goals established and the journey to success begun.