How to tell if your personal trainer is wasting your time, an expert shares red flags

So, you're paying good money to let someone put you through your fitness paces.

You're showing up, putting the hard work in, but not getting the results you want.

You came for gains, but all you've got are losses... mostly in your wallet.

If you’ve ever left a personal training session feeling like nothing is changing, it might be worth asking yourself a tough question.

'Is my personal trainer wasting my time and money?'

Body transformation specialist and fitness expert Bruce Benjamin joins Sara-Jayne Makwala King on Weekend Breakfast every month for no-holds-barred fitness advice.

He says not every trainer on the gym floor is actually qualified to get you results, pointing out that standards in the industry vary widely and many trainers fall short of what clients expect.

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“The reality, based on working in various environments, I would say a one in ten, based on being adequate for basic execution, and one in twenty with someone who's very well versed across the board.”

So what should we be looking for in a personal trainer and where do we find a good one?

"Looking at someone's credentials is very, very important, but looking at someone's body of work in particular is key - looking at that and looking at it over a period of time is very relevant."

Another clue that someone is capable of helping you achieve your goals is to look at client testimonials, says Benjamin who has helped a number of high-profile clients during his 20-year career, including Siv Ngesi, Jon Boynton Lee and Makwala-King herself.

"Looking at someone's starting block and then seeing the work they've put in and seeing what the end result looks like."

And, of course, word-of-mouth and personal recommendations are a great way to find a great trainer, says Benjamin.

"Irrespective of social media...that is probably one of the most powerful tools one can possess and I always tell people, focus on your existing client base, that one person will bring you the volume back by speaking about you."

Benjamin says he has identified a number of 'red flags' people should look out for when it comes to their trainer.

First up, he says, is to make sure your trainer is adhering to appropriate boundaries.

"Things like body contact, your (physical) engagement with a client, not knowing boundaries. Female client, the hugging!? When you're correcting form, there are ways to do it."

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Another big one, in the age of tech and social media, is to beware if your trainer is spending their entire session on their phone, or scrolling Instagram, although some phone use can be justified, explains Benjamin.

"There's a difference between filming form and capturing a moment...it's a small space. But I don't think we should see cellphones on the gym floor to be honest with you."

To listen to Bruce Benjamin in conversation with Weekend Breakfast's Sara-Jayne Makwala King, click audio player below: