Top Five Things To Look For When Choosing A Personal Trainer

Puravida Fitness • November 17, 2021

Top Five Things To Look For When Choosing A Personal Trainer

Running a gym through the pandemic was likely the toughest thing that we worked on. There were various challenges with getting through the process, and most of our clients could no longer come in and had to work remotely.

At the start of the pandemic, we were considering working remotely and embracing the virtual platforms. There were constant changes with the system, and we were unsure if we should stay shut for some time. We wanted to ensure that our clients were safe and felt safe through the pandemic, especially if they were considering coming in to get exercise. The flipside was that everyone needed exercise, especially after spending more than a year at home. Now with the restrictions raised, it made the process significantly better and easy. We have a lot more people coming to our gyms now. We function five days a week and have Saturdays open only through appointments because many people cannot make it for their sessions during the week.

We heard that many of our clients were picking the closest gym to them for a convenient time at the gym, but the challenge is that they had to find a reputable one if they wanted to see the best results. When it comes to picking a gym or a personal trainer, which is doubly important, people are unsure of the process and work with the first person they see. We began documenting a few steps to allow people to get the best personal trainer to see the best possible results. These are some of the steps that they can follow.

1. They have an accredited certification

Many certifications are bogus, and people can obtain them with ease. Good organizations to look for are ACSM, NASM, ACE, NSCA, or if they are a certified athletic trainer. Other than going through the certificates they already have, you should consider understanding where they got them and the process they followed. Additionally, you have to make sure of their qualifications when getting through and understand where they studied. The last thing you want as a client is to pay for someone who went through half an online course.

2. They do what they say they can do

They could know about the entire process and the execution, but can they handle it? Simply meaning, do they exercise, or do they only have actual success stories from when others went through the process? A good personal trainer should have testimonials and success stories to prove that their program works. Understand their past clients and review if everything that they are saying has some credibility. Some places promise the best results, but when it comes to showing up and working on those targets, they usually fall short.

3. They look the part

They do not need washboard abs and 20-inch biceps but do they look like they work out? In my opinion, there is nothing worse than an out-of-shape personal trainer. “Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t fly in this profession. When you are working with a trainer, they would have specific rules that they would follow, a diet that they would not break, and so on. If you have a trainer who does not look the part, you have to question if training under him or her is for you. When you coordinate with their past clients, you would have a better understanding of the work that they do, their style, and if they are reliable as a trainer.

4. They have a personality compatible with your personality

Some of the people you work with are like drill sergeants, while others prefer more fun and creative approaches, which might help them through the process better. You will be spending a considerable amount of time with this person, so there should be some connection. A middle-aged overweight and timid woman will not respond well to a football coach-style approach. I’ve learned that just as important as the program is the relationship between the trainer and client. That is why we have a variety of trainers on staff. It goes with the old saying “different strokes for different folks.”

5. They engaged when coaching clients

Too often training sessions become gab sessions, and no coaching is going on. Other times I’ve seen trainers texting and disengaged with their clients during sessions. A good personal trainer is focused and vigilant, making necessary corrections and giving feedback throughout the session. You have to make sure that they are not slacking around, and they are constantly pushing you to get better and work toward getting fitter.

If you are looking for a Personal Fitness Trainer in Lakeville, Minnesota, connect with me at Puravida Fitness. While most gyms can give you information on the right equipment to use and how you should work on increasing mass or reducing weight depending on your requirement, we additionally assist with nutrition and diet. We understand the requirements of our clients so we can make changes to the plans to benefit them. We even work with group activities if they would prefer to come in with a group. If you want a better understanding of the services that we provide, please click here. If you want to connect with us or think we can assist with a requirement, please click here.

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There Are No Shortcuts to Real Results—In Fitness or in Life

January 16, 2026

The other day, I saw an ad on social media claiming you can learn a new language in just two weeks. That’s complete BS. I learned to speak Spanish in my 20s, and it took me three years to become fluent. Not three weeks. Not a magic app. Three years. It was daily sessions with a tutor — day in and day out. It was traveling, practicing, failing, getting corrected, and testing my skills in the real world. It was literal headaches from my brain working overtime — translating, thinking, and eventually living in Spanish. It was hard. It was uncomfortable. And it was a process. But today, I’m bilingual — because I respected the process. The Lie of “Quick Fixes” Here’s the truth no one selling shortcuts wants to tell you: You will never truly learn a language in two weeks — no matter the app, system, or hack. There are no shortcuts to real mastery. And that same lie is being sold every single day in the weight loss and fitness industry. “Do this hack.” “Try this quick fix.” “Lose fat fast.” Most of it is straight-up deception. At health clubs across Lakeville, Burnsville, Farmington, Prior Lake, Savage, and Apple Valley, I’ve watched people bounce from fad diet to fad program — only to rebound, gain the weight back, and end up worse than where they started. Why? Because they tried to cheat the process instead of respecting it. Real Weight Loss Takes Time You didn’t get out of shape overnight. And you won’t get back in shape overnight either. Sustainable weight loss and lifelong wellness come from consistency, effort, and accountability — not tricks or trends. This is where working with a personal trainer makes the difference. Not someone selling hype — but someone who understands that lasting results come from: Structured training Progressive strength and conditioning Nutrition habits you can actually maintain Mental resilience and discipline That’s how real transformation happens — inside and out. Do It the Hard Way — And Get It Done Right My dad used to say, “Do it the hard way, and you’ll get it done right.” I didn’t always want to hear it — but he was right. You value what you fight for. You protect what you work for. And the struggle is what makes the reward worth keeping. Whether you’re training at a gym in Apple Valley, starting fresh in Savage, or recommitting to your health in Burnsville, Prior Lake, Farmington, or Lakeville, the principle is the same: The process matters. Make 2026 the Year You Respect the Process Maybe you’ve tried shortcuts before. Maybe you’ve been sold lies before. But 2026 can be different. This can be the year you stop chasing hacks and start building real strength. The year you commit to true weight loss fitness, guided by experience — not gimmicks. The year you invest in your health, your mindset, and your long-term wellness. Do it the hard way. And this time — get it done right.

Woman in blue shirt doing dumbbell row, trainer watches in gym.

2026 Fitness Goals: Why Most People Quit—and How You Won’t

By April Marquez • January 6, 2026

Here we are at the start of a new year—and whether you want to admit it or not, there are things in your life you want to be better in 2026. Let’s not call them resolutions . Let’s call them goals . One of my core values as a Lakeville personal trainer is Kaizen—a Japanese word that means constant, steady improvement. Real progress doesn’t come from extremes; it comes from consistent, intentional actions over time. And those actions should apply to all areas of life, not just the convenient ones. When it comes to fitness, the number one goal I hear from clients across Lakeville, Farmington, Burnsville, Prior Lake, Savage, and Apple Valley is simple: “I want to lose weight and get into better shape.” It’s a great goal—but here’s the hard truth. Nearly 80% of people quit by February. After 30 years of fitness coaching and working inside health clubs and private training studios, I can tell you exactly why. Three vital pieces are missing. 1. A Strong Purpose — Your WHY Most people stop at surface-level thinking: “I should get in shape.” “I should exercise more.” That’s not a WHY. That’s guilt. Your WHY has to run deeper. It has to matter when motivation disappears. Ask yourself: How will better fitness improve your daily life? Will you have more energy? More confidence? More years—and better years—with your family? Years ago, I trained a woman who sat in the ski chalet every winter while her family skied without her. She wasn’t just missing workouts—she was missing memories. That became her WHY. Because it mattered, she stayed consistent with her exercise and wellness plan. The following year, she skied with her family. That’s real weight loss success—not from hype or motivation, but from a clear, powerful purpose. 2. A SMART Goal (Not a Vague Wish) “Getting in shape” isn’t a goal…it’s a dream . A real fitness goal follows the SMART framework: Specific – What does “in shape” mean? A target weight? Running a 5K? Improving strength? Measurable – How will you track progress objectively? Attainable – Be honest. Challenging is good. Unrealistic is not. Relevant – Does this goal improve your overall health and lifestyle, or does it take away from what matters most? Time-bound – Deadlines create urgency. A trip, race, or event gives your training purpose. Every time I’ve seen clients commit to a real deadline, effort goes up—and excuses disappear. 3. A Real Action Plan (Not Guesswork) Most people join a gym, wander around aimlessly, and hope exercise alone will fix everything. Nutrition becomes reactive: Cut all carbs Try the latest diet Start over… again Ask yourself: Is this plan realistic? Can I maintain it long-term? Will it still work after I reach my goal? The truth is, most people don’t have the time, energy, or experience to build a sustainable plan on their own. That’s why progress disappears the moment they stop “trying.” This is where professional fitness coaching, personalized exercise programming, and long-term wellness strategies make all the difference. Make 2026 Different If you’re serious about improving your health, weight loss, and overall fitness in 2026, these three pieces are non-negotiable: A clear WHY A SMART goal A sustainable action plan Without them, it’s just another year with the same results. With them? Your chances of success increase by over 80%. If you’re ready to stop starting over and want expert guidance from a Lakeville personal trainer serving Farmington, Burnsville, Prior Lake, Savage, and Apple Valley, now is the time to build something that lasts. Your goals deserve more than good intentions. They deserve a plan.

Man in red shirt deadlifting a barbell in a gym, wearing a black beanie and weightlifting belt.

Faith, Fitness, and Longevity: A Lakeville Personal Trainer’s Journey Through 2025

December 20, 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, it stands as one of the most challenging—and transformative—years of my life.In the span of eight days, I lost both of my parents.