How to choose a personal trainer

4. Trainers can be hired for a day, a month or for years.
You can ask a trainer to design a one-time program that you then follow on your own. "If you travel a lot, you may need a routine that you can easily take on the road," says Hutton. "I will write down the routine, go through it with you, and then you take the plan away and use it."

But constant adaptation and change is important to keep the workout fresh and challenging. Many trainers visit clients regularly -- often every other month -- to reshape a fitness plan. "You have to continuously push yourself to get better or the body will stay the same," says Hutton. "A personal trainer takes the components of training and then changes them so people continue to improve and have fun."

You can schedule a trainer for weekly private workouts, either at a studio or in your own home. Or you could get a few friends together and share a trainer on a regular basis, making it more fun and less expensive.

5. A good place to find a trainer is at a reputable fitness club.
Most major fitness clubs, including the YMCA, offer personal trainer services. Check under Health, Fitness and Exercise Services in the yellow pages and you'll find listings for some personal trainers as well as for clubs.

Depending on the level of expertise and the time involved, fees for a personal trainer vary from $25 an hour for a junior trainer up to $125 an hour for a more experienced one. The higher fees usually apply to trainers who come to your home.

Page 2 of 2