Picking a personal trainer is one of those decisions most people don’t put nearly enough thought into. You find someone nearby, the price seems reasonable, they look fit, and you book in. Six weeks later you’re not seeing results, you dread your sessions, or worse — you’ve picked up an injury.
Here’s what actually matters when you’re choosing someone to train with.
Qualifications matter more than aesthetics
The fitness industry in Australia is largely self-regulated, which means almost anyone can call themselves a personal trainer after a weekend course. That’s not an exaggeration.
At a minimum, look for a Certificate IV in Fitness. Beyond that, qualifications in Exercise Science, Sports Therapy, or Nutrition indicate someone who has invested seriously in their education. These aren’t just letters after a name — they represent a significantly deeper understanding of how the body works, how to program training safely, and how to get results without breaking people in the process.
At S&T STEPS, Tim holds qualifications in Exercise Science and Advanced Nutrition, and Stacey in Sports Therapy and Remedial Massage. Between them, that’s a level of knowledge most suburban PTs simply don’t have.
Programming should be individual, not templated
A good personal trainer writes your program for you — not a slightly modified version of what they give everyone else. Your goals, your movement history, your injuries, your schedule, and your starting point should all shape what you’re doing in each session.
If your trainer hands you the same program they gave the last three clients with minor adjustments, that’s a red flag. Generic programming produces generic results.
They should be asking questions, not just giving orders
Before your first session, a good trainer will want to know your history. Not just “what are your goals” but what you’ve tried before, what’s worked, what hasn’t, whether you have any injuries or health conditions, and what your life actually looks like outside the gym.
If someone jumps straight into training you without that conversation, they’re guessing. And guessing with someone’s body isn’t good enough.
Accountability without intimidation
There’s a difference between a trainer who holds you accountable and one who just yells at you. Accountability means someone who tracks your progress, notices when something’s off, adjusts the plan when needed, and genuinely invests in your outcome. Intimidation is just theatre.
The best training relationships are ones where you feel challenged but supported — where you’re pushed past your comfort zone by someone who actually knows where your limits are.
Proximity isn’t everything, but it’s not nothing
The best trainer in the world is useless if you never show up. Convenience matters. That said, don’t let it be your only consideration. Driving an extra ten minutes to train with someone genuinely qualified and invested in your progress is worth it. Signing up with whoever is closest and cheapest rarely ends well.
If you’re in the Yarra Valley, Woori Yallock, or surrounding areas, S&T STEPS offers one-on-one and semi-private personal training with coaches who hold real qualifications and write real programs. New clients get a free first session — no commitment, no hard sell.
Book your free trial here or get in touch with any questions.