Hiring a personal trainer is a big decision for most people. Since all personal trainers are not created equal and there’s no regulating body for this industry, it’s important to make sure you do your due diligence when interviewing – and selecting – the right personal trainer for you.

To help you do that, here are three questions to ask before you commit:

Mistake #1:  Hiring an unqualified Personal Trainer

It’s possible to become a personal trainer in as little as a weekend. Which is scary! (I can’t tell you how many certified trainers I’ve interviewed that don’t know basic anatomy or injury-prevention principles.) So it’s important that your trainer have more than a basic certification – look for someone with a college diploma or university degree in a health-related subject, and the more additional/specialized training the better. Also, CPR certification is a must.

Mistake #2: Hiring a Trainer without a Plan

A plan, with mini goals plotted out along the way, is critical for long-term success. Which is why we track, measure, and goal-set on the regular over here. So ask your trainer how all that works. Will you start with a goal-setting session? How often will you be re-assessed? What does success look like?

Mistake #3: Hiring a Trainer you end up not liking

This one’s a question for you, as opposed to them. And it’s a simple – but oh, so important – one: Do you like the person sitting in front of you? Are they respectful? Do you feel understood? Are they friendly? If all goes well, you’ll spend a fair bit of time with this person, so you want to choose a person you’ll look forward to seeing, who makes you feel comfortable.