how do I know if my personal trainer is good?

Is it time to fire your personal trainer and get a new one?

This article will give you information in order to know if your personal trainer is good, hopefully it will help you determine if it's time to find a new one or not!

1. You’re seeing measurable progress

• Physically: stronger, leaner, more mobile, better posture, more energy.

• Metrics: he tracks your performances, body composition, or health markers over time.

• Consistency: he's motivating you to show up, even on tough days.

2. He customizes everything for you

• Your plan reflects your goals, not a generic routine.

• He adjusts based on stress, travel, injuries, or energy levels.

• You feel seen and understood, not just "trained".

• He shares his vision with you regularly of the results you will achieve.

A great trainer designs your program like a tailor makes a suit: precisely for your body and lifestyle.

3. He's reliable and professional

• Always on time, prepared, and respectful.

• Follows up after sessions, checks in between, and offers support.

• Explains why you’re doing something, not just giving orders.

• He does't treat you like a paycheck, but like a human and a friend that he truly cares about.

Does he follow through, check in, and care beyond the session?

4. He elevates your whole lifestyle

• Guidance goes beyond workouts: nutrition, sleep, stress, recovery, supplements, longevity, biohacking.

• Introduces cutting-edge methods, from a wide variety of different sports and coaching methods.

• You’re not just training, you’re upgrading your entire system.

He thinks in terms of maximum optimization of your body, health, fitness and performances.

5. You trust and respect him

• You feel safe, challenged, and inspired.

• He holds you to a high standards.

• He doesn't give compliments often, but when he does, it really means you did a great job.

• You’d recommend him to someone important in your life.

Red flags that they’re not good

• No measurable results.

• He treats you like a pay check and doesn't really care about your progress.

• He doesn't make the sessions exciting and always pushes you too much.

• His sessions are painful and boring.

• Frequently distracted, late, and mot reliable.

• You feel plateaued, neglected, or uninspired.

Alex Folacci:

" I consistently share with my clients my vision of what we will achieve, make them understand that I am driving them to their goals with a solid plan specifically made for their body type and limitations, and reaching along the way "short term goals" and "middle term goals".

I keep them excited by keeping track of their PRs (Personal Records) on every exercises, and making them beat a PR almost every workout, which makes them leave the gym with pride and a feeling of having accomplished something they never did before in their life.

For example, running a 1km (0.62 mile), a mile, 10min run for maximum distance, or on the bench press beating the amount of rep at 155 lbs, 165 lbs, 175,... And I also tell them what my other clients have accomplished, and I start making them compete with each other.

The most competitive ones get very excited about this!

On top of that, I am always extremely reliable, on time and always facilitate my schedule.

I am also a strong believer in continuous learning about my industry even if I already am an expert. I am always excited to bring new concepts and exercises to my clients. "