Working out with a personal trainer is one of the best ways of ensuring that you get to your weight loss goals within a month's time. It's also the easiest road towards injury and a drained wallet if you get unlucky enough to choose a trainer without the proper qualifications. That is why it is necessary that you choose your trainer wisely. Here's a guide to help you pick the trainer that's right for you:

1. Remember that your primary goal when you engage in a physical fitness program is improved health and a better body. You can't do that if a trainer does not have the proper theoretical and practical knowledge on physical fitness. Begin your search for the right trainer by looking at his or her educational credentials. Yes, there are educational programs for trainers, complete with coursework, workshops and evaluation. This professionalizes training as a career and is your guarantee that the trainer knows what he or she is doing. At the end of training, a personal trainer should get certified by any of organizations accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or NCCA.

2. Once you are assured that a trainer is certified, ask about the clientele he or she services at the moment. If you are in your forties or fifties and the trainer's forte is in teaching those in their twenties, there might be a problem with expectations. While a very good trainer can easily understand needs of various age groups, it might be better for you to find a good trainer who works with people of the same sex and age as you are.

3. Check if the qualities of the trainer meshes with your personality. If you don't like being drilled like a soldier in boot camp, then a drill sergeant behavior in a personal trainer is not for you. You might prefer someone who is more encouraging and positive, giving you pep talks all the way. If you want a tough trainer, then you won't probably like how a silent trainer who simply observes you will conduct his sessions. Believe it or not, some trainers will give you the first session for free if you ask. Also, if the trainer is connected in a gym, you can check out how he or she conducts his or her classes there.

4. Make sure you like your trainer. You are going to be spending twice a week at the very least with your trainer so you need to be sure that you like him or her. Trainers do develop close relationships with their clients in the long-run, but you've got to observe first if his or her attitude will mesh with yours in your first few sessions. If you don't click, it would be a good idea to find another trainer.

5. The personal trainer you choose should offer reasonable rates that you can afford. You don't necessarily have to hire a trainer to the stars. There are very good trainers with reasonable fees around if you just look. Nothing removes the fun in working out more than the thought that you can't shell out the dough when your trainer collects.