How to Find a Personal Trainer (and Choose the Right One for You)
Personal Trainer in Edinburgh
If you’ve ever typed “how to find a personal trainer” into Google, you’ll know just how overwhelming it can feel. Hundreds of trainers pop up, all claiming to get you results but how do you know who actually understands your life and what you want to achieve?
Whether your goal is to lose weight, build strength or simply feel better in your own skin, the right personal trainer can make a massive difference. And if you live in or around Edinburgh, there are more options than ever. But let’s be honest, not every trainer is a good fit for you.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to find a personal trainer that suits your goals, lifestyle and personality, made simple and jargon-free.
1. Start With Your Goal — Be Specific
Before anything else, it helps to get honest with yourself about what you want from training. It might be:
To lose weight and keep it off
To feel stronger and more confident
To build muscle without feeling intimidated
To stay accountable and actually enjoy going to the gym
Once you’re clear about that, it becomes much easier to filter out the wrong kind of trainer and spot the right one immediately.
2. Look for Real Specialism — Not Just “General Fitness”
A lot of trainers claim to help with everything, but you want someone who actually focuses on what you need.
If your goal is to lose body fat and feel stronger, look for a trainer who has proven results in fat loss, strength building and habit change. If you want sustainable results, diet guidance and a confidence boost, not hardcore bodybuilding then that should be their main area of work.
You can actually check this quite quickly when browsing their website. For example, on my own Personal Training page, I specifically talk about helping people lose weight, get strong and gain confidence because that’s what I specialise in.
3. Read Reviews and See Real Client Transformations
Social proof matters. Real people, real results, real stories. Before-and-after pictures can be great, but it’s even better to see stories from people who started exactly where you are — busy jobs, low confidence, maybe nervous to step back into a gym.
Check the trainer’s Google reviews, client testimonials and transformation stories. If you want some inspiration, have a look at my Success Stories page to see how normal, everyday people achieved life-changing results.
4. Arrange a Chat — This One's Big!
One of the best ways to know if a trainer is right for you is to simply have a conversation. Any good personal trainer will offer a phone call or free consultation to talk through your goals.
Use that chance to ask things like:
Do you guide me with nutrition as well as workouts?
How do you track progress?
What support do you give between sessions?
Have you helped people like me?
You’ll know quite quickly if they seem genuinely interested in helping you or if they’re just trying to sell sessions. The right trainer should listen, ask questions and make you feel comfortable.
5. Make Sure Your Personality Fits
This is hugely underrated. You’ll spend a lot of time with your trainer so you need someone whose energy and coaching style matches yours.
Some people need someone high-energy and loud; others want someone calm and encouraging. Neither is right or wrong, it’s just about who fits you.
6. Location, Flexibility & Accountability
Even the best trainer won’t help if you can’t realistically turn up! So think about:
Are they located near you or on a convenient route?
Do they offer flexible times?
Do they give accountability outside of the gym like check-ins, support messages, or nutrition guidance?
For example, I train clients in Edinburgh and also offer flexible check-ins and support between sessions, because I know life gets busy and people often need accountability beyond just one session a week.
If that sounds like something you need, feel free to read more here: Personal Training Edinburgh
7. Don’t Fall for Quick Fixes
Avoid trainers who promise unrealistic results in 4 weeks or push extreme diets. Anyone can make you drop water weight fast but sustainable fat loss and strength come from habits, food education and building consistency.
Choose a trainer who focuses on real, long-term change, not magic fixes. Look for someone who talks about confidence, lifestyle changes, and long-lasting results.
8. Check Their FAQs or Resources
A trainer who cares about their clients often provides helpful guides, FAQs or free resources. This shows they have structure and experience, not just random workouts.
Take a look at their website FAQ section (like mine here: Frequently Asked Questions) to see how they handle common worries and questions. Do they explain things clearly? Do they sound supportive?
9. Bonus: Watch for Confidence & Communication
The best trainer isn’t just one who knows anatomy or writes good programmes. It’s someone you trust, someone who makes you feel confident and heard. That’s what keeps people coming back and that’s how results actually happen.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're based in Edinburgh and you're looking to lose weight, build strength and finally feel confident in your body — you can book a Free Consultation with me right here:
Even if we’re not the right fit, I’ll give you honest advice and point you in the right direction.
Final Thoughts: How to Find a Personal Trainer That’s Right for You
So, to recap, if you're trying to figure out how to find a personal trainer, remember this:
Be clear about your goals
Look for real-world success stories
Make sure they specialise in what you actually want
Have a chat first and trust your instinct
Choose someone who supports you fully, not just during sessions
When you find the right personal trainer, it’s not just about workouts, it’s about changing how you feel about yourself. It’s about confidence, strength, mindset and enjoying the process- not punishment.
If you’d like to see real success stories of people who have lost weight, built strength and transformed their confidence with me, check out my Success Stories page.