For those who have a personal trainer, how did you find them?

 So I am dead serious about attempting the Ironman next year, and I am going to need a real trainer to get me there. I am not impressed with the people at my gym, I have met every single one of them and while they might be good for someone just trying to tone up, they are not going to meet the demands I have. 

So for those who have trainers beyond the gym, how did you find them? What questions should I be asking? What should I be looking for as far as their credentials? 

You might be able to find athletic trainers in the yellow pages. First I would ask if the trainer has completed Ironman/woman, otherwise they wont have a clue what you need.

Check around the Internet for a good group forum for Ironman, and see if anyone in your area has a trainer they can recommend.

I'm not at the point to even attempt something like that, but Best of Luck to You!!!!

I would ask my chiropractor,personally. He treats a lot of pps like that as well as alternative practioners so that is who I would ask.
GL

I think many people who train for something like an Ironman or Triathlon have special training groups and trainers. Send a PM to Macdame or post the question on the Exercise Forum.


Gail

I used a company called Custom Built that contracts out to gyms. They set me up with the right person, but they also contract out to my gym, so they were already "in house".

Me, I'd find someone who actually does IronMan competitions and ask them with whom they train. My BIL does IronMan (granted we're in CA). I can ask him how he found his trainer and how he went about getting a trainer, if that's something you're interested in. Just let me know.

I've had 2 really good ones and neither worked in a gym.  Both were word of mouth referrals.  I agree with above - ask your chiropractor or podiatrist.  I spent a session talking with my current trainer to get to know him and him me - especially wanted to know his reaction/opinion to my planned wls.  (I would not spend the energy trying to convince someone that I'm paying to value my decision).  GOOD LUCK - I love my trainer (figuratively - lol) and couldn't have come this far without him.

 Skip the trainer and join a TRI club! That will help you out tons more than a trainer because you will need to train specifically for the IM and not waste a whole lot of time on other important yet irrevelant fitness aspects. 

Id put up a post on the exercise forum as well - there are several ironman finishers on there - and I know Andrew is about to do Lake Placid this weekend and several of them are getting ready to do Augusta together :)

I picked mine out at the gym cuz he was really hot and built. That's probably not good selectrion criteria if you're seriously wanting to push hard.