So I'd always been an exerciser. And a good one at that. I'd push myself, I'd commit to the gym, and I'd get there - that is until I discovered my talent for developing excuses. We've all been there, convincing ourselves that the weather is just too nasty, the day was just too crazy, or Grey's Anatomy is just too good. Well, what I also discovered was tighter clothes, lethargic mornings and a growing roster of excuses.

Skeptical of personal trainers, I wondered what they could really offer me that I couldn't figure out from reading a fitness magazine. But I guess the power of Halle back to pre-pregnancy weight a shocking six weeks after labour is a pretty good testimonial for trainers. Also, seeing the many women working with personal trainers at the Toronto women's GoodLife I belong to, I thought it time to set my skepticism aside. After forking over half my recently awarded bonus, I was signed on with a five-foot-nothing fireball of energy who I specified to that I needed her "to kick my butt." Currently in the throes of a 16-week training program, she's followed my specifications and then some.

I think I got the luck of the draw with the fabulous personal trainer I was assigned with (although she's moving on from personal training in a week's time, and it sorrowfully feels like a one-sided break-up). But I can tell you that sometimes the personal fit just isn't there. After all you're spending a lot of isolated time with this one person, and they are seeing you at your worst (grunting, sweaty disdain for years of indulging in too many chocolate martinis and bonbons). I had one short experience with a trainer prior to this, and it was a personal spill session for her with tales of the latest guy. I don't know about you, but I want to get in and out of the gym as quick as possible and playing therapist isn't conducive to a tight schedule.

Therefore, I am going to enlighten you with the top six considerations for specifying what type of trainer you need. Remember you are the client: be brutally honest with what type of trainer you're looking for. Consider the attributes of a trainer like any product you shop for.

1. Will you be motivated by a muscular male trainer, or will you prefer to sweat and grunt in the presence of your own sex?

2. Will you thrive from tough love or hand holding support?

3. Do you have any particular weaknesses you need assistance with? (i.e. Nutrition issues? Request a trainer with nutrition training)

4. Do you have any athletic skills you'd like to incorporate? (i.e. For myself as a former dancer, being paired up with a current dancer as a trainer meant the incorporation of dance-inspired exercise)

5. Will you respond better to someone your own age, someone younger and sprier, or someone older and wiser?

6. Do you want someone who avoids the niceties and just gets down to business, or are you less G.I. Jane about training?

Share these with the person pairing you up with a trainer. Be honest and speak your mind if the initial pairing isn't working out. Given the cost of training it's your right to speak up.

For anyone who's skeptical of the world of personal training, I encourage you to take the leap. Neither your mind nor Shape Magazine can push you to do another rep you never thought possible. If the money scares you, stop shopping for a month. That's a challenge in itself, but when you realize the money is being redirected to your health and well-being and a permanent feeling of self-confidence that no skinny jean can offer, you'll never look back - except to check out your own assets of course.

By: Megan Matthews