There are several things to consider when choosing a personal trainer, from experience to whether you can stand being around the trainer while being flogged through a workout.

Check for certification from a respected sports or exercise association, said personal trainer Brad Krzykowski, owner of Beyond Fitness Hawaii.

Among the groups: the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Also, ask if the trainer has a degree in the fitness field. For example, Krzykowski, a 25-year-old former collegiate cheerleader, has a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology and exercise science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"Ask what they do themselves," he said. "You want somebody who has a personal background in athletics or a fitness lifestyle. And how long they have been doing that."

If you belong to a gym, ask the general manager or athletic director for a reference or a selection of trainers, he said.

And if you see a trainer you think you like, watch the trainer in action.

"Watch to see how well they are working with people, what their speed is like," Krzykowski said. "Look to see if they are someone you are going to enjoy being around for an hour. You don't want to go into anything blind."

Not only should a trainer be able to push you past your comfort zone, but should be able to match the exercise with your needs. Rick Ahn, athletic director for the Honolulu Club, said trainers usually have a specialty, so you need to be sure that it matches your fitness goals.

"It is important to know what their niche is," he said. "Not every trainer is good at everything."

And personality is just as important as a pulse monitor.

"You want to find out what their personality is like," Ahn said. "I think it is important to have that connection on a personality level. It is OK for a client to interview the trainer, to ask him all kinds of questions about his style and philosophy."

But you have to share as well. Krzykowski said he interviews new clients to learn their health history, from old injuries to heart conditions. He's worked with a wide range of people, from aging athletes who want to keep competing without injury to those who need an appointment with a paid trainer to force them into working out.

"Some of them just want to do something different," he said. "Getting together with a trainer who knows a lot of variations on exercises can really be fun and challenging. It brings the enjoyment back into their fitness program."

All this sweat doesn't come cheap. Krzykowski said most trainers charge $55 to $75 an hour.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.