I just realised you would prolly kick my trainer. :D ...so...i would like to add to this post. By my standards a good trainer is:
a.) Someone you can calmly wish a happy good sex life and occasionaly show him a bird in sign language and he doesn't take it to his heart.
b.) Someone who respects your certain issues - example: I don't want him to control my diet, I do not want to be measured, I do not want any kind of tables, etc....but I know he is there in case I change my mind (and he doesn't nag me about it).
c.) I had only one goal ... to tone up a bit after a huge amount of lost weight. I was mainly looking for a motivator and that is what i got. I am not an easy person to work with. So for the last point I would say...think about what you bring to the table too. I bring a snarky unwilling atitude. So my trainer doesn't measure up to the posts standards....but he can sure put a leashe on this bitch (excuse my french). :) In september it will be a full year since going to the gym. My goals were already reached and I'm thinking of setting new ones for the next year.
But yes...I would recomend a trainer to just anyone and sometimes its not all in the knowledge he has...but also has to be a bit of a psyhologist. Easpecially if you are a special snowflake like i am.
Great post!