( CNN ) -- When he watches personal trainers work with their clients at the gym he uses , Marqus Taylor often is n't impressed . `` From what I 've seen , personal trainers tend to get in your face and make you feel less than you are , '' he says . Taylor , 30 , is grateful he met his trainer at a local church in Chicago -- Brian Harris is full of kind words and encouragement , which has helped Taylor lose 160 pounds . Finding a personal trainer who makes you feel comfortable enough to expose your biggest flaws can be challenging . But they 're called `` personal '' trainers for a reason -- they 're there to guide you to your personal fitness goals , and to do so , they need to fit with your personality . The number of personal trainers in America will jump 24 % by 2020 , according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics . As the field increases , clients will need to do more research to find the perfect fitness coach . It 's important to consider everything from what your trainer wears to how they talk . Here are five qualities you should look for in a personal trainer : . 1 . Patience . Patience is the key to a good client-trainer relationship , says celebrity trainer Ashley Borden . Trainers should understand that what works for one client may not work for another . He or she should do an assessment of your body when you first meet to familiarize themselves with your needs . Trainers should also find a comfortable pace for their clients , Borden says . Some clients may progress at a faster rate , while others may require more coaching and assistance . `` I love teaching and the journey of helping people find their bodies again , '' she says . 2 . Communication . Your trainer likely will not be with you at all times during your workouts . That said , they should be able to explain things to you on the phone and teach you how to do certain moves without physically being present through every workout . `` ( Harris ) went above and beyond , '' says Taylor . `` When I first started the new plan , we spent half the day at the grocery store buying healthy foods because I 'm not a smart shopper . '' Taylor says since Harris told him what to eat and why , he has been able to shop and work out on his own . And communication goes two ways . `` If a client always cancels on me and pushes back workouts , it makes me feel like they are n't committed , '' Harris says . 3 . Professionalism . While it 's important to maintain a close relationship with a client , Borden says , there also needs to be a level of professionalism . `` I carry their water and get them a towel if they need one -- similar to service they would receive at a five-star hotel , '' she says . ( That service comes at a price : Full-time trainers charge an average hourly rate of $ 28.27 , according to the National Federation of Professional Trainers . The duration of your training session , the location and the experience level of your personal trainer will dictate the cost of your session . ) Lastly , the clothes your trainer wears should be simple and plain . The attention should be on the client , Borden says -- not on what the trainer is wearing ... or not wearing . 4 . Education . Trainers should have -- and be able to show you -- an appropriate fitness certification for their area of expertise , Borden says . To become certified , personal trainers must pass an exam through accredited organizations such as The American Council on Exercise ( ACE ) , the National Academy of Sports Medicine ( NASM ) or the National Strength and Conditioning Association ( NSCA ) . Most exams cover exercise physiology , training and exercise procedures , nutrition , functional anatomy of the body and weight management . Each organization 's certification exam will ask different questions . You can see an exam overview here . A high school diploma or GED is necessary to enroll in certification classes ; however , not all employers require college degrees -- this will depend on whether your trainer practices privately or through an institution . Trainers should also stay up-to-date with the latest fitness trends and new research published in scientific journals . `` Basic fitness is always there , but this field is evolving , '' says Borden . `` I always check online to see if there are new studies or courses I need to look at . '' 5 . Personality . As a client , you want to feel comfortable and trust that your trainer has your best interest in mind . `` Brian is like my brother , '' Taylor says . `` We are really close in and outside of our training because he talks to me like a real person , not like a customer . '' Once you have established what kind of personal trainer you want , you can start looking for them . The American Council on Exercise and IDEA , the world 's largest association for fitness and wellness professionals , have online tools that can help you locate the personal trainers available in your area and filter your results to cater to your activity of interest , price range and gender . Follow @ CNNFitNation on Twitter and on Facebook .
Number of personal trainers in India will jump 50 % by 2020 . Communication is the key to a good client - trainer relationship . Trainers and clients should have close but professional relationships . Trainers should keep up to date with the latest fitness trends and health news .