We may often believe that having a personal trainer is nothing short of a (rather expensive) whim that only celebrities do – and should – indulge, but the reality is that having this kind of assistance throughout a workout outshines all these arguments. The key to having a healthy exercise routine and the results we want, though, is to find just the trainer that can help us in our endeavor, exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer Bob Greene says for That’s Fit.

Having a personal trainer is not just something fancy or trendy that people do, but a real necessity that arises from the fact that we should always be under a professional’s supervision. In this sense, a personal trainer should offer expert advice on countless topics, from working out to nutrition and lifestyle changes that need to be operated. He or she should also be able to assist us in anything we might need around the gym, as well as to help us in case of an accident or injury, Greene points out.

Nevertheless, the single most important aspect we must pay attention to when choosing a personal trainer is his/her communication skills, Greene says. If the trainer sticks only to routine exercises and fails to create a workout tailored specifically to our needs, or if he/she does not ask us about our needs or goals or, even worse, if he/she can’t motivate us to get there, then it’s best if we just moved on to another “candidate.” In fact, Greene states, the perfect way to find a personal trainer is to select more candidates and then choose from them after a couple of meetings.

“Feel free to set up appointments with several candidates to find the right one for you. Ideally, you’re looking for someone who listens and communicates well. He or she should ask you about yourself, your lifestyle and your goals. He should promote an integrated program that includes strength training, weight management, cardiovascular exercise, nutrition and flexibility training.” Greene says. Should the candidate not meet these conditions, then it’s clear we’re wasting our time and money.

Speaking of money, Greene also has a solution for those who think hiring a personal trainer is too expensive. “There are a few ways to minimize the fee: Round up a couple of friends to work out with and split the cost (many trainers allow group sessions). Or you can also spring for a few sessions to get you started with a new routine. Then, you can just treat yourself to periodic check-ins to make sure you’re still on the right track. You shouldn’t commit to a number of prepaid sessions with a trainer until after you’ve worked with him for a while and know that you connect with him. Instead, pay as you go.” Greene recommends.