Hi Kira!
I'm sure you'll get lots of tips from the experts around here, but I thought I'd chime in since I'm in a chatty mood today.
Not sure how to go about it when you have limited options in a small town, but I think you definately need to set your expecations with the trainers and discuss your goals for the sessions. They should be tailoring the workouts for you and not watching you do cardio or chatting with their phones or buddies - that is unacceptable!
I lucked out and found an amazing training company. Well...amazing to me. I've never worked with anyone else, but I have no desire to do so. The training company I work with is structured with the owner doing all the consults, evals and creating the programs. He hired trainers to then do most of the client sessions. I've worked with 3 different trainers over the past 8 months, but I am constantly in contact with the owner...who I really consider my trainer because of the relationship we've established. I am now training with him one day a week. I wish I could train with him all the time, but I also understand how he has structured his company. It's working great for me so far.
Good Luck finding someone that meets your needs. It's definately a luxury, but for me it's been fabulous. I am starting to reduce my number of sessions and go it solo once a week or so...partially to save some money and partially because I want to use the knowledge I've gained to see how I do on my own.
Barb