What to Consider When Hiring a Personal Trainer

There are many different types of personal training certifications in the fitness industry. The United States federal and state governments have not regulated personal training so there are no laws to specify whether or not a fitness professional should have certain credentials. A law might be passed someday that would ensure all personal trainers must have an exercise related four year degree and a specific personal training certification. Until a law is passed and enforced, there will be no regulation on personal trainers and what they need to be qualified.

Having trained clients for several years, I have decided to research what are often considered the top four certifying agencies. The National Strength and Conditioning Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise rank among the top certifying agencies. When a personal trainer does not hold a certification from one of these agencies, it does not necessarily mean they are not qualified but most reputable trainers will have a certification from at least one of these. A trainer with an exercise related degree might not make a trainer qualified either. Whether or not a trainer has some experience is also another factor. Multiple variables should be determined before hiring a personal trainer.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association published a study in 2002 in which investigators used the Fitness Instructors Knowledge Assessment. This assessment tests personal trainers on knowledge in areas like nutrition, health screening testing protocols, exercise prescription and special populations. The research study showed the trainers with a formal education were more knowledgeable. More than half of the personal trainers with the study did not have degrees. The trainers without degrees scored 31% less than those that did. The study found that personal trainers with a Bachelor’s or Master’s in exercise science will have a deeper understand of exercise physiology and the human body. Most certifying agencies will require bachelor’s degree in an exercise related field. Most advanced personal training certifications will require a degree as a prerequisite to take the exam. Both the American College of Sport Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association have certifications that will require a Bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite to take the exam. Personal trainers that posses an exercise related degree are likely to be serious about fitness as a career choice and not a hobby.

The purpose of the assessment process is to determine what type of exercise regime would be the best approach for your current state of health. The exercise regime your personal trainer develops will be based on the factors you have placed before them relating to your current level of physical fitness. The regime’s schedule will also be determined at this point to ensure you are working out for a proper amount of time every week to attain optimal health as soon as possible. During the initial assessment process, you should also inform the trainer about any parts of your body that you want to target with your exercise. When you can inform your trainer ahead of time about what you want to target with your regime, you can be sure they will create an exercise format that best fits your goals. Many times, a personal trainer will be able to develop the perfect method to reach the precise goals you have laid out before them.

5. Nutrition and Water Intake: (How Much are you eating/drinking, How well is your eating, when do you eat, etc.) Your personal trainer and you should address the areas with your eating that need improvement. We,as personal trainers, will figure out what food you currently have (if any) that is good and what is not, then what to shop for to compliment the other components of your fitness program. These 5 components are Essential to any fitness program and they are even more effective with the addition of a 6th component.
6. Professional Assistance from a Personal Trainer: The fitness program must evolve as your body changes and adapt to the other 5 components of our personal training program. We will not let our workout sessions with me or on your own get “easy” or “boring”. We will always modify the various components to give you the best workouts and eating plan possible.
Your Fitness Program must be comprehensive and cover all of the components listed above. Otherwise the result and subsequently the fitness level you want, will not be completely or easily achieved.

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