Hiring a Personal Trainer

Legislative action to regulate the personal training industry is underway. How fast will changes occur? Remember ephedra? That’s how fast we can see a change in the industry. As a newly nominated member of the National Board of Fitness Experts, a cohort of industry experts in the process of steering the personal training industry towards national standards, this article is presented as the first of a two part series to help you choose a trainer in a rapidly changing environment.

You count yourself among the throngs of baby boomers and seniors that are finally understanding and implementing the message that regular physical activity leads to a healthier lifestyle. Looking to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer, you head to the gym in search of fit and healthy lifestyle. The commitment is made, you’re ready to lose bodyfat, increase lean muscle mass and begin down the lifetime path of sound nutrition. And in this quest a certified fitness trainer is hired to help you meet your goals. But, is your newly hired trainer qualified?

Certified, yes. But, qualified? What’s the difference?
Independent fitness trainers have been around for a long time, but became an independent unit of the fitness industry in the 1970s. Just a decade later, personal training was the fastest growing segment of the fitness industry. According to a five-year-old IDEA fact sheet, a company designed to provide trainers a forum for education and services to be effective fitness professional, “there are over 60,000 certified personal trainers practicing in the United States .” Today, the number of trainers is in the hundreds of thousands. Based on that fact, gym members think that gaining access to a qualified trainer is easy. Think again.
As a result of the enormous growth within this segment of the fitness industry, literally dozens of companies have been formed to certify trainers. But, without industry standards, large profit margins can be gained by certification companies that depend on profits from selling certifications programs rather than producing qualified trainers. Currently, each certification company determines the criteria needed and method off testing to produce certified fitness trainers. And therein is the problem with certification companies. Some are in the business of maintaining a high level of excellence through a complete and continuing education of their clients, while others are simply in the business of making money by selling programs. However, this is all about to change with new forthcoming legislative action geared towards regulating the personal training industry.
In the meantime, before regulations take place in the industry, you as a gym member in search of a qualified fitness trainer need to look for trainers with certifications from companies that maintain their reputation of selling programs of excellence that produce certified and qualified trainers.
Quality certification companies should:

• Have pre-requisites before candidates sit for the exam
• Offer workshops that last for several days
• Provide valuable educational materials for study
• Have a broad range of company experts that cover a wide range of topics
• Use valid tests given in a sound testing environment
• Be technologically innovative with vast educational materials and online support
• Require continuing education courses
• Offer additional certifications and specializations
• Provide information on the business side of personal training
• Have a Code of Ethics for trainers to follow

Several legitimate certification companies meet most or all of the above criteria.

• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
• Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
• American Fitness Professional and Associates (AFPA)
• International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
• American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

So, you’ve located a trainer that’s obtained a certification from a reputable certification company. Ready to go sign on the dotted line now? Not so fast!
Now, it’s time to evaluate that individual trainer. Can you work with him? Will she have the ability to teach you skills that will lead you down the path of improved physical fitness? Remember, not all that are educated are gifted to convey the message. K eep the following points in mind when evaluating an individual trainer.

Have a great day and God bless!