Most of us Fitness Professionals have been thinking it for a while, and most of the general public have asked themselves it once or twice in the past, but how do you know if the “Personal Trainer” you’re considering hiring is a quack or is the real deal?
I just finished meeting with a new intern, and believe it or not it was truly eye-opening and confirmed my thoughts concerning this topic. You see, there is no governing body that regulates fitness and/or Personal Training in most states, including Texas. Therefore, “Joe Blow” can walk straight off the streets with a cigarette in his mouth and decide “hey, I’m going to be a personal trainer now.” Even if he/she knows absolutely nothing about the human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics of movement, or body systems and how they function. Sad isn’t it?
There are even some organizations that after having a client/participant participate in their program and have success for a while, they will allow them to go through “certification” processes, and then become a “trainer through them. Some of these “trainers” even go to the next step to open up a franchise of these companies and “manage” a fitness training studio/arena. So this person who used to be the “Joe Blow” regular Dave, is now in charge of getting you fit and in a safe way? It’s no wonder these types of places have injury after injury teaching people to do exercises “their way” (AKA-The wrong way).
This is especially sad for those Fitness Professionals such as myself and our family of Fit Pro’s at Fitness Mastermind, that have put many hard-earned years into obtaining a Nationally recognized degree in Exercise Physiology/Dietetics, as well as Nationally recognized and NCCA accredited certifications. So essentially, all of the hard work we put into becoming a “Fitness Professional” can be thrown away in an instant, that instant being when the “Joe Blows” out there decide to call themselves a “trainer.”
Not only do you have to consider the results that someone can produce when they have no clue what they’re doing because they have no education or Nationally accredited approval for being such, but also you MUST consider the chance of injury and complications that may arise from “Joe Blow” with no education or certification, as opposed to a true Fitness Professional.
After meeting with our new intern earlier and hearing her take on it, the particular metaphor she used said it more clearly than ever:
“If I am a student today, but tomorrow I decided I’m going to be a lawyer, would you hire me as your lawyer?”
The answer is clearly NO! Just because she watched a few Law & Order episodes or has been to court a few times, doesn’t mean she is qualified to be my lawyer-right? So just because a trainer has watched a few workout DVDs or been to the gym and lost a few pounds, doesn’t truly mean they know how to develop a safe, sound, and results-driven training program for you-right?
This is where the difference in “personal trainer” and “Fitness Professional” come into play. A Fitness Professional/Personal Trainer used to be somebody who had education and Nationally recognized certification(s) in the health & fitness world, kept themselves Professional and respectable at all times, and treated you as priority #1 at all times-but especially during the time of your sessions. Now days, most trainers are some gym rat who might have a decent physique due to genetics or they actually do hit the gym a few times a week, and know nothing about the science of fitness training, and what it truly takes to sculpt your body the way you’re wanting them too. They use a cookie-cutter workout or “one size fits all,” and never spend any time doing any specifics on developing a tailored program for YOU.
When talking to our new intern, we began discussing the plethora of “personal trainers” in the Austin and Round Rock areas. The fact is that as a Fitness Professional, you want to do the respectable thing and never “bash” or “down” other trainers; However, it is widely known but never discussed in the fact that 90% of the “trainers” you’re seeing on the internet or one of those million flyers and ads you see each month, haven’t the slightest clue how to develop a custom-tailored program in accordance with YOUR body’s make-up, YOUR body’s physiology, YOUR body period.
Obviously as Fitness Professionals, we are super appreciative of those “personal trainers” contributing to the movement and trying to help America beat this obesity epidemic. But at what cost? We are all about promoting health & fitness, by any means possible. But what are these trainers really promoting? Themselves and their monthly income? Because it sure doesn’t seem to be safe practices by experienced Professionals.
Next time you’re considering working with a trainer or Fitness Professional, don’t be afraid to ask them about their qualifications. Trust me as a Fitness Professional, if you’re offended because somebody asked you-you should be. Me personally, I take it as a compliment and would happily serve it up on a silver platter (hence the photo to the right ;). This simply means that this client wants to make sure they’re not working with some “run of the mill” trainer, and they are serious about getting results and therefore are willing to put forth whatever it is going to take.
Ask them how long they’ve been in the fitness industry. Ask them where they’ve worked before. Ask them what type(s) of clients they typically work with. How do you know what credentials are actually credible? Don’t be afraid to research their credentials. Google them even! If their credentials say they have a degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology, research the University they have listed. If they have a certification listed, contact that certifying agency to verify they are in fact, certified through them. Don’t know if the agency they’re certified through is good or bad? Ask about NCCA Accreditation. Here are a the “big 4” to look for, where if they have an updated certification through these agencies and you have verified this, you can 9 times out of 10 generally know that they are at least knowledgeable, maybe not experienced, but knowledgeable.
“The Big 4:”
· American Council On Exercise (ACE)
· American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
· National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
· National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Aside from asking the potential trainer to present their credentials, you’re wide open to ask them whatever it is you want to know, and don’t be afraid to ask for proof. It is your dollar going towards their services, and therefore you should be able to ensure that your dollar goes towards something profitable. You wouldn’t invest a % of your paycheck into a stock that is already dead would you? No. You want to invest in something that has potential to yield a positive result, where you can ensure success.
Bottom line:
Invest in a Fitness Professional, not a “personal trainer.”
Until next time...
Keep it Fit!
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