Are You Working with a Certified Trainer
Having gone through hundreds and hundreds of hours of certifications, workshops, continuing education courses and numerous amounts of tests, I can tell you that like any health profession there are both good & bad practitioners. Unfortunately with the fitness industry there are no national standards or licenses like other medical professions.
Professional certifications are important and should be taken seriously. They represent an assurance from the industry to both consumers and those within the industry that the person who has that certification has met certain standards of education, skills, and professionalism. These standards are set by the industry. Sometimes professional certifications are required before one can practice in a specific industry - massage therapists, school teachers, and public accountants (CPA) are examples. So why not trainers?
There are almost 500 personal training and fitness certifications with the majority requiring no more than an online multiple choice test and a fee of around $50.00! There are also many programs that people can complete in only one weekend! Really? Having the experience of teaching a Pilates Certification Program I can tell you that there is way more to getting properly certified than some online test or weekend warrior “training!"
So why am I bringing this up? First off many trainers (myself included) work extremely hard at obtaining advanced degrees, the high level accredited certifications and treating our profession as a true health care field! Second, as a health care provider I am obligated to protect the health and safety of people. I can't tell you how many people have come to me after being injured by a bad personal trainer and they are terrified of exercising for fear of more of the same! This can be extremely dangerous! People must become educated as to what credentials a trainer needs and what questions they must ask to ensure their own safety!
So how do you properly choose a trainer? What credentials should they absolutely have? And what resources do they have for you to verify they have these credentials? Here are some essential questions to ask or points to consider when choosing your trainer:
#1 DO NOT choose a trainer based on appearance, everyone is genetically different. You cannot look like someone else just by doing their workout or diet! It is physiologically impossible! Also drug use and cosmetic surgery run rampant in the fitness industry because it is so appearance driven. Do not let yourself be fooled!
#2 They should have at least one certification from an approved organization. These certifications are NOT from online or weekend courses, but rather have a process of completing, 450-600 hours of a comprehensive certification training program. The top organizations & certifications require: a minimum number of hours, both written & practical examinations, and yearly continuing education credits from reputable sources.
#3 Can the trainer give you references and contact info for past and current client you can get objective information on them and their skills? You should find out how long their clients usually stay with them and why? On average my clients stay with me for years because I am constantly helping them and teaching them new skills and pushing them. I personally know of several other professional career trainers that have the same following due to their knowledge and skills. These highly skilled people are out there, you just need to look!
#4 Is the trainer familiar with your goals i.e. sport specific training, weight loss, pre-post natal, post-injury rehabilitation, special populations, pediatrics, geriatrics etc.? Most trainers that specialize in one or more of these areas go and obtain specific certifications or degrees in these areas in addition to a personal training certification. You must be the one to ask! Your health is in your hands –nobody else’s!
#5 Is this the trainer’s career choice? Or are they doing it part-time until something else comes along or as a second source of income? I don’t know about you but I would not feel comfortable with a part-time surgeon or dentist?
#6 Does your program incorporate the daily movements you need to live and work and the activities you wish to improve? If a workout looks like it just came out of a bodybuilding magazine then it is useless unless you are a competitive bodybuilder! Every week I give my clients homework. It’s just 3 exercises or fundamentals they can throw into a workout outside of the studio. It will be something we are working on that week and we go over it at the end of the workout. They are very serious about it and also very honest if they didn’t get to it that week. Some like to do it for a few weeks and then get new homework, others like it every week. I have yet to meet a client that isn’t thrilled with homework.
#7 Does the trainer have an established referral network in case there are problems beyond their skills and scope of practice? Every good professional trainer I know (including myself) has established themselves a network consisting of: medical doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, dentists, massage therapists, nutritionists etc. because one person can’t know everything. Ask to see this list and contact some of these professionals, if the trainer is any good they will tell you so because these professionals will not jeopardize their reputations and practices by recommending a poor quality trainer!
Remember it is up to you to ask questions and check credentials. Every time a trainer renews their certification and insurance they receive dated cards and or certificates that state when they were originally certified and when the current certification / insurance expires. The same is true for their CPR and first aid certifications. ASK to see these cards and certificates and don’t take no for an answer. If they truly have the credentials they should be proud to present them for they work extremely hard at obtaining them and keeping them current! (I know I do!)
Chelsea Streifeneder
Owner of Body Be Well Pilates
Chelsea@bodybewellpilates.com
Side note: There are organizations out there that "certify" Pilates Instructors. For example, the Pilates Method Alliance in the United States.