Through most of history, most people earned their daily bread through physical labor. Daily life required people to be fit, even for those who earned their livelihood with their minds. Today, only two percent of the jobs in the United States require physical work.

The machinery that makes modern life easier for most people allows us to be totally sedentary. Unfortunately, this lack of physical activity leads to increased body fat, and decreased muscle mass, balance, agility, metabolism, strength, endurance, and flexibility. These all have well documented adverse impacts on health, longevity, appearance, and enjoyment of life.

More people than ever are going to gyms or exercising at home to make up for the lack of fitness resulting from modern life. Early in this century, exercise was not recognized as being good for health, and people who exercised were considered strange.

Research in the last few decades has verified the importance of all exercise including aerobic (cardiovascular), strength training, and stretching. The field of knowledge involved in exercise is expanding and new equipment is being developed all the time. In the old days, gym lore was not based on science and some of the exercises used caused injuries.

Information about the effects of different exercises was developed when people became injured and went to see their personal physician. And even the physician wasn't always knowledgeable about exercise in general. Certain exercises were seen as dangerous, when the injury was caused by improper form in the exercise or a pre-existing condition.

As Sports Medicine became a distinct specialty, more was learned about the safe and effective ways to improve physical performance and appearance of the body. It is also recognized that certain populations such as the elderly, children, the disabled, pregnant women, and the obese have different concerns and risks during exercise.

This increase in knowledge and popularity made Personal Training a viable new profession. It is different from exercising in large groups because more attention can be given and programs can be tailored to the specific needs and preferences of that individual.

Initially, there were no credentials for Personal Trainers. Anyone with muscles who saw an opportunity had business cards and shirts made and opened business as a Personal Trainer. There was no way to distinguish who was qualified and who wasn't. National and International

Certifications had already been established for group exercise instructors and aerobic dance instructors and some of these organizations established Personal Trainer certifications. Most states and countries still have no requirements of any kind for education or licensing for people working as Personal Trainers, so don't assume that everyone in the business is qualified.

Choosing a Personal Trainer: What to Look For

What determines the effectiveness of a Personal Trainer is education, experience, and more hard to define personal qualities. In addition, even a highly qualified and effective trainer may not be right for you if there is a personality conflict. A perfect fit is hard to find and may change as you change your goals or stages in life.

Education and Certification

Education should include college level classes or a degree in fitness-related fields such as Exercise Physiology, Physical Education, Nutrition, Athletic Training, or Sports Medicine. Anyone employed in the fitness industry should be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid.

Some colleges have Fitness Specialist or Personal Trainer certificate programs, specific to training the public at large. As the popularity of Personal Training has grown, so has the list of certifications available. Now there are hundreds of certifications available, many of which are inadequate diploma mills.

It is best if the trainer has attended a college or university programs and/or has certification from an internationally known and respected certifying organizations. These include the American Council on Exercise (ACE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the International Sports Science Association (ISSA).

In addition to Personal Trainer or Fitness Specialist or Personal Fitness Trainer certifications which are all essentially the same, there are also certifications in specialties such as Pre/Post Partum Fitness, Seniors, Youth Fitness, Back Health, or other certifications related to working with medically-challenged people.

Some gyms will certify their staff trainers with in-house programs. These vary in quality according to how serious the company is in assuring good customer service and safety. Some companies are more concerned with the appearance of their employees being qualified. A highly qualified and knowledgeable trainer will demand a higher wage or salary and will go elsewhere if not treated with respect.

Good trainers will, by nature, take classes, view videos, and read books to broaden their knowledge and keep up with the latest advances in fitness and health. Most certifications require a certain amount of continuing education to renew the certification every two years or so.

Experience

Many certification programs lack a practical, hands-on part in the examination to insure that the trainer is attentive and able to safely monitor the client. Too many certifications are based on book knowledge alone. Hands-on knowledge comes with experience in the weight room, which some certifications may assume the applicant already has prior to certification.

However, an intelligent person with no prior weight training experience can study and pass academic classes or written certification exams. They may learn a lot of information about exercise physiology, anatomy, nutrition, and other academic subjects, but that doesn't make them safe and effective in the weight room.

A Personal Trainer can have all the education in the world, but without experience, will not know how best to apply that knowledge in the gym. Some of the most important things to know are not taught in the classroom. Experience will best serve clients when it is broad-based and includes people with similar abilities, goals, and needs. This is especially important for medically challenged clients.

People with medical conditions should ask for references to clients with similar medical conditions and when speaking to that client, ask if their doctor was consulted. Consultation with the clients' physician is important, even if the trainer has experience in training people with that condition.

Physical Activity Tips

You want to keep fit, but you cant afford the services of a personal trainer. Dont despair. Here are some tips that help increase your weekly moderate intensity physical activity.

Be ready. Be ready for activity wherever you are. Wear comfortable clothes. Keep a pair of walking or running shoes in your car and office. Walk more. Do this simply by parking your car further away from the store or office, getting off the train one stop earlier and walking the rest of the way, or walking up and down the stairs rather than taking the elevator. Plan to walk sometime during your day, at lunchtime, or after dinner. A brief walk is also a great way to start off the day or reduce stress. Play with the kids. Activities such as riding a bike, playing a game of basketball, or skipping rope all help to increase your physical activity level, and let you all have fun too! Do the household chores. Chores such as washing the windows, scrubbing the tub, mowing the lawn, or planting a garden dont just have to be looked on as chores, but as physical fitness as well!

Personal Qualities

In addition to education and experience, there are certain professional qualities that should be present. A more personal approach must be taken in this field than in many other professions because so much time is spent with the client and so many very personal issues may be involved such as body image and self-esteem.

The trainer should be both caring and professional. Watch how the trainer interacts with other clients, trainers, and gym members. This would be harder to observe for people being trained at home. A friendly, neat, and professional appearance and demeanor is a sign of taking the business and the clients seriously.

The trainer should also be reliable and organized. All sessions should begin on time and client records kept up to date and available at each session. All printed materials or equipment will be available when promised. Integrity ensures that the client will be treated fairly and receive all services contracted for in a timely manner.

All charges associated with the training should be revealed up front. The trainer should always be attentive to the client, especially when doing the exercises, to ensure the exercises are done correctly. By paying close attention, the trainer can prevent any mishap with the equipment. All weights and moveable equipment should be put back, or at least moved where it won't be a safety hazard.

For more information about who needs a personal trainer, see part 1 of this series, Would A Personal Trainer Be Good For You?

 

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