| Have you ever walked into a gym and felt intimidated with the exercise equipment, aerobics classes, free weights and/or general atmosphere? Are you avoiding exercise because you don’t know where to begin or are currently burned out with the same old exercise routine that you have been doing for months or years? Do you want to learn a routine that you can take on business/vacation trips? Do you want training advice for a marathon? Do want to get started on a weight loss program?
Stop wanting to get into shape…Let’s do it! Now is the time to get your health and fitness back onto track. A Personal Trainer can help you get the most from your exercise plan by guiding and educating you into better physical, emotional, and mental health.
What To Look For In A Personal Trainer:
With an estimated 10 national and over 100 local organizations that certify personal trainers, beware that all personal trainers are not created equal. Anyone who can hoist a dumbbell and print a business card on a home computer can call himself or herself a personal trainer, so it’s important to choose your exercise educator carefully. In choosing a trainer, you need to consider their certification, education and experience, place of employment, and personal philosophy and attitude.
A fitness certification and/or health related education does not guarantee competence, but it does show at least some level of commitment. Among the most reputable certifying organizations are the American College of Sports Medicine; the American Council on Exercise; the National Strength and Conditioning Association; the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Look closely at the smaller local certifications to make sure that you feel comfortable with their level of education. Some gyms run their own certification programs, but again these tend to be less demanding.
Choose a trainer with at least two years of experience at a club or independently. Look for trainers with a college educational background in a health sciences field (exercise science, kinesiology, human biology, etc.). This education enhances knowledge of the human body and body systems that a certification alone does not offer. Be sure to check references by talking to other clients. A list of client and educational references should be available upon request.
Place of employment offers another good tool in choosing a trainer. A reputable, services oriented, education based and well-established facility will often prove to have higher quality trainers. Beware that many large chain gyms hire trainers that are not qualified beyond a weekend certification. These gyms tend to be the less expensive and less service-oriented facilities.
Lastly, host an interview. Talk with the trainer at length. A trainer may look good on paper, but may be unable to communicate effectively with you. Some people respond to the cheerleader type while others prefer the drill-sergeant approach. Don’t judge your trainer by looks alone. Don’t assume that since someone looks really good that they know anything other than how to train themselves. You may need to talk with more than one trainer before you find someone that has knowledge and a personality that you are comfortable with.
What Can A Trainer Do For Me?
Think of a trainer as an exercise educator. A trainer can make the difference between the success and failure of an exercise program. Most personal trainers assess body fat, strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance before establishing an exercise plan, which should include a balance of cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility portions.
The trainer should tailor your program specifically to your fitness level, health status and personal objectives. By the end of your session(s), you should have an increased understanding of how your body responds to exercise and the elements that make an exercise program effective. You should know several strength-training and cardiovascular exercises for each muscle group, allowing you to vary your routine and stay more motivated.
In addition to mastering the proper technique for each exercise, you should understand why the trainer has chosen these particular moves for you. You also need to learn how to progress once you have mastered the basics and when it’s appropriate to lift heavier weights and perform more sets of an exercise.
However, recognize that trainers have limitations and a limited scope of practice. A trainer cannot diagnose injuries or prescribe diets. A trainer may offer suggestions, but if you are suffering from an injury, you should consult your medical professional. A trainer may also offer tips and advice on eating habits, but they must have a degree and/or be certified as a dietitian or nutritionist to prescribe an exact diet. A good trainer will know his/her scope of practice and limitations.
Although a personal trainer can be most valuable when you start exercising, even workout veterans can benefit from an occasional session. If you hit a plateau or simply get bored with your routine, a trainer can get you back on track. Arm yourself with exercise education this upcoming year. We only get one body in a lifetime…take good care of it!
(Editor’s Note: Adrienne McDowell is an R.N., with emphasis on health promotion and injury prevention. She is a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor and has been a professional trainer and instructor for the past eight years. She is the Marketing and Programs Director at Silverdale/Kingston Fitness and can be reached at (360) 698-2264 or mcdorich@yahoo.com.). | 
