Personal training is a competitive industry. People from all walks of life are deciding to switch careers and become a fitness professional. To stay competitive it is important to have a diverse portfolio, or "toolbox". An example would be acquiring a certification from a well known organization, such as the American College of Sports Medicine. This can show potential clients that you have taken the extra step to gain experience, which can make them feel more confident in trusting you as their trainer. Another such tool to add into your toolbox would be education.
Education is just as important as being certified. One reason is training someone is more than just showing them how to lift a weight. To successfully help a client reach their goals, one must have sufficient knowledge in anatomy and kinesiology, exercise physiology, health risk stratification, biomechanics, nutrition, biology, and designing exercise programs. These topics are usually minimally covered in certification exam study materials, which is not enough. To have a full understanding of these topics can take months of studying and research.
Another reason for obtaining education is for the safety of your client. It is important to understand how the body functions and how exercise can affect it. Without a solid understanding of the above topics, one could teach a client an exercise that might actually hinder reaching their goals instead of helping them. An example could be if someone has recently had knee surgery, and a trainer recommends as part of their routine they run to lose weight (an extreme example). If the trainer had sufficient education, they probably would not have recommended running as they would know it can take weeks if not months for recovery. They instead would have recommended light exercises that would strengthen the surrounding joint muscles first, before getting into any type of cardio regimen.
Continuing your education is always important whether you are a seasoned trainer or just starting. New research and exercise methods are always coming to light, and obtaining education is a great way to stay on top of it all. Don't feel like you have the time to go to a local college or university for a class? Try typing into Google "Online Certificates in Fitness and Health". The next several pages will provide you with a wide variety of health and wellness courses to choose from, all of which are online.
Whether on-site or online, what's important is you are striving to further your education and knowledge. That is what set's a great trainer apart from everyone else.
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