Certified Personal Trainer

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. My practice is fairly diversified, with most clients seeking an improvement in their overall fitness level, and looking to tone and shape up.

I also see an above average number of the following types of clients compared to many of my peers:

Post-Rehabilitation, clients who completed physical therapy for various back, shoulder, knee, hip and other impairments, tendinitis, plantar fascitis, as well as abdominal surgery. Some clients fall into more than one category. Recently, I was working with two knee replacement clients at the same time. Often, clients are referred to me by their physical therapist. Post rehab clients are looking for safe effective exercises that continue the life long process of recovery, and yet still achieve their fitness goals.

Athletes, especially those 35+, including marathoners, triathletes, bikers. These clients benefit from techniques that help improve performance, reduce risk of injury and compliment their other training.

Pre and Post Natal clients can benefit from exercise because it helps prepare them for labor and delivery and helps get back in shape faster.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. There is a shocking lack of knowledge among people about what makes someone a qualified personal trainer, and how to go about hiring the right trainer for themselves. It seems like all kinds of people with all sorts of backgrounds are calling themselves personal trainers, getting people to believe it and taking people's money.

HEADLINE: Find Someone Who Is Qualified to Evaluate You, Assess Your Current Fitness, Consider Your Goals, and Develop A Safe Effective Program for Reaching Those Goals.

Some people go to the fittest person in their office, or in the gym, and make a private arrangement for personal training, thinking they look good so they must know what they're doing.

At the other extreme, a trend towards hiring physical therapists as personal trainers. They know how to fix injuries so they must know how to train.

And, of course, athletes and former athletes are often assumed to be experts on fitness.

Think about the questions below, and the feeling you get from the person you're about to hire, and you'll make a much better decision.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Does the person have a nationally recognized certification in personal training?
Did they study personal training techniques in college? Do they have a track record of success training people like you?
How do they determine the right exercise program for you?
How much experience do they have?
Do they educate themselves on an ongoing basis?
Do they have insurance in case you or they are injured?
Are they committed to being a trainer for the long-term, so that they stick with you?
Can they provide recommendations or referrals?
Do you like their style of training?
Do you like their personality?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. The most important thing is to be committed, because that has to come from the individual and not just from the trainer. The commitment involves an emotional commitment, a commitment of time, and a financial commitment.

Once committed, the time and location are important factors. Any successful personal trainer will be busy with long-time clients. It is best for a prospective new client to know when and where they ideally want to train, and have some idea of their flexibility.

Goals should also be thought through. Often these are discussed and refined when the trainer and client meet.

Information such as any past injuries, no matter how long ago or insignificant they seem, can also enlighten the trainer.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Yes. My personal training and group exercise certifications each require on-going education to qualify for renewal. I try to find significant things to study that I feel can benefit my clients, rather than just accumulating hours. I read professional journals such as the NSCA's Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, which is based on peer reviewed research, and try to avoid getting caught up in the latest fad or media and marketing hype. I also went to graduate school for an MS in exercise science and health promotion, so I established a sound base of knowledge that is above and beyond what most personal trainers offer.