FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My certification, the NSCA-CSCS, requires extensive continuing education in order to stay certified. That said, I believe personal trainers must stay abreast of scientific advances and research in our field in order to improve the quality of what we provide to our clients. I subscribe to and read several medical and industry publications, frequently attend conferences, shadow physical therapists and chiropractors to learn via the medical industry, and chose clients who are eager to learn new things.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Make sure the personal trainer you hire is certified by a standard agency. ACE, NSCA, ACSM, and NASM are the gold standard. The trainer you interview should also be interested in health history, including your injury background and other performance indicators. Finally, during your first workout, they should be assessing your movement patterns and asking alot of questions. Any trainer who asks you do to something that sounds weird and doesn't feel good, but can't tell you why you are doing it, should be questioned. Always ask "why", and always expect an answer that makes sense to you. The relationship is based on teaching you not only how to do an exercise, but why you are doing it.