My last post dealt with how to shop for a personal trainer and the first key thing to look for is a fitness/exercise related degree.

Another thing to look for is:

Certification

    There are a ton of different certifications out there and some are exetremely easy to attain.  Some gyms offer their own certification.  certifications can be obtained by taking a course online.  I have even seen some trainers put down certifications that do not even exist.  but since there is no regulatory agency to define the quality of a certification, it is up to you (the consumer) to do some research.

 I will help you out by naming some very creditable organizations who offer personal training certifications. you are also encouraged to check out the websites for these organizations. Continue reading "Buyer Beware Cont’d"

Obviously I am an advocate of using a personal trainer to help you reach your fitness goals whatever they may be, but there are a lot of trainers out there with little or no business taking someone’s health or fitness into their hands. 

The problem is that there is no independent regulatory agency for personal trainers.  This means that any idiot can call himself/herself a  personal trainer. 

There are a lot of scam artists out there, and I have run into a few of them personally.  It may take a little leg work, but before you spend any money, find out what you are really paying for. 

My next few blogs will highlight the most important things you should know before working with a personal trainer.

Key things to look for when shopping for a personal trainer.

1. Education-  Find out where he/she went to school.  make sure the degree is in a health and exercise related field. 

Good degrees to have would be Physical Education, Athletic Training, Exercise Science or physiology, etc.  They key here is that you want someone who has been around fitness and exercise for a long time, has an obvious interest in the field, and makes health and fitness part of their own lifestyle.

 My next post will look at what certifications to look for and how to spot a fake.