Licensing and Certification Standards for Personal Trainers
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One complicated and controversial issue in fitness today is licensing and certification for personal trainers. A handful of state legislatures have introduced bills to establish personal trainer licensing or certification standards over the past two years. However, as of December 2009, none of these bills have yet been passed.
To put it another way, there are no standardized state or federal laws that regulate personal trainers at this time. The only way to determine whether or not a trainer is right for you is to ask a lot of questions and get referrals if possible. If still unsure, you might consider hiring a personal trainer employed by a well known gym. At a larger gym, if you don’t feel the trainer is working well for you, there is very likely another trainer available.
There are many different local and national organizations that certify personal trainers. Each organization has its own set of standards for certification. Some are as simple as taking a written exam from home, while others require considerable coursework as well as both a written and practical exam. Once you know which (if any) certifications a trainer has obtained, you can find out what these credentials actually mean in education and experience.
It is possible that a trainer may not be certified in this fashion, but still be highly qualified. Some may have a two or four year fitness-related degree from an accredited university. In these cases, additional certification may be unnecessary.
Before you begin your search for a trainer, it is important for you to give some consideration to your own goals for personal training. Then, you can seek out trainers who have knowledge in those areas. For instance, a trainer may have considerable experience in bodybuilding or sports training. If you are a bodybuilder or athlete, this is just the sort of trainer you will want to see. However, if you are obese and looking to safely exercise to improve your physical condition, a bodybuilder may not be the ideal trainer for your needs.
Many personal trainers provide dietary advice as well as training in exercise. If you’re interested in a personal trainer who can work with you to create a complete diet and exercise program, it would be wise to inquire about their education as it pertains to nutrition.
It is important that you disclose any illnesses or medical conditions you may have to a prospective trainer. Both you and the trainer will benefit from knowing about any physical problems or old injuries that may crop up during the course of your training. Ideally, the personal coach you choose should have some background and knowledge about the specific health concerns that you are facing.
There is a push among many fitness professionals and organizations to unify standards for physical training certification. These individuals are lobbying for states to recognize the exams created by the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) and other certifications accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) as qualifying factors for state or national certification. Perhaps in the future, these laws will become a reality. For now, however, it is up to you to do your own due diligence about the person you hire.
After all, it is your body you are trying to improve – it pays to be as certain as possible that the person who will be assisting and motivating you is fully qualified for the job.
T-Squared Vancouver Personal Training offers services including diet, nutrition, exercise plans, and general instruction in health and wellness. The focus is providing personal and professional services that get you results. Powered by SEO 2.0 Optimization Services
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