An exercise and fitness professional, such as a personal trainer or group exercise instructor, must perform his function according to a code of ethics. This code provides a moral foundation for ongoing fitness and exercise practices and procedures. Codes of ethics help guide your behavior and provide a tool for dealing with moral exercise and fitness issues or dilemmas.
Egalitarian
An exercise and fitness code of ethics includes egalitarianism, the belief in human equality. According to the American Council on Exercise, exercise and fitness professionals, including personal trainers, must provide equal and fair treatment to all clients. Trainers and other fitness and exercise administrators must respect the rights, welfare of all individuals while avoiding favoritism and discrimination. You should not discriminate against exercise and fitness clients or patients based on race, color, national origin, religion or any other basis that constitutes illegal discrimination.
Confidentiality
Exercise and fitness professionals must protect confidentiality of client and patient information. Clients or patients may give you personal medical, performance and demographic information. Maintain the confidentiality of these records by keeping them in a safe and secure file. Neglect and intentional misuse of this information violates an exercise and fitness code of ethics. You may only release this information with patient or client approval, and in accordance with applicable government regulations.
Certification And Knowledge
An exercise and fitness code ethics requires that exercise and fitness professionals recognize the boundaries his competencies and expertise. According to BLS.gov, most fitness and exercise professionals must have certification. Employers may require that exercise and fitness professionals hold a bachelor's degree in a fields that include exercise science or physical education. These professionals should also participate in continuing education activities and maintain current scientific knowledge that is relevant to the fitness and exercise services that you provide.
Judgment
You must exercise careful judgment as an exercise or fitness professional. Keep clients and patients safe when using equipment and other from other environmental factors. Evaluate an individual's condition thoroughly before taking on a new client or patient and before each fitness or exercise session. Seek medical clearance before giving recommendations to clients or patients with risk factors like hypertension or diabetes. Protect your clients and patient by ensuring they get adequate rest between exercise and fitness sessions, and giving recommendations that do not over work the body.
Responsibility
Assume responsibility for your exercise and fitness roles. Do not misrepresent your competency. Accept responsibility for your judgment and do not mislead colleagues, patients or clients. Get tested if you have a reason to believe that you may be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus or other infections that you can transfer to clients, patients, associates or coworkers. Cover any lesions or open wounds that may expose you to infections that you may inadvertently pass to others.
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