Most private and public health and fitness facilities have policies and procedures they expect their personal trainers to follow. While these policies and procedures will vary slightly, there are some common expectations of trainers that most businesses will share. There are numerous important responsibilities that trainers must embrace, including the handling of duties specific to their facility, building and maintaining healthy client relationships and continuing their own educational development.
Duties
A personal trainer's required duties include the development and maintenance of an appropriate training program for each client. The program should include safe exercises tailored to each client. Trainers must monitor their clients during workouts to ensure they're completing each exercise safely and correctly, and that they are using the appropriate intensity of weight. Most locations will require the trainer to begin each training program with fitness tests, which are repeated six to eight weeks later to monitor and record progress. Some locations will have the trainer handle the collection of payments from clients and set training appointments.
Expectations
Personalities of personal trainers will be different, but most locations expect their trainers to be positive and enthusiastic so that clients are motivated and look forward to attending training sessions. Showing up on time and prepared for appointments is essential. Some locations will require trainers to complete other work when not training, such as cleaning equipment and seeing that equipment works as needed.
Certifications and Education
All locations will require their personal trainers to possess current CPR, first aid and AED -- automated external defibrillator -- certifications. The amount of education or level of certification required will vary, with some sites expecting trainers to possess or be working toward a nationally recognized certification program from establishments such as the American Council on Exercise, the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Considerations
A personal trainer's education is never complete. Improvements in understanding the human body and new discoveries in regards to training occur consistently. Most notable personal training certifications require trainers to complete continuing education credits to ensure they keep up with the latest in the fitness world.
Member Comments