Certified personal trainers work with a few clients at a time, guiding them through exercises and motivating them to work harder to achieve their fitness goals. Certified fitness class teachers, often called group exercise instructors, lead a large group of people through a program of exercises. Common programs include dance-based aerobics or indoor cycling, which center around stationary bicycles. Water aerobics classes, Pilates and yoga are suitable classes for people who can’t handle high-impact exercises.
Function
Certifying agencies offer personal trainer classes and certifications and many also offer group exercise instructor certification. The difference between the two types of certifications and the training they entail varies among agencies. Proper certification is important because in its absence, it is difficult to discern whether a personal trainer or group exercise instructor is truly able to handle instructing. For instance, if a trainer does not know how to tell when a client is injured and needs to slow down, that trainer might push the client to continue exercising, worsening the injury.
Personal Trainers
In general, personal trainer classes focus on developing an ability to design custom workouts based on a client’s specific needs, such as rehabilitation, weight loss or strength training. To do this, personal trainers must know a wide variety of exercises and their effect upon human physiology. Also, personal trainers must be able to occasionally ramp up the intensity level of an exercise program to push their clients to new levels of fitness and avoid plateaus in rates of progress.
Group Exercise Instructors
The training of group exercise instructors concentrates on how to design large-scale programs that suit many clients and match the needs of the gym. Group exercise instructors also benefit from certification in a particular exercise discipline. Pilates instructors, for example, should have specialized training in the fundamental movements and goals of the discipline. Fitness class instructors should also be able to tailor different programs to various ability levels, from beginner to intermediate.
Types
Certifying agencies vary in repute and requirements, so not all certifications are equal. The American Council on Exercise is a well-respected organization that offers various types of certification. To earn the council’s certification, you must demonstrate proficiency in recognizing risk factors in clients, understanding nutrition basics, instructional techniques and other aspects of fitness instruction. The American College of Sports Medicine also offers training for fitness experts. You can order study materials, attend workshops and take tests to earn your certification. If you plan to work at a specific gym, ask which certifying agencies they recognize to ensure you don’t waste time getting a meaningless certification. Otherwise, choose the certifying agency that enjoys the best reputation in the particular area of fitness in which you are interested.
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