Personal trainers are certified fitness professionals that work one-on-one or in a group setting with their clients. You can consider a personal trainer as your private coach who will educate you about health, exercise and nutrition. Personal trainers asses the risks and plan a safe exercise and, in some cases also a dietary program, build specifically for their clients. Personal trainers can help motivate, improve exercise routines and help their clients to achieve their fitness and weight loss goals.
First Session With a Personal Trainer
The first assessment a personal trainer should do is to interview the client about his lifestyle, including nutrition, stress and activity levels. Based on the answers and exercise goals, the personal trainer will plan a fitness program that fits the client's needs and goals. The plan should be build around exercises that are enjoyable and suitable for the schedule of the client. This improves the client's motivation and the probability that he will stick with the exercise plan. In case of underlying health concerns, personal trainers might advice the client to consult his doctor about the fitness plan. After the first session, the client and trainer may only meet ones or twice to get started with the exercise program or meet on regular basis.
Personal Trainer and Exercise
Probably the most common job for a personal trainer is to educate their clients about weight training and aerobic exercise routines. Personal trainers will teach how to do exercises correctly and how to prevent or reduce the risk of injuries. They will also teach how to use the different exercise machines at the gym and how to work all the major muscles of the body. Personal trainers can also help plan aerobic exercise programs for their clients including jogging or bicycling workouts.
Personal Trainer and Nutrition
Although personal trainers may educate their clients about nutrition, this is generally a job for a dietitian. However, some personal trainers may be qualified to give advice in dieting and nutrition. This includes educating clients about healthy foods and how to analyze calorie requirements. Personal trainers may create diet plans for their clients and teach how to count calories for most effective weight loss.
Personal Trainer Certification
Several associations offer certified personal trainer, or CPT, certifications. Only some of these are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council -- DETC -- or by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies -- NCCA. The education background of CPTs differ considerably, depending where they required their certification. You should keep this in mind when looking for a personal trainer or if planning on becoming certified as one.
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