What Is the Job of a Personal Trainer?

What Is the Job of a Personal Trainer?
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Personal trainers offer their services in fitness centers, country clubs, universities, hospitals and one-on-one with clients in the privacy of their homes. Personal trainers educate clients on the benefits of incorporating fitness into their daily lives. Personal trainers are an ideal choice for those who want to become fit but don't know how to start on their own.

Assessing Clients

A personal trainer meets with a client to learn about his exercise history and his level of fitness to determine where to start with his training program. Once the personal trainer has this information, she provides a customized, balanced fitness program specific to the client's fitness goals. A fitness program normally consists of cardiovascular and resistance training. During the assessment, the personal trainer may determine body composition and take body measurements to get a good idea of the client's body type and what he may need to work on.

Proper Workout Techniques

Personal trainers show their clients how to do different types of exercises and explain to clients how these exercises condition specific body parts. They also instruct clients on how to use exercise equipment properly. They provide instruction on using proper technique and form while executing exercise moves and using exercise equipment to help they avoid injury.

Nutritional Advice

Dispensing nutritional advice and diet guidance are other services personal trainers may provide for a client. They advise clients on what foods to avoid and what what foods to eat. They educate clients on proper meal plans that will help them meet their fitness goals; personal trainers inform clients about their daily caloric and other nutritional needs. The personal trainer is responsible for customizing a nutrition plan for the client.

Tracking Progress and Motivation

Personal trainers track their clients' progress to ensure their fitness program is working well and that fitness goals are being met. The trainer may make recommendations for modifications to a program when it is necessary.

Personal trainers help motivate clients by encouraging them to push themselves harder and increase their strength and endurance levels through consistent exercise. They prevent clients from becoming bored with exercise and hitting fitness plateaus by switching up exercise programs as needed.

References

Article reviewed by JEL Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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