A personal trainer is not a medical practitioner. The International Sports Science Association defines a personal trainer as someone "who educates and trains clients in the performance of safe and appropriate exercises to effectively lead their clients to optimal health."
Designing Exercise Programs
A personal trainer has the knowledge and understanding to design exercise programs to meet a client's needs. To design a program, the trainer must know exercise physiology, biomechanics and anatomy --- essentially, body structure and how the body works, functions and moves. Personal trainers are also required to know many exercises and how to perform them correctly.
Health History Questionnaire
A personal trainer has the client fill out a health history questionnaire before starting a training program. If there are any "red flags," such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or diabetes, it is necessary to refer the client to a medical practitioner to get a medical release.
Fitness Assessments
A personal trainer will perform many fitness assessments on a client to determine fitness level, such as a run/walk, cycling, swimming, push-up and sit-up test. If the client has coronary artery disease, a medical professional will perform a graded exercise test on a treadmill, bike or climbing machine to check for cardiac abnormalities.
Emergency Procedures
First aid and CPR are requirements for a personal trainer. Working with clients cannot occur without these certifications. If a client develops an injury during a training session, the trainer can treat it with standard first aid, then recommend the client to a proper medical professional. The trainer cannot attempt to diagnose an injury, treat a medical or health condition nor dispense or prescribe any medications. This includes over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen. It is important that personal trainers remain within the scope or practice of exercise training and healthy lifestyle analysis with clients.
References
- "Fitness: The Complete Guide": Carpinteria, C.A., Hatfield, Frederick C. 2010 International Sports Science Association
- American Council on Exercise: Personal Trainer Certification
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