A Biography Of A Personal Trainer

Personal trainers’ biographies are as diverse as those in any other profession, so when choosing a trainer you should look for someone who inspires you and that you relate to. You should feel comfortable being honest with your trainer about what is going on in both your body and your mind. You should also enjoy your sessions. The best trainer for you might be the one in whose footsteps you would like to follow, or the one who has a background like yours.

History

Personal training is still a budding industry. According to the “Complete Book of Personal Training,” the concept of the fitness professional selling individualized exercise programs didn’t appear until the late 1970s. These early trainers were a mix of exercise physiologists, fitness nuts using their experiences to help others achieve similar results, and some savvy entrepreneurs and swindlers riding the wave of a rising trend. In 1988, the International Sports Sciences Association provided the first standards of knowledge and best practices, offering the first fitness certifications.

Types

Personal trainers generally fall into two categories: those who have always been fit and those who have become fit. Trainers who have always been fit were athletic children and have participated or still participate in high-level competitive sports. These trainers have a great deal of technical knowledge and experience to draw on, especially within their niche. If your goal is to improve your skill and conditioning for competitive sports, look for this type of trainer. The trainer who has become fit has undergone an inspiring lifestyle change and got into the industry to help others do the same. While the “before and after” trainer might not have the rock-hard body of a fitness model, her greatest strength is her empathy for overweight, aging or sedentary clients who want to improve their quality of life, not peak performance.

Certifications

The United States has no single governing body to standardize the quality of professional trainers. Some laws prevent anyone on the gym floor from selling services as a personal trainer without a certification. However, liability insurance doesn’t cover uncertified trainers, and most fitness facilities require some certification to practice in their facility. The American College of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine are the industry’s gold standard certifications. Other recognized certifications include NSCA, ISSA, ACE and AFAA, or a degree in an exercise-related field. Although the certifying associations offer workshops and classes, the only certification requirements are a passing score on the certification exam and yearly continuing education credits.

Skill

Interpersonal skills are just as important as technical knowledge in personal training. Your trainer needs to understand both your body and your mind to achieve maximum results. New Zealand personal training consultant Ish Cheyne points out that new trainers divide their attention among fewer clients and must treat their clients well to build their business. Whether you want your trainer to be a drill sergeant or your best friend, she should educate, motivate and inspire you.