Personal trainers are certified fitness professionals who assess their clients' fitness needs and help them meet their goals. Some fitness trainers work at health clubs, while others work out of private studios or their clients' homes. Personal fitness trainers track and monitor their clients' progress. In addition to their fitness expertise, the top trainers are skilled at motivating their clients to engage in healthy lifestyle practices.
Function
Before devising an exercise program, personal trainers conduct various types of health and wellness assessments. They take their clients' health history to determine past injuries, chronic conditions and medications that might affect a client's workout. Postural assessments can help a trainer identify his or her client's muscular imbalances. All of these factors, as well as the client's health and fitness goals, help determine the type of workout a personal fitness trainer will devise.
Benefits
Personal fitness trainers optimize fitness programs design for their clients' goals and needs. They also optimize the time spent in an individual workout by monitoring their client's exercise form, alignment and technique.Trainers use motivational methods to enhance exercise compliance.
Warning
Some personal trainers are also certified in nutrition. Those who are not are unqualified to suggest dietary practices or recommend weight-loss supplements. In fact, in 1999 Crunch Fitness was slapped with a lawsuit when one of its trainers prescribed an ephedra-based supplement to one of his clients. The client was taking a high blood pressure medication, and died as a result of taking the supplement.
Qualifications
Personal trainers who work in fitness centers are required to be certified by a nationally recognized fitness organization. These include the American Council on Exercise, the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Trainers who work in a hospital-based fitness center might need to take the American College of Sports Medicine exam, which features technical information about heart disease and other chronic illnesses. Trainers can also opt to specialize in certain aspects of personal training, such as body building, sport conditioning and prenatal exercise. All trainers must take continuing education courses to maintain their certification.
Speculations
The 2010-2011 edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts a "much faster than average" growth of jobs in the fitness industry. "Much faster than average," according to its website, means a job increase of 20 percent or more. The authors of the handbook speculate that an overall concern for health and fitness will inspire parents to hire personal trainers for their children, and health clubs will offer more personalized service as a means of keeping their clients motivated.
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