Licensing and certification of personal trainers is a complicated and controversial issue. Over the past two years, a handful of state legislatures have introduced bills to establish personal trainer licensing or certification standards. As of December 2009, however, none of these have passed.
In other words, there are no standardized state or federal laws that regulate personal trainers at this time. The only way to determine whether or not a trainer is right for you is to ask a lot of questions and get referrals if possible. If still unsure, you might consider hiring a personal trainer employed by a well known gym. At a larger gym, if you don’t feel the trainer is working well for you, there is very likely another trainer available.
There are several local and national organizations that certify personal trainers. Each organization has its own set of requirements for certification. Some are as simple as taking a written exam from home, while others require extensive training as well as both a written and practical exam. Once you know which (if any) certifications a trainer has earned, you can find out what these credentials translate to in education and experience.
Not every qualified trainer is certified through one of these organizations. Some may have a two or four year fitness-related degree from an accredited university. In this case, they may not need additional certification.
Before you begin your search for a trainer, you should give some thought to your own goals for personal training. Then, you can seek out trainers who have knowledge in those areas. For instance, a trainer may have considerable experience in bodybuilding or sports training. If you are a bodybuilder or athlete, this trainer may be a good fit for you. However, if you are obese and looking to safely exercise to improve your physical condition, a bodybuilder may not be the ideal trainer for your needs.
Many personal trainers offer dietary advice as well as training in exercise. If you’re interested in a personal trainer who can work with you to create a complete diet and exercise program, it would be wise to inquire about their education as it pertains to nutrition.
It is important that you disclose any illnesses or medical conditions you may have to a prospective trainer. Both you and the trainer will benefit from knowing about any physical problems or old injuries that may crop up during the course of your training. Ideally, the personal coach you choose should have some background and experience pertaining to your specific health concerns.
There is a push among many fitness professionals and organizations to unify standards for physical training certification. They are lobbying at the state and national level for the exams created by the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) and other certifications accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) to become recognized as qualifying factors for legal certification. Perhaps in the future, these laws will become a reality. For now, however, it is up to you to do your own due diligence about the person you hire.
After all, it is your own body that you are trying to improve. It pays for you to be as certain as possible that the person who will be assisting and motivating you is fully qualified for the job.
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