Personal training

A personal trainer demonstrating proper use of a Bosu ball.

A personal trainer is a fitness professional who develops and implements an individualized approach to physical fitness, generally working one-on-one with a client. A trainer may also help an individual assess their level of physical fitness and help them work toward a personal fitness goal through proper exercise instruction and personal motivation. The scope of practice for personal trainers is to enhance the components of fitness for the general, healthy population. The 5 classic components of fitness are muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility, although there are other subsets like power and speed. The general population is defined as an age range of 18 to about 50 (45 and younger for males, 55 and younger for females). The definition of healthy in this context means an absence of a disease that would affect one's ability to exercise. Anyone outside that scope of practice should be placed in a trainer's scope after a visit to the doctor to see what kind, if any, exercise they are capable of.

1 Job Overview
2 Regulations and Training
3 References
4 See also

Job Overview

Many personal trainers work through local fitness centers and health clubs, assisting clients within the facility. Others may be available for sessions in a clients home, or serve as instructors for fitness classes. Trainers are generally needed to demonstrate various exercises and help clients improve their exercise techniques. Due to the more interpersonal contact between a trainer and a client versus a general gym setting, a trainer is more readily able to provide motivation and support to an individual in an exercise program, in addition to proper technical instruction. A trainer can keep records of their clients’ exercise sessions to help monitor progress, and may also advise their clients on how to modify their lifestyle outside of the gym to improve their fitness. In 2006, fitness workers in general were employed in about 235,000 jobs, with a portion of those being trainers. Almost all personal trainers and group exercise instructors worked in physical fitness facilities, health clubs, and fitness centers, mainly in the amusement and recreation industry or in civic and social organizations.¹ One of the fastest-growing fields of fitness training is corporate fitness. Many large companies are beginning to offer fitness packages for employees wishing to create or maintain a healthy exercise program.²

Regulations and Training

Trainers are usually required to have certification before beginning work in a club or facility. Most certifying organizations require candidates to have a high school diploma, be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)³, and pass an exam.⁴ The type of fitness discipline will determine the level and amount of education and training that is needed. There are many different agencies and organizations that offer certification for personal trainers, such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine,The Cooper Institute, The School of Exercise, Training & Science, American College of Sports Medicine,and the American Council on Exercise in addition to other gyms organizations.

In addition to certification and safety responsibilities, successful personal trainers must often have a high level of verbal communication skills, a solid understanding of marketing, and a grasp of the sales skills necessary to grow their fitness business. Some personal trainers not possessing these skills may find it difficult to acquire the number of private clients necessary to sustain a full-time earning.

References

^ http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm
^ http://exercise.about.com/cs/forprofessionals/a/personaltrainer_3.htm
^ NASM Requirements for Certification http://www.nasm.org/certification/default.aspx?id=280&ekmensel=c580fa7b_10_0_280_3
^ http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm