Finding the right personal trainer

Wed., Oct. 26, 2005

Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S. King Features Syndicate

Q: I am interested in hiring a personal trainer to help me develop a fitness program. I have diabetes and want to make sure the trainer is educated on my condition and needs. I used a personal trainer many years ago, but she was a family friend. How do I know if a personal trainer is qualified to train someone with my condition?

A: Hiring a personal trainer is an important investment, and there are many factors to consider before making a decision. Education, experience, personality and professionalism are all areas that should be investigated before agreeing to become a client. The goal is to find a qualified, motivating and professional trainer who can help you reach your fitness goals in a safe and sensible manner.

• The education and certifications of the trainer you choose are extremely important. Do not let the appearance of a trainer give you the impression that he or she is educated and equipped to train you. And just because someone was a professional bodybuilder or professional athlete does not mean they have the knowledge to safely design and implement an exercise program.

• It is preferred that your trainer have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree in an exercise-science field (kinesiology, athletic training, physiology, etc.), in addition to a fitness-industry certification.

• There are hundreds of certifications that are available to aspiring personal trainers — however, not all are created equal. Four certifications highly recognized by the fitness industry are the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). All four require proof of prerequisite education, CPR and first aid certification, and a passed proctored examination before granting certification.

These certifications also test the trainer’s knowledge on working with clients with medical conditions and with special populations, plus the code of ethics within the fitness industry, confidentiality procedures and professional conduct. Continuing education credits are also required to maintain certification.

• Your trainer should be open to discuss his or her education and certifications. If you receive a response that implies that education or certifications are not necessary because of his or her experience, I would consider that a red flag.

• Ask your potential trainer about his or her experience with training diabetics. Even if someone is educated and certified, hiring a trainer that has specific experience in this area can be very beneficial. By law, personal trainers can give basic nutrition guidelines, but are not able to design meal plans or sell or suggest the usage of supplements. Unless your trainer also has a degree and training in nutrition, I would suggest meeting with a dietician or nutritionist to discuss your needs as a diabetic.

• Finally, let’s not underestimate the need for you to feel comfortable and enjoy the personality and attitude of your trainer. Your trainer should help establish realistic goals and encourage and motivate you along the way. He or she should be open to feedback and take your needs into consideration when designing a fitness program.

It may seem like work to find a trainer with all these attributes, but I believe the investment in your health is worth it.

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