CBS News recently ran a report on unqualified personal trainers and the fitness industry's lack of regulation:
While the report is obviously focusing on very extreme examples, it also sheds light on an unfortunate and frightening "dirty little secret": without industry-wide regulations concerning the training and education of personal trainers, there is absolutely no assurance of professionalism, knowledge or even safety when it comes to hiring a "fitness professional."
Think about that for a moment: right now as you read this there are literally thousands upon thousands of people across the country that have entrusted their health and safety in a group of "professionals" that probably know just slightly more about health and basic human physiology than the people that actually hired them...and that is a terribly scary thing.
So how can you tell a good trainer from a bad one? You can take a look at what I've written before about evaluating a trainer, and you can also check out what my friend (and excellent coach) Tony Gentilcore had to say about the subject on his blog at the Boston Herald
In the end, a fitness professional, just like any other professional, requires two basic qualities to be effective: knowledge of his/her field, and the ability to apply that knowledge. Until the fitness industry develops a standardization of knowledge-base and entry-level requirements, it will remain a terribly scary thing indeed.
***
On a more personal (and positive) note, congratulations to my best friend Rochelle: she was just accepted to the City University of New York's Ph.D. program in Speech and Hearing Sciences (where I am currently finishing my own clinical doctorate in physical therapy). She is one of the brightest and most gifted people that I know, and there was never a doubt in my mind that she wouldn't be accepted!
I'm SO proud of you, Rocks!
-Jonathan
Monday, April 14, 2008
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4 comments:
Wow, it’s interesting to know the extent of injuries bad personal trainers can cause. I was shocked to hear some of the interviews. But, to another topic, “Congrats, Rocky!”
It's a scary situation for sure, but what's the answer? Do we push for legislation? If so, how will new legislation affect personal trainers who have been in business for years?
Who is going to develop guidelines for a "mandatory" and meaningful certification?
Will if be economically feasible for a personal trainer to stay in business if he or she is forced to carry some sort of "malpractice" insurance?
I don't know the answers, but these and more questions need to be addressed. Both for the protection of people who are trying to get into better shape as well as all the excellent personal trainers who are working hard to keep us in shape.
Thanks for a thought-provoking post.
Shoulder Performance & Rehab
Sorry for my tardy response to this blog post. I thought that I had replied to this already but I guess not all us doctoral students are as smart as dear Jonathan =)
Thanks so much for the public adoration. It means a lot to me. You know that I couldn't have done half the things that I have done without you. So, I give you permission to give yourself a little pat on the back as well =) You have always been my role model.
Speaking of models - Hey Jenny, you sexy thang!! Thanks so much for the congrats! We are going to have to all celebrate together when Jon gets back from IN.
I know this is an older post, but my colleague just came across it.
I think that this video COMPLETELY discredits qualified personal trainers, which is going to lead to a worse public image of personal trainers in the fitness industry, lessening the likelihood of people hiring personal trainers. It is highly unlikely that after two sessions the personal trainer was the lone factor in her renal failure... probably the 40 plus years of her being obese and genetics led to that scenario. AND how did improper stretching lead to a stroke? ... also highly improbable. Did his trainer have him strech hanging upside down? I would need more details about HOW the stretching was done. The news could have went over proper stretching guidelines instead of completely discrediting a profession without providing correct ways to exercise and stretch.
I have my undergraduate degree in fitness and wellness management with a business minor, the NSCA's CSCS, a personal training certification, and am finishing up my masters degree in exercise physiology at the University of Kentucky.
I agree that there needs to be more regulation on who that is certified actually knows what they are talking about, but this news report should have interviewed college-educated trainers, not just the express certified trainers. I think this news report makes ALL trainers look worse when in fact it is just a handful of aweful trainers giving qualified personal trainers a horrible reputation. This news report should not have been so one-sided.
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