WHAT YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER DOESN'T TELL YOU

If you are considering using a Personal Trainer; read this first! The holidays are coming and so are incentives at Gyms!

Prerequisites for acquiring a Personal Training Certification vary. Most cannot agree as to which if any are better than the next certification program. Plenty will argue about each and want to believe that theirs is better than the next trainers. (Especially, if they paid more for it!)
Gym's and other fitness facilities offer a variety of training programs to their members. As a member of a facility, most people assume that the person they are going to purchase sessions from hold some sort of valid education. That is NOT always the case! Do not go merely on the assumption that the "club knows best." Some clubs provide only their own training to their trainers. A certification for Personal Training can equate to $500.00 and an on-line exam. Is that enough? Not, for me it isn't! Others boost of how many years they have been teaching and or working in gyms and clubs. What does that mean? How much human error is a stake? Plenty! I have observed more trainers walking around with their clipboards taking notes and walking their clients from machine to machine. Since plenty of certifications don't teach how to use the particular equipment are we to assume that the trainers are teaching from their own personal knowledge base? I think so. Certifications are not the same as college degrees in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Bio-Mechanics, Life-Science etc. You get my point!
If a trainer is teaching from what they have been doing themselves and what they learned in a text on their own; how can it enable them to work with specific populations of clients that may have a variety of different needs? Most cannot! Why won't they tell you spot on about their training and education? Because, most often times, there is nothing to discuss. Why won't gym/clubs tell you? Well, if they told you...would you still make the purchase? Consider the fact that weight loss and health is a multi-million dollar a year business. Are you feeding into it? Are you benefiting from it? Or are you just buying into another trend? Are you being safeguarded against injuries?
Some gyms use the availability of Personal Training as an incentive to join the gym/club. This may be a good reason but, be aware of the sells pitch and the over complicated routines. In part, the trainers and the gyms/clubs may try to convince you that you need the fancy, expensive equipment in order for your workout routines to be effective. This is not true! Remember that the principles of exercise are simple and have not really ever changed. Do not let your trainer sell you on quick fads such as medicine balls, kettle bells, Pilate's reformers etc. These are great to change up routines with and avoid becoming bored. However, they are not essential. There is no need to complicate something that is really so simple.
Having a personal trainer is very effective if you find the right trainer. A trainer that will listen to your needs and understand them as well. A trainer that is well educated and has a background in Exercise Science or a college degree that taught them about the functionality of the human body is always a plus. A good trainer will provide education, support, motivation, and advice. Do yourself a favor and make sure the advice you are paying for is coming from an educated source. Not someone that is looking for a pay incentive.