Several years ago, while riding an exercise cycle at my fitness center, I overheard a conversation between a trainer and his client. He told his client that people who work out in the morning burn more calories. What?! Studies have found that people who work out in the morning are more successful NOT because they expend more calories, but because they tend to stick with their programs. And, because most people have more energy in the morning for a workout. But, the trainer simply said that people “burn more calories.”
Misinformation from trainers isn’t uncommon. And, I’m sure this guy didn’t purposely lie to his client – he just didn’t know what he was talking about. Although this instance wasn’t risky to the member, there have been quite a few cases where misinformation from trainers has resulted in injuries and even death.
While fitness center members are becoming more savvy about fitness advice, trainers themselves are taking action, too. A group of California personal trainers filed a class action lawsuit alleging that the organization that certified them was negligent (Superior Court of California, Alameda County, Case #RG05249097). These trainers claim that the organization provided defective training materials and inadequate instruction. The suit alleges that these trainers pose a risk to the public when using the methods endorsed in the certification materials.
The personal trainers received their certification through an Internet distance learning program. Program participants received a 42-page study guide and had to pass a 25-question test to earn their certification. Jeremy Thompson, the spokesperson for the group, said in a press release, “[The] materials were riddled with errors that can lead to serious injury when put into practice.” The suit claims that, by certifying the trainers, the company exposed the public to unsafe exercise practices, and the trainers to personal liability.
While this case may not result in any major changes within the industry, we all know of certifying agencies that offer certifications in just one weekend, or, as in this case, provide a certification after the applicant can answer 25 questions. If change is to occur in the industry, fitness centers need to require that their trainers are educated, certified and competent.
Are your trainers certified? Do you require them to have college degrees? Why or why not?
2 comments:
Do you have to be(by law) certified or have a certified person in staff in order to operate a gym/fitness center?
Hummer -
As of now, there are no legal or certification requirements for operating a fitness facility — and there are no legal or certification requirements for personal trainers or other fitness staff, either. There are, however, many degree programs for fitness facility operation and for various professions within the health/fitness field, and it is widely agreed upon that for the safety of fitness consumers, trainers and instructors should hold certification(s) from one or more of the more respected certifying agencies. This topic has been a source of ongoing discourse in the health/fitness industry, especially as it relates to the fitness industry imposing its own standards to help keep the quality of its professionals at a high level.
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