Trainer Trilogy Part 1

Going to the gym regularly I find myself dealing with trainers all of the time. At my particular gym I find that each trainer has various skills. Some trainers are more experienced, some are more professional and some are friendlier and more welcoming than others. All in all though, I am fortunate enough to be able to say that I have learned something new from every single trainer at my gym and that this has enhanced my personal workout and fitness.

As I focus in this week on personal trainers as part of the Trainer Trilogy of blog entries, I will break things down into 3 areas. I will begin today by focusing on what it takes to become a personal trainer. Then tomorrow I will take a look at what it takes to actually be a successful personal trainer. Finally, I will complete the trilogy with a look at personal trainer marketing. So let's begin...

When working towards becoming a personal trainer, your primary goal is to get certified, and better yet, to get the best certification you can. To do that you need to study hard. It also helps to be around the environment you're working in by gaining experience. This can be done by contacting gyms and asking about the possibility of interning there so that you can learn the ropes. Or you can simply attend a few classes as a gym member and learn that way by taking part and asking questions. You also have to bare in mind that you have to be committed to further success, and this means putting in the necessary work and going the extra mile. Finally, when you're ready, it's time to do the certification, pass the test and become a certified personal trainer.

In the UK, to become a personal trainer you need to be on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS). This is broken down into 4 levels. Most personal trainers will work their way up to level 3.

The 4 levels of registration on REPs are part of the following qualifications framework:

Level 1 Student

Student members are not yet qualified and must be supervised by a qualified member of staff. Level 1 can be taken by 14-year-olds upwards.

Level 2 can cover the following:

•Water Based Exercise
•Exercise to Music
•Gym

Level 3 can cover the following:

•Advanced Fitness Instruction
•Advanced Group Exercise to Music
•Exercise Movement & Dance Partnership Teacher (EMDP)
•Personal Training
•Pilates Teacher
•Yoga Teacher
•Exercise Referrals

Level 4 - Specialist Exercise Instructor

Level 4 is awarded to individuals who can demonstrate that they have met the Level 4 National Occupational Standards in one or more medical areas having completed and passing one of the following approved Level 4 qualifications:

•BACR Phase IV Exercise Instructor Training
•WRIGHT Foundation Cardiac Rehab Phase IV
•Later Life Training Postural Stability Instructor (PSI)
•Active IQ Certificate in Exercise for the Management of Lower Back Pain
•Queen Margaret University - Exercise after Stroke: Specialist Instructor Training
Course
•Remedial Instructor (Military Only)

There are various companies in the UK that you can get your personal trainer certification through. Premier Training at http://www.premierglobal.co.uk/courses offers Diploma in Personal Training courses for between £2750.00 and £3995.01. Future Fit at www.futurefit.co.uk offer the following courses and prices- Personal Trainer (£2,596), Advanced Personal Trainer (£3,924.50), Total Immersion! (£5,494), Complete Mat Pilates-Level 3 Award (£1,419.50), Nutrition Specialist (£1,153), Studio Professional (£1,134), and Advanced Studio Professional (£2,279). And Discovery Learning offer you the opportunity to become one of the UK's first Exercise and Obesity Specialists through their Level 4 course. Further information is available via Leisure Jobs at http://www.leisurejobs.com/jobprofile-275087.html

Note that none of the aforementioned fitness training companies are endorsements and various others can be found online. Also note that Level 2 training may be eligible for UK government funding whereas Level 3 training and beyond is not.

In the US there are various well-known accredited companies that provide fitness certification. Examples include the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) at http://www.nasm.org/getcertified/ NESTA at http://www.nestacertified.com/ and the Aerobics And Fitness Association Of America at http://www.afaa.com/ . To be eligible you must have current Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certification.

So you've somehow managed to find money to pay for the course, done the work to get through the certification and passed the test. You are now a personal trainer. Now the real journey begins...

To Be Continued...