Is it really a big deal that a Personal Trainer is certified? Yes, it is a big deal because certification stands for many things that Personal Trainers need to be before taking responsibility for someone else’s well-being, much more, the health of a whole group of people.
It may seem like an easy thing to gather people and just hook them up on an exercise routine or two and there are many who are just too eager to sign up especially if you’re offering sessions for free; but the truth is, there are a lot more things involved with personal training than just some physical activity that will promote weight loss.
Why is Certification important?
A Certification proves that the Personal Trainer is legitimate. It means that the Personal Trainer has sufficient knowledge, background, experience and most importantly, training to teach and oversee another person’s workout regimen.
Before someone is certified, he has to undergo classes, training and workshops where he will be taught the basics of anatomy and the science of human movement and exercise. Many fitness practitioners have even gone through four year courses to have attained the expertise that they have now.
You should be armed with sufficient knowledge in safety and technique measures before you can implement any workout plan on anyone. Otherwise, you can just be setting your client up for an irreversible injury.
As a Personal Trainer, you will be expected to know how to design a specific workout plan suitable for your client’s fitness capability and should be adept in identifying his fitness level based on his physical and medical records.
In bootcamps, you will meet all kinds of cases, including ones with medical concerns. Being certified means that you are armed with the knowledge and have the ability to handle such cases, work with medical consultants if needed, and can efficiently administer CPR and First Aid. You need to know what to do in cases of emergency.
You cannot always control the types of people who will register for your bootcamp but you should be equipped enough to know how to handle unexpected medical situations.
Another point of consideration is that as a Personal Trainer, you must have adequate knowledge on nutrition and diet because they go hand in hand with fitness. You need to make sure that your client is eating correctly and appropriately for his workout plan.
Being a Certified boot camp instructor also makes you eligible for Personal Trainer Insurance. Some things are inevitable; accidents may happen despite all the precautions that you have put up especially that you’re handling more than one person; having insurance defines how much accountability you have regarding your participants’ training and protects you from any liability and injury claim that you should not be held responsible for.
The Sydney Morning Herald recently published a story on a free bootcamp organized through social media:
NATALIE FULLER is one of an increasing number of people who are leaving gyms to keep fit with strangers outdoors – all organised through social media.
She said having a personal trainer was “costing me a fortune,” so she signed up for the free Sydney Fitness Boot Camp group at Hyde Park.
You can read more about it here.
Course providers approved by Fitness Australia are TAFFE, FIA, AIF and AIPT. If you are passionate about pursuing a career as a Personal Trainer, get yourself the proper education and training that you need and get certified.
All of Dangerously fit Personal Trainers hold Certificates 3 & 4 in Fitness, have Certifications in Senior First Aid and are insured for up $20,000,000 for public liability. To sign up for any of our bootcamps, log on to https://www.dangerouslyfit.com.au/