Here is a related article to the studies I mentioned I will find the actual studies for you though....
A few years ago personal training was considered an expensive luxury that only celebrities could afford. Today, more and more middle class people are using the help of professional trainers. A good trainer will make your workout more fun, increase motivation, set goals, track your progress, avoid injuries, help you get results faster, and make the whole process more comfortable and convenient. Personal trainers are also good resources for the latest information on health and fitness.
Choosing the right trainer for your needs can be a challenge. A recent survey found that there are over 62,000 personal trainers working in the United States. Unlike many other health professionals, personal trainers are not required by law to possess a license to practice. While there are about 200 certifying organizations in the United States, not all certifying agencies are the same. Some of them provide a comprehensive education and set high standards for certification. Others, just offer a weekend workshop or home study course. These provide very limited knowledge and skills for the future fitness professional. Testing levels can also vary greatly from one certifying agency to another. Therefore, being a "certified personal trainer" does not provide the credential to be a fully qualified and competent fitness professional.
Studies have been conducted to assess the possible relationship between formal education, type of certifying organization, and level of knowledge. One group of researchers identified 13 core courses that they considered important in preparing a personal trainer. These include anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition, and injury prevention. They conducted their study in the southwestern states from 1992 to 1995 and found that only those trainers certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) had completed an average of 74% of those courses. Fitness knowledge was the highest among the ACSM-certified trainers, whereas the NSCA-certified trainers were the most knowledgeable in the area of strength training. Both the ACSM and NSCA are non-profit organizations whose missions are to promote scientific research, education, and practical application of exercise science to enhance physical performance, fitness, and health.
Most recently, a survey was done by a group of researchers in southern California. They examined the relationship between commonly used indicators of knowledge in the five areas of nutrition, health screening, testing protocols, exercise prescription, and general training knowledge regarding special populations. The study revealed that a bachelor's degree in the field of exercise science, and possession of ACSM or NSCA certifications were strong predictors of a personal trainer's knowledge, whereas years of experience were not related to knowledge. Researchers concluded the fact that an individual who has worked for years as a personal trainer, or has met a minimum standard for passing a certification exam should not be taken as proof of competence in designing a safe and optimal fitness program. Although many believe that practical experience is key, the results of this study showed that formal education is a far better predictor of a personal trainer's knowledge than years of experience. In addition, this study shows that certification by the ACSM or NSCA is associated with much higher levels of knowledge than certification from any other organization, or even certification from several other organizations.
Before you hire a personal trainer, the NSCA recommends that you take the time to conduct an interview to find one that best fits your needs, goals, and personality. Start by asking a few basic questions. Does the trainer have a fitness related degree? and/or Is the trainer certified by a nationally recognized organization such as the ACSM or NSCA? The results of current studies suggest that trainers who have a college degree and are certified by the ACSM or NSCA scored an average of 85% on the Fitness Instructor Knowledge Assessment, compared with only 36% for those who don't have a college degree and certification from the ACSM or NSCA.
Other questions to ask are: Is the trainer CPR and AED certified? Does the trainer have liability insurance? Does the trainer conduct testing to evaluate your current fitness level, or perform a health screening?
A personal trainer should begin by learning about your past or current medical conditions. The trainer may also conduct fitness tests to determine a safe and effective exercise program, and set reasonable short and long-term goals. These fitness tests may be repeated every few months to assess your progress and modify your exercise prescription.
Make sure that your trainer is listening to you. Your trainer should design a program to work towards your goals, and should motivate you without intimidating you or pushing you beyond your limits. Your trainer should be prepared with a plan for each workout session. Just taking you through a line of machines and counting repetitions is not worth the money you are paying. A workout plan should show that your trainer understands your limitations, needs, and goals.
People use trainers for many different reasons. Your trainer should have experience and expertise in working with people whose goals or medical conditions are similar to yours. For instance, if you have a heart disease it would be a good idea to find a trainer who has experience working in a cardiac rehabilitation center. You may ask your doctor to recommend a trainer who specializes in working with people who have a condition similar to yours. Other ways to find a trainer are to search web sites such as
www.respond.com,
www.acsm.org or
www.nsca-lift.org. You can conduct a free search of personal trainers in your area listing their credentials, education, experience, fees, and other information. Don't forget to ask about fees and cancellation policies. A trainer should provide you with a written copy of all policies on fees, scheduling, and cancellations. Fees may vary depending on area, length of the session, and the trainer's experience. A higher fee is not always an indicator of a better trainer. Some trainers offer discounts for packages or prepaid sessions.
Don't choose your fitness professional by appearance. Just because he or she is in good physical shape does not mean that he/she can help you to achieve similar results. Assumptions like "he has only 5 percent of body fat, so he has to know something" can be misleading. Some trainers may be slim because they are spending hours working out in the gym every day; or are consuming huge amounts of supplements, which may have numerous side effects. Finally, you should feel comfortable, and get along well, with your trainer. A trainer's personality is important. For most people who struggle to find an hour two times a week to exercise, the concept of becoming a "gym rat" is not acceptable. The goal of the trainer should be to maximize the efficiency of your workouts and to help you to get in the best shape while spending the least amount of time exercising.
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