Spring is coming
Spring arrives this week although it is unusually cold and snowy in Vancouver the birds are chirping and spring is in the air. I can tell Spring is almost here by the unusual workouts I have been witnessing at the gym. Weird and wacky activities that have been brought to us by fitness magazines and experts... the type that prey on our body image insecurities and promise quick weight loss and tighter abs.
I have witnessed dangerous and downright deadly workout routines that leave me feeling distressed and dismayed. Occasionally, they even leave me questioning my choice of profession. While I understand that most people don't realize that their exercise practices may be dangerous. I also realize that most people don't understand enough about fitness to realize that they are being mislead by some "experts". These questionable exercise practices promoted by magazines, celebrities and so called fitness professionals should have some accountability, but we know now that the financial industry is not accountable, neither is government so why would we think anyone else would be accountable? It would be nice to think that if you are paying for expert advice you would get legitimate advice, but often that is not what happens. So how can you protect yourself and your health?
Ask for the following BASIC requirements of your fitness professional.
1. Certifications: Minimal requirement in BC - BCRPA. Best International Certifications - NSCA, ACSM.
2. Experience: Who is their clientele and how long have they been working with this group.
3. Insurance. A fitness professional can only get insurance if they are certified.
4. References. Do they have clients willing to provide testimonials.
5. Clients. Do they have long time clients? Are these clients you can relate to? Do their clients refer them to others?
6. Are they role models? Not only should they promote health and fitness they should promote lifelong health and fitness not the latest fad, supplement or gadget.
7. Can they explain why you are doing a particular exercise? Is it safe? Do they encourage you to exercise without them?
8. Do they assess your current fitness and health status before you begin an exercise program?
9. Does trainer assess your short term and long term goals and can they explain how you are working toward your goals.
10. Does your trainer explain how you should expect to feel after your workouts? Can they explain what you can expect as you progress? Do they progress through exercises slowly and safely?
These are minimal expectations. These are non- negotiable and should be easily addressed by any fitness professional.
There are many educated, professional, certified fitness professionals. People who care about your health and fitness. Individuals who believe in promoting safe exercises to the benefit of their clients. Health professionals that take pride in your success.
If your trainer offers unrealistic expectations, impossible workout routines and unsafe practices. It is time to find a new trainer. Don't take chances with your health and fitness. Demand the best and ask for qualifications. I have seen a lot of fitness fads come and go, but the fundamentals of fitness never change and never go out of style.
I have witnessed dangerous and downright deadly workout routines that leave me feeling distressed and dismayed. Occasionally, they even leave me questioning my choice of profession. While I understand that most people don't realize that their exercise practices may be dangerous. I also realize that most people don't understand enough about fitness to realize that they are being mislead by some "experts". These questionable exercise practices promoted by magazines, celebrities and so called fitness professionals should have some accountability, but we know now that the financial industry is not accountable, neither is government so why would we think anyone else would be accountable? It would be nice to think that if you are paying for expert advice you would get legitimate advice, but often that is not what happens. So how can you protect yourself and your health?
Ask for the following BASIC requirements of your fitness professional.
1. Certifications: Minimal requirement in BC - BCRPA. Best International Certifications - NSCA, ACSM.
2. Experience: Who is their clientele and how long have they been working with this group.
3. Insurance. A fitness professional can only get insurance if they are certified.
4. References. Do they have clients willing to provide testimonials.
5. Clients. Do they have long time clients? Are these clients you can relate to? Do their clients refer them to others?
6. Are they role models? Not only should they promote health and fitness they should promote lifelong health and fitness not the latest fad, supplement or gadget.
7. Can they explain why you are doing a particular exercise? Is it safe? Do they encourage you to exercise without them?
8. Do they assess your current fitness and health status before you begin an exercise program?
9. Does trainer assess your short term and long term goals and can they explain how you are working toward your goals.
10. Does your trainer explain how you should expect to feel after your workouts? Can they explain what you can expect as you progress? Do they progress through exercises slowly and safely?
These are minimal expectations. These are non- negotiable and should be easily addressed by any fitness professional.
There are many educated, professional, certified fitness professionals. People who care about your health and fitness. Individuals who believe in promoting safe exercises to the benefit of their clients. Health professionals that take pride in your success.
If your trainer offers unrealistic expectations, impossible workout routines and unsafe practices. It is time to find a new trainer. Don't take chances with your health and fitness. Demand the best and ask for qualifications. I have seen a lot of fitness fads come and go, but the fundamentals of fitness never change and never go out of style.
