Pete RohlederI’d like you to consider the following scenario:
Your car needs some work done because it hasn’t been running well lately. You take it to an auto mechanic, and he pops the hood. He says to you, “yeah, I’m not sure what that spinning thing is, or what that thing is with the wires coming out of it, but I’ll figure it out and get this car running great for you.”
What do you do? Let him work on our car, even though it’s obvious he doesn’t fully understand the ins and outs of an engine?
It’s a no brainer, right?? You find someone more qualified to work on your precious baby.
Then why do we chance our physical well-being to “fitness professionals” who may be similarly unqualified like the mechanic above?
I like money and I know how to use it. Does that qualify me to be your banker or investor? I hope not.
If you’re paying someone to help you, you are trusting that they understand all the complexities of your body and can develop the most appropriate training program to maximize your goals. Sadly, and far too often, this is not the case. I’ve seen countless fitness professionals over the years who aren’t qualified to train at the level they claim to be. Most don’t recognize their limits and address issues that are outside of their scope of knowledge or experience. Experience is essential to develop in a field, and I would never downplay its importance, but it must be more than that.
Effective physiological changes, such as weight loss or muscle-building, requires a knowledge of the systems of the body to efficiently and safely accomplish such transformations. Working with a qualified fitness professional can be the best way to start or improve your fitness and health, as well as achieve your goals.
I understand how difficult finding someone to work with can be and how it can cause frustration and stress. It’s an investment of both time and money, and you want it to be a sound investment. So with that in mind, I have created a little “cheat sheet” of questions for you to ask to help you determine the best candidate for you.
If you are currently a Fitness Professional, consider these points, so you can elevate your professionalism and offer your clients the best experience you can provide.
#1: Are they certified?
There are hundreds of certifications out there, and keeping tabs on them can be difficult.
Lucky for you, the industry has taken some significant steps to make sure we have qualified pros out there. In 1987, The Institute for Credentialing Excellence created the National Commission for Certifying Agencies to keep industry standards high.1 For the fitness industry, there are a few NCCA accredited certifications to look for:
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
Some of the certifications require degrees in the field and are the highest regarded certifications. If your candidate has one (or more) of these, it’s a good start. If they have degrees or advanced degrees specific to the field, even better! If in doubt, ask, “Is your certification NCCA accredited?”
#2: What are their specialties?
As fitness professionals, we should be qualified to work with most people. However, if you have specific goals, it might be wise to find someone with experience or certifications in that area.
If your goal is to improve a specific athletic performance, working with the trainer who specializes in aging adult fitness might not be the best fit. Finding a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist who has expertise in performance-based training might suit you better.
#3: Ask them to discuss their approach to training and what you can expect.
First, if they don’t mention an assessment of some kind, WALK AWAY. How can they prescribe a specific training program for you if they know nothing about your current health, training status, ability, strengths, and weaknesses? It’s a liability for them, but ultimately for you, as you may not see the results you are seeking.
Furthermore, ask them how they would approach training you to achieve your specific goal. Do they create a unique, individualized program for you, or do they use the cookie-cutter approach, i.e., the same plan for all their clients? I would even ask to see one of their other client’s workout sheets to see how it’s organized and to see if they chart progress at all.
#4: Ask them personal questions
You’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person, and in some cases, they can become one of your closest confidants.
One of the keys to achieving your goals while working with a fitness professional is having a good relationship. You probably won’t stick around if you loathe the person. The only way to find out is to ask questions. Is she genuine? Is he service-centered? Does she match your personality, or does her personality conflict with yours? Has he taken the time to ask specific questions about you and your life? Does she seem to want to get to know you? Do you feel like a person or just another client? How they respond to you will tell a lot.
One thing I loved is when a client asked, “Why should I work with you?” It’s such a great question! If the professional cares, you will hear it in their response. If they are just trying to get a client, you’ll know. You’ll probably feel icky, and like you need to take a shower.
#5: Test them
I call myself “A Why-Guy.” I always want to know why. I tell all my clients the same thing: if they ask me why they are doing something, I will give them the exact reason I have designed their program and what it will achieve. My response is never, “I saw it in a magazine and thought it looked cool,” or, “it burns calories.” There is an actual purpose behind my choices.
There should be a purpose to everything you do, and you should be able to ask why you are doing something. Not just for clarity, but to gain knowledge about how to improve yourself.
As we discussed earlier, knowledge of the complexities of the body is essential for truly effective and efficient programs, so I suggest testing the professional. , ask a question that pertains to the field or you, paying particular attention to the language they use.
Remember you’re trusting this person to know how the body works, they should know anatomy and be able to describe in a way that you can understand. Borrowing a line from Einstein, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know it well enough.”
Do yourself a favor, find someone who meets these criteria. Do it so you not only can achieve your goals efficiently but so that you can gain the knowledge to continue your journey on your own.
If you are currently a fitness professional, consider these points, and see how you can enhance your service and continue to grow and develop as a professional.
What good experiences have you had with a fitness professional? What made them stand out to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
[1] NCCA Accreditation. Retrieved from https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/ncca
Pete Rohleder
