How to Become a Great Personal Trainer

It's a great question, and an important question. With the loss of traditional jobs and a move to service-industry economy in North America, personal training is a way to earn a relatively good living while helping others.

In my opinion, there is a huge shortage of good trainers in the workforce.

Now it's relatively easy to become a certified personal trainer. Simply look up one of the popular certifications (ACE, NSCA-CPT, or whatever certification the gym you want to work at requires), get their study materials, and then pass their test. Then you certified and can be a trainer. That's it. (So it's easy to see why there are so many bad trainers out there. Remember that the more people the organizations certify, the more $$$ they make...)

However, to become a good trainer, you will need to learn much, much more and invest far more time and education than you need to just get a quick certification.

You will need to start by mastering the basics such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and an introduction to sports medicine.

For without this foundation, it is easy for a trainer to fall for the latest gimmicks and fads. If you don't know how the central nervous system controls the muscles, then standing on a wobbling board while doing biceps curls with a rubber band while reciting your ABC's backwards might seem like a good idea. But if you have a strong education in the foundations, then you'll take one look at that stuff and realize its bunk.

Fortunately, you can learn as much studying on your own as you could by being enrolled in a University Kinesiology program.

The plus side of going to University is that you will get a recognized degree and it also happens that a University or College degree (any subject however) is a pre-requisite for possibly the most recognized certification, that of the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

However, the obvious downsides of University are the required investments in time and money. You must study on the University schedule and the fees are substantial.

One additional downside to a University education is the heavy emphasis placed on aerobic exercise science. Not only has this lead to the "You must do aerobics for fat loss" mentality, but also to the ill-advised "high-carbohydrate, low-fat diets are best for fat loss and health" nutrition recommendations.

While some coaches regard the formal education process as un-necessary, and feel that all the requisite knowledge can be gained on their own and in the trenches, I am a strong supporter of a formal education - provided the quality of education is high. Perhaps these coaches attended less than stellar Kinesiology programs (which I know do exist).

However, the education that I attained from McMaster University is without a doubt the reason for the quality of my programs and the level of my knowledge. Most influential was the neuromuscular physiology course taught to me by Dr. Digby Sale at McMaster University. But since you will never have the opportunity to attend his classes, I recommend in his place you read:

Supertraining - by Mel Siff

and

The Science and Practice of Strength Training - Dr. Vladimir Zatsiorsky

Either way, as Michael Masterson of EarlytoRise says, expect to spend 1000 hours of study to become competent (as he suggests is the case with any discipline). Of course, having a good mentor can significantly decrease the amount of time you will need to study (perhaps by 50%).

So those are a couple of roads on how you become a competent personal trainer. But they aren't the only ones. I've even met former University-educated engineeers that are great trainers, as they seem to bring a unique perspective to training.

Personal Trainers Insight into Weight Loss

Unfortunately, in today's world, the easiest way is the best way. Today, if you are overweight, there are a million and one diets, training programs and supplements which guarantee you success. Indeed, many of them deliver and customers have excellent success. 

But more often than not, those who begin a diet or program fail. They either drop out, or the results don't come.

But why? Why is it that the obesity epidemic is sweeping the world with a force, if there are so many easy weight loss methods available? 

Because current trends are to let others do the thinking for us.

We follow a particular diet. Foods we can eat, cant eat. Train at this time, run for this long. All you are doing is following someone else's rules without actually learning anything yourself. And this is the key to a new lifestyle and weight loss- knowledge. Understanding which you can act on in any situation at any time in your life.

If you understand how the body works, in relation to nutrition and training, if you become familiar enough to recognise and react to your bodies messages and changes, if you understand enough about yourself- its then, and only then, you can live a LIFESTYLE of healthiness which will keep the weight off with no drudge diet, no starving, no 0 carb or 0 fat menu's.

This is the difference between those who lose weight and keep it off and those who are forever struggling. Those who learn not only rules, but the reasoning and the knowledge behind these techniques, who understand bodily processes, how their body works, why it works that way, and how to ensure your lifestyle is optimum for your body, these are the ones who not only will lose the weight, but can simply live a healthy lifestyle armed with this knowledge. Day by day they can live happy and sure, knowing how to treat their body correctly without any crazy diets.

Im not saying that weight loss programs out their are incorrect- they will work in many cases. But your body is a clever thing. It adapts, it resists. Unless you can manipulate your lifestyle for your particular needs, and react to different situations not outlined in a general diet, you wont succeed, or your success will come at a dear price. Who wants to follow a certain menu day in day out? Its bound to fail. Who wants to cut all the carbs out of their diet? The only thing which will happens is your metabolism will slow so much, when you do eat carbs again it will result in weight gain. The cycle begins. It's the knowledge of the science of your body which will allow you to understand EXACTLY why your putting weight on, or why your losing weight, and how to reverse or encourage trends in your everyday life.

In the morning when i wake up, i know if i don't eat within 30 minutes my body will start to tap into my muscle stores and fat stores for glucose. As im trying to gain muscle, this is unacceptable. When my body is overly tired, ill postpone a workout, consume some extra protien and carbs and allow plenty of rest. Its all about understanding your body and meeting its needs. One diet can work for everyone. You need to know your body and know how to treat it in any situation. This is the key to long term weight loss, and a fun, invigorating new lifestyle.

So before your begin your diet or training program, take the time to learn about the science of your body. Research the processes of fat storage, fat breakdown. Research muscle growth, research nutrition. Knowledge. Its worth more than its weight in gold. Aquire it. Understand the world you life in and the body you walk around in. This is your key to success.

What Is Men's Personal Fitness Training About?

Most men, when it comes to men's fitness training, look at building mass instead of losing weight. There are two different options then when it comes to this type of training. The first is getting a really solid buff body, while the other is just a healthy body. Either way, these workouts are the way to go.

No matter the reason men are choosing this training program, they will receive many health benefits as well. In fact, such training can give men many health benefits. These include living longer and losing weight if desired. Not only can this form of training let men live longer, but also live a healthier life.

When it comes to these workouts you can choose from doing it at a gym or at home. Which one you choose, is ultimately up to you. These questions when it comes to this form of exercise it will depend on your time limitations and what you want to achieve. At home you can have privacy and more time. While at a gym you can have a trainer to help you, but it costs membership fees and you may not have a lot of time. You will also have to work around the gym's schedule, unless you are lucky enough to find one that is opened twenty-four hours a day.

Before you decide which way to go with the program, you should first get a doctor's opinion. This opinion can be invaluable and help point you in the right direction. Some suggestions from friends can also help as well.

When you decide that you are going to use a gym for your fitness training, you will want to decide which one you are going to join. This will involve looking at prices and facilities offered. This includes if they offer personal trainers or not. Compare fees to find the best one for you and your needs.

On the other hand, if you choose home equipment for your training needs, then you will need to shop around as well. This includes comparing prices and warranties of the products that are offered. There are many out there, but is up to you to choose the training equipment that will suit your personal fitness needs and goals.

As you can see, if you are a man, you may have many options to choose from when it comes to these workouts. Men's fitness training also has many health benefits. Whether you choose a gym or home equipment and whether you are choosing to bulk up or just tone what you have, these workouts are the way to go. Either way you will avail the health benefits and that is a good a reason as any.

Why Do We Need Personal Fitness Trainers?

If you are looking for a new fitness routine, you may want to consider checking out personal fitness trainers. Personal fitness trainers are a good idea to help motivate you and keep you on track. Not only that, but they can make up a good exercise routine that is personalized just for you and your fitness goals and needs. Besides this, these trainers can help you in some other areas as well.

Of course the main job of these trainers is to keep you on track with your workout routine. This is great for those who are not very disciplined when it comes to this aspect of staying in shape. It is also great to have positive motivation no matter what. They sometimes use pushy techniques to get you there, but this may be what some people need to really stay on track.

Besides keeping you on track with your workout, personal fitness trainers will show you how to eat properly. They will show you some healthy alternatives to other foods that you may want to eat. They can also show you how to prepare some of these dishes. Not only will they show you how to eat healthy and properly, but they can show you the correct size proportions to eat. Because it isn't just eating right, but eating the right amounts that will make a difference. They will also know what kinds of food and serving sizes will work with your fitness routine, in order to maximize your weight loss.

The first thing to do when you begin looking at personal fitness trainers is to get advice from your doctor. They can not only give you advice but also refer you to ones that may be right for you. Local fitness centers can also give you some referrals as well. Asking your friends isn't a bad idea either. Once you find a few that you may like, taking the time to interview them thoroughly. Let them know what your fitness goals are and ask them what they would do to help you. Be very specific with them, in order that they have all the details to choose from. Go over every aspect of their plans afterwards and compare them side-by-side. This will help you pick the one that you believe will meet your needs the closest or best. Another thing to check out when it comes to choosing among personal fitness trainers is the times that they are available. This is very important when coinciding with the times you are available. You want to make sure that you are meeting with them at least a couple times a week.

As you can see, choosing personal fitness trainers will take a little research and time. But in the end, if you desire good motivation and a healthier lifestyle, it just may be the option for you. Once you find one and see how well they work out, you'll be glad you took the time.

Personal Trainer Toronto

Personal Trainer Toronto - Your New Year's Resolution Gift 

January is almost over and already you begin to see people falling off the wagon with their workout routines. Five days a week is quickly turning into three and soon the average resolution setter will have long disappeared leaving the gym crowd-free once again.

Many of these people are lacking one simple element of motivation. They don't have a strong enough reason WHY they want to lose the weight or get in shape. There is nothing to keep them going, there are no clearly defined benefits to continuing to go to the gym. 

STILL NEED MORE HELP STAYING ON TRACK?

Personal Trainers are a great motivating tool when it comes to staying on track. They not only keep you accountable but ensure that you are getting the most out of your workout. 

HERE ARE THE "TOP 10 REASONS FOR WORKING OUT WITH A PERSONAL TRAINER"

1. An individualized fitness program designed specifically for you

2. Maximize your workout time

3. Increase performance in the areas of strength, flexibility, endurance, posture, balance, co-ordination, and cardiovascular health and fitness

4. Reach or maintain a healthy body weight

5. Learn correct form and technique for cardiovascular and strength training

6. Prepare for an event such as a wedding

7. Relieve boredom from the same workout routine

8. Learn new ways to improve your health

9. Have fun with your workouts by training with a motivating and fun individual

10. Reduce stress and anxiety

When looking for a personal trainer, make sure they offer a free evaluation or consultation before you train with them because this is the best way to see if you like their training style.

Stay strong with your New Year's resolution and get fit in 2007. Having a healthy and sexy body is the best gift you can give yourself.

Personal Training Certifications - Not All are Created Equal

Personal trainers play an important role in the lives of many who are struggling and aspiring health and condition-conscious people. But how do you 'validate' your skills as a personal trainer? Personal training certifications are essential if you are a dedicated personal trainer (PT), interested in giving the best to your clients, and to get a good income of course.

Just perform a Google search on "Online Personal Training Certification", and you'll actually come across a whole long list of certifications - there was one which seemed like a joke as it costs only USD49.99! But the fact is .. that there are tonnes of personal training certifications out there - which one is the best and can offer you the experience, knowledge, training, satisfaction and a chance at a great personal trainer salary?

In my opinion, the personal training scene here in Malaysia is not as competitive and as lucrative as it is in most other countries. If you would read up the profile of the personal trainer at your gyms, you would notice that only a handful have taken the initiative to get certified by an independant and recognised certification body (ACE, FISAF, etc), while the rest of them (which is almost MOST of them actually) only possess an in house certification.

In my opinion, unless the PT has a real genuine passion for his job, he'd make a lousy trainer if his knowledge and expertise depended SOLELY on what he learns at the in house certification course. Most of the time, the in house courses are only recognised by that one fitness chain itself, and not the others. I've also had the opportunity to glance through some of their training materials, which interestingly, even addresses the area of convincing members at the gym to sign up for personal training packages. It even includes sample questions and answers, what you should say if given a particular excuse not to sign up, etc. Yes, thats sick! Now you know why some of the rotten ones can sometimes be so persistent and annoying.. its cos they studied how to!

To those of you who have not heard of the ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) the ISSA is recognised worldwide and are very highly respected in this field. Anyway, personally, I've always been very keen on certifications from the ISSA myself, mainly because:

1. I know people who have sat for ISSA certifications - and they are top notch personal trainers.

2. I've seen some of their examination questions before, and they make the most sense when compared to a few others.

3. The convenience and the freedom/flexibility to study at your own pace, and sit for an online exam.

For me, being here in Malaysia, having to juggle a busy work schedule and my time at the gym doesn't leave me much time to enroll myself in a class to study for a certification. I wish I could just sit for the exam and skip the course materials! And the ISSA gives you just that - the freedom to study at a relaxed pace and to sit for the online exam when you're ready. That alone, is enough to swing my decision to them, but the fact that they actually are a credible voice in this industry.. is a very welcome bonus.

There are many who aren't all out for online certifications, and I don't blame them. For example, a complete newbie would need to familiarize himself with exercises, technique, and have a good understanding of our health and bodies. For someone like me, or anyone who's been around the scene for a good few years - an online certification could be just what they need to take their career to the next level since we already have the basics nailed down. Although there's nothing like having a real live person in front of you to interact with, I'm actually pretty comfortable with their in depth study materials and support offered.

The ISSA offers a completely online personal training course. You can sign up, read materials, take practice tests, and sit for the real certification exam all online. No need to talk to a real person. This does have its up and downs.. but I do believe that the quality of their syllabus, and if you really are a dedicated person and are passionate about it - getting certified will easily place you 10 notches above the average PT in your gym who only carries an in house certification.

The ISSA offers certifications in various categories, but I've personally had my eyes set on the Specialist in Performance Nutrition (SPN) certification for quite some time now. Its not really a course that gets you involved in training an individual, but pretty much a specialised course to understand the role nutrition plays in our bodies and how we can best maximise that for maximum performance by our bodies.

In Malaysia today, especially among the fitness chain giants, where a majority of PTs only possess an in-house certification program - having your own cert will differentiate you from the rest. If you're looking for the best 'study-as-you-go' certification that will be able to fit in your busy schedule, I'd say that an ISSA certification would be your best option. Hey.. it's what I myself would sign up for. ;)

I write with great interest about the ISSA simply because in the right hands - it has the benefits of excellent in-depth materials coupled together with convenience. Now thats a perfect combination. I plan to get ISSA certified over the next few months if all goes well... so wish me luck!

Those Who Disgrace Their Profession - Gym Personal Trainers

I've been doing some research on thermogenics/ fat burning/ fat blocker supplements, so I headed to the gym today and asked a Personal Trainer over there about a certain thermogenic product.

Anyway, he recommended a 'personally-guaranteed' product... a mixture of Ma Huang* and something called ******? He hesitated in spelling it for me.. and kept pushing me to buy it.. which kinda turned me off.. 2-4 pills a day he said, up to 2 weeks, followed by a one month off period.

I am searching online for the latter ingredient.. but can't seem to get the spelling right. Ma Huang is also called Ephedrine which accelerates heart rate (the PT said).

He mentioned that 80% of his clients are taking these tablets and all of them absolutely love it.. so I did ask him: why do i need to buy a hundred tablets? can't i just take 50 tabs first? his reply to me was: oh but u can keep u see... so i said: if 80% of your clients are taking it, im sure u can help me find someone who wants to buy the other half since it's so popular anyways.. he had nothing to say.

Previously on another occasion some months ago when I felt as if my workout wasn't quite going anywhere, I asked him how to get rid of the last couple of layers of blubber.. he straightaway launched into this ONE-week programme thing that he designed.. 6 days of workout, high-protein high fibre diet, some pill-popping, then on the 7th day, only SIPS of water allowed to get rid of water in your body.. he guaranteed me 6 packs.. i was like WHAT?!

I thought I'd share my experience with you.

Cheers! Fitchick

This is like giving a kid a can of beer when all he needed was a glass of milk. It's just MEAN. This is just SO WRONG is SO MANY ways I just don't know where to start.

It is extremely disappointing to hear such recommendations come from the mouth of a Personal Trainer (PT). It is people like these who tarnish an awesome life-changing and inspiring job of being a Personal Trainer. What I find disappointing is that he suggested an easy way out (which also happens to be a very UNSAFE one) to someone who was keen on doing things right. What he suggested very much sounds like a recipe for a heart attack... jokes aside.

Also, the diet he suggested sounds very much like a pre-contest diet where bodybuilders strip their last bits of bodyfat to look good just in time for a contest and appearing on stage. You should ask the PT.. what happens after the 1 week of madness?

If I were you.. I would NOT go down that path of drug abuse to achieve weight loss. This entire topic is very, very controversial, and surprisingly - very widespread wherever you go. It's just that it is rarely discussed, for obvious reasons - it's illegal, and has the potential to do you harm if you're not careful.

As for Ma Huang - it's pretty common and can be found in most thermogenic supplements - but in controlled doses so that you won't run the risk of screwing yourself.

Here's a description of Ma Huang I got off the net:

*Ma Huang is an evergreen plant derivative. It acts as a stimulant by supposedly boosting energy and helping with weight control, and is chemically similar to ephedrine. Ephedrine accomplishes weight control partly by reducing appetite and by boosting your heart rate, etc.

Any products containing ephedra were made illegal for over-the-counter sales by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 12, 2004. Prior to this date, ephedra was available legally in nutritional supplements, energizers, and dietary teas, as well as in herbal "ecstasy," which was the impetus for its controversy. The US FDA banned ephedrine after it "...received an increasing number of reports of adverse reactions associated with ephedra use. These reported reactions vary from the milder adverse effects known to be associated with sympathomimetic stimulants (e.g., nervousness, dizziness, tremor, alterations in blood pressure, headache, gastrointestinal distress) to chest pain, myocardial infarction, hepatitis, stroke, seizures, psychosis, and death." Some 32 deaths were also attributed to this drug. 

However, the whole ephedrine abuse drama too, is controversial, and there's always been two sides of the story, just like everything else. I'd rather not go there.

And a note to everyone - I do not condone the usage of Ephedrine, or any other drug for the enhancement of sport performance, no matter what your excuse is. Nothing beats proper nutrition, diet, and exercise.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us Fitchick. I appreciate it.

Athlete's Succeed With The Help Of A Personal Trainer

Sports are big business - profitable for athletes and individuals who prepare athletes for competition. Professional and amateur athletes at all levels - from grade school teams to the National Football League - need assistance of expert personal trainers who can make them excel at their sports. Until recently, most people believed that power athletes were born not made. That's changed. Modern training techniques can make anyone faster, stronger and more powerful. A Certified Specialist in Sports Conditioning through International Sports Science Association can provide powerful tools needed to prepare athletes for professional, college, school, or recreational sports.

Through this internationally recognized certification the Sports Specialist has mastered the basic science and exercise programming techniques behind training athletes for competition. This detailed certification course covers the major bones and muscle of the skeletal and muscular anatomy and how this relates to sport performance. This information is of vital importance in determining the muscles involved in specific sports and exercises to develop them. For example, a baseball pitcher must have strong arms, shoulders & back muscles to throw the ball but he must also possess balance and strong legs and lower body as well as core strength in order to pitch at peak performance.

Having knowledge about the basic methods of measuring speed, endurance, power, strength, and flexibility is essential for this certification. This includes popular tests used by the NFL and other professional teams for measuring sports specific physical fitness. Improving skill is the best way to develop power for sport. They show proven techniques for using video to build skill systematically.

Via this certification one learns scientifically proven methods for building endurance, strength, flexibility, speed, power and agility. These techniques are incredibly effective techniques to help athletes perform to their full potentials. These methods can make even people with modest talents far better than they ever thought possible.

To pass this certification one has to design programs for major athletes involved in such sports as football, basketball, soccer, track and field, baseball and softball, bodybuilding, weight lifting, and golf. The program designs were very specific and included periodized training according to season and needed performance. In other words it is very specific, right down to seasonal training per sport.

An army runs on its stomach and so do athletes. No personal trainer's knowledge is complete without thorough knowledge of sports nutrition, supplements, and drugs. The material studied is unbiased as well as scientifically accurate information about these vital topics. Please note that personal trainers are not equipped with the knowledge and certification to provide true nutritional advice. Only registered, licensed dietitians are credible sources of this information. However a Certified Personal Trainer has a wide array of resources that we rely on for this aspect of training.

Motivating athletes is a difficult and complex task for trainers and coaches. This is my specialty because I possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. I am always studying some sort of psychological aspect of sports, fitness and lifestyle. Understanding psychological characteristics of champions and basic psychological techniques to help athletes keep training and withstand the pressures of competitive athletics is imperative as a trainer of athletes. Imaging is tool used by successful athletes. Imaging will help the athlete practice and focus on their sport when they are not on the field. You often see young athletes practice imaging when they play the sport on a pretend level. True athletes never stop this pretending (aka imaging)!

Pain and injury are, unfortunately, part of playing competitive sports. As a personal trainer of athletes we often design programs that help rehabilitate injuries while building or re-building fitness. We help athletes develop fitness systematically without injury. And our work can even help prevent injury! This is extremely important in working with youth athletes as I have to come to know by working with my young sons. Hiring a trainer for your young athlete can be one of the best things you can do because the work the trainer does with the athlete helps them improve performance on the field and strengthens the child so he/she is less likely to injure them self in the sport. Who would not want injury prevention for their child? And as an added bonus the child is guaranteed* to be more powerful athlete which can lead to significant gains later in life and a stronger athlete - period!

I now have a wonderful opportunity to significantly impact the lives and careers of the people I work with because I am a Certified Specialist in Sports Conditioning. I treasure this opportunity and do my best to provide meaningful service and impart important knowledge about exercise, fitness and training. With my help and guidance, combined with a passion for excellence, I hope to inspire those I guide to higher levels of achievement. Thanks to my certification with International Sports Science Association, I hope to help my clients, family and friends to aspire athletic dreams every day! It is a Win-Win situation!!!

God Bless!

Kathie Ingram Owen 

Richmond, TX 

Athlete's Succeed with the Help of a Personal Trainer

*Results on a consistent program with Kathie are guaranteed!

Kathie Ingram Owen is a Certified Fitness Trainer with Certified Expertise in Athlete & Older Adult Fitness. She enjoys helping others achieve a well-rounded self through fitness: mind, body and spirit. Kathie provides online fitness training to clients all over the world. She also trains clients in person and is a Certified Fitness Instructor teaching a variety of aerobic classes. Check out her website to find out more.