Savvy Consumer: How to Outsource Your Fitness
Jan. 27, 2006— -- So you made your usual New Year's resolution to get in shape. But studies show that by late January most of us have already strayed. (We didn't need a fancy study to figure that out, did we?) Maybe what you need to do is outsource your willpower. My best workout success has been with a personal trainer. But beware! The government doesn't regulate personal trainers, so anybody can become one.
"I am a personal trainer." Saying it is all you have to do to make it so. You don't need a degree. You don't need a certification. For that matter, the government doesn't regulate the organizations that provide certification. About 15 different groups do so nationally -- some respected, others not. Several organizations certify people as trainers after one weekend of classes. Others require simply an open-book test. When I investigated personal trainers, I even found a group that was willing to certify me by mail if I sent a videotape of myself exercising!
Personal training costs $50 to $100 an hour and up, so it ought to be a weighty decision. If you get the wrong trainer, you'll lose money and you won't lose weight. You could also seriously injure yourself. Don't choose a trainer just because he or she has a great body. Choose somebody who can help you achieve your fitness goals. Finding a good trainer should wear you out a little bit -- just like a good workout.
Try to find a personal trainer who has a college degree in a relevant field like kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology or health and fitness plus a credible certification. The American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association are the most respected certifying organizations. Knowing who trained the trainer is really the key.
Here are some tips to becoming a savvy consumer when it comes to hiring a personal trainer:
