HOW MUCH DOES YOUR "TRAINER" REALLY KNOW?
- Bryan Lewis - CSCS, CAFS, TPI & II, USAW level 1
- Mar 1, 2016
- 3 min read
As an unsuspecting client walking into a gym looking for personal training, one generally accepts a trainer's title, assumes that this person is educated, experienced, and certified to get the job done. This assumption is based on blind faith. The client may rationalize, “Why would a company hire subpar trainers/coaches?” Reality check: Not all trainers/coaches are equal.
They can vary along an increasingly complicated spectrum.
This spectrum has many facets that can easily be confused and misinterpreted. The goal for this article is to give you more knowledge on what it actually takes to become a “certified” trainer, and for you to have the ability to question the credentials and education of the people that are in these positions.
Here is where the spectrum begins, and also where it starts to get confusing. Gyms across the country do not have a universal standard when it comes to the credentials of their training staff. Instead, it is left up to the individual standards of each gym or company. Most gyms across the country commonly accept ACE-Certified Personal Trainer and CrossFit Level 1 as general standards for hiring on trainers. The ACE Certification has a high school diploma for a minimum level of education required before sitting for the certification exam. The CrossFit Level 1 certification does not have a set education minimum requirement, and will allow 17 year old individual to attend the two day class and sit for the exam. Keep in mind these are two of the most common certifications in the fitness/wellness community and they are not concerned with a trainer's formal exercise science education for an institution or university. The spectrum has now begun to get clouded very quickly.
On the opposite side of the spectrum there is a less common of certification called the NSCA- CSCS (Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist). It is much less common, especially in commercial gyms, because the requirement minimums are much greater. The NSCA-CSCS certification expects a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year university. Most NSCA-CSCS certified individuals major in a exercise science degree that formally educates them on the detailed in’s and out’s of human physiology, biomechanics, psychology, progression, etc. These individuals are formally educated, certified and can effectively design and implement training programs along a proper progression based on the science of the human body. I don’t know about you, but I did not know anything at all about exercise physiology when I got my high school diploma.
There are definitely many other certifications out there on the spectrum, just make sure that you scrutinize them, know what it takes to attain them and more importantly make sure that your trainer knows what they're doing! It doesn’t make sense to pay top dollar for a trainer that hasn’t invested money into their own credentials and professional development.
You can also ease your mind in knowing that Griffin Elite Sports & Wellness maintains a high level of education and certification from their Athletic Performance staff. Even interns must be in their fourth year of school in an Exercise Science major at a four year university and are planning on taking the NSCA-CSCS at the end of their internship with us. Part-time Athletic Performance coaches must possess a Bachelor’s degree in an Exercise Science major from a four year university, hold their NSCA-CSCS certification, and have work experience in the heath/ training sector. Our directors must have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in an Exercise Science major from a four year university, hold the NSCA-CSCS certification, possess other high level certifications, and also have impressive work experience.
Needless to say, our staff is more than credible to take care of your personal or team's training needs, but can you say that about your current coach or trainer? Thanks for reading! I hoped that this helped to clear up the spectrum and empowers you to scrutinize the health and wellness profession because not all trainers are educated and certified equally!
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