Should personal trainers have more education?

This data and conversation comes from subsections of an article posted in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Research study background

there were 11 personal trainers between the ages of 22 to 50, with 9 having at least a college education and all had some type of personal training certification.

The participants were asked about their profession and things they thought were important as a personal trainer. There were four global themes that were common throughout the interviews; negative characteristics, client loyalty, client selection rationale, and credentials.

In my article, I would like to focus on mainly the credentials subsection talked about with these personal trainers.

Credentials from a trainers point of view

In this focus group, credentials seemed to have 2 major themes: a formal college education and certifications. For the best outcome as a trainer, a college education with a science focus seemed to be the best bet. A science background in the education gives the trainers a better understanding of the base knowledge needed to be successful. The emphasis on science was a common answer among the majority of the trainers. however, many of the trainers claimed to be unsatisfied with the current programs, due to lack of management classes.

Many if not all trainers need basic understanding of how to run and start up a gym, getting a business license, balancing books, etc. However, this can be taught with business courses or a business degree, but many do not want to double up majors and have the stress of more classwork.

Personal training or fitness leader certifications are required in most gym settings. These courses offer a sort of fitness education, an exam and "official recognition" for specific organizations. The participants claimed that this certification is not needed because it is essentially just a piece of paper that says they are certified, but lacks educating on ground knowledge.

"I have certifications from ACSM and NSCA, and if I never took those exams, I don't think I'd be any better or worse of a trainer" - unnamed participant

This same participant also stated that designing a program (nutritional and/or exercise) is not in any of the certification courses they have seen. Program creation is one of the most important and main things that personal trainers are required to do.

Another common theme was the state of the training and licensure. Many courses can be taken online with not in-person examination or practice before being certified. The participants believe that a good and successful personal trainer needs to have this experience and training because it gives practical knowledge and information that is not given in the written form.

This lack of knowledge and easy pass for certifications can result in client injuries and lawsuits. Along with these negative outcomes, many online certification courses lack interpersonal and motivational instruction which are key skills needed as a trainer.

My conclusion

This article makes it clear that personal trainers need more education and instructional courses within their certification. Although it didn't state anything on mental health courses, I think this would be key to add to interpersonal skill instruction and we should push for more gyms to require a 4-year degree along with the certifications instead of accepting trainers with only a certification.

Melton, D. I., Katula, J. A., & Mustian, K. M. (2008). The current state of personal training: An industry perspective of personal trainers in a small southeast community. Journal of strength and conditioning research/National Strength & Conditioning Association, 22(3), 883. https://dx.doi.org/10.1519%2FJSC.0b013e3181660dab