Prompt 10: Recognizing the Truth of Personal Training

By: JT Lenga


This week, I was browsing YouTube and came across a ridiculous video about personal trainers. After watching the video, naturally I was disgusted by it, considering I am a Kinesiology Major and a former personal training client. I decided to do some research on personal trainers, through the internet, to see just how wrong this video is about this field and to expand my own knowledge.

The video shows a big muscular man (the trainer) meeting an attractive female client at the gym. When the trainer first greets his client he is immediately very touchy with her. Throughout the video, he is constantly feeling up her body in a very non-professional way, and as he does this, he maintains a very creepy look on his face. In one scene, he is shown feeling the client's glutes, and in another he is sniffing her hair. These are just two examples of this trainer's antics.

Personal fitness trainers are "typically" people with a passion for being healthy. Both men and women are able to become personal trainers. Trainers are expected to have the knowledge skills and abilities of making a safe and  effective fitness program. They instruct you on how to reach your fitness goals. A trainer's scope of practice includes knowledge of human anatomy, an ability to design workout programs tailored to individuals, client assessment, making a program safe, a desire to help clients through appropriate methods, ability to motivate others, and a dedication to maintaining their personal integrity and their own health. In order to begin working in this field, all personal trainers must pass an exam validated by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. There a variety of different preparatory classes and programs offered to help achieve certification. A few examples are NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), ACE ( American Council on Exercise), and ISSA (International Sports Science Association).

Now that we have an understanding of what a personal trainer is and what they do, let's dig into what is wrong with the video. A trainer does not necessarily have to have a body builder-like physique. This is a common stereo type in this field. The trainer is also shown getting a little too personal with the client. The code of ethics and professional practices of this field states that "sexual misconduct on the part of the trainer is an abuse of professional power and a violation of client trust. Sexual contact or a romantic relationship between a trainer and a current client is always unethical". Throughout the video, the trainer is shown grabbing at the client in an inappropriate and unethical fashion. This is a perfect example of an unethical and stereotypical view of personal trainers in modern society.

Researching personal training for you guys this week was extremely enjoyable for me! I have a very large respect for personal trainers. As I said above, I am a former client of personal trainer, Chris Schild. He had worked with me for years. I was at a point in my early teens where I had little confidence in myself.  Chris helped me reach my goals and gain back my confidence through motivation and hard work. If it wasn't for him, I would not be as involved in exercise, and I probably would not be majoring in Kinesiology. It was through his guidance that I know what I do today about exercise.  He Is one of the many people who motivate me everyday to work harder.

Below are links you may find helpful.  These include links to the certification schools, and Chris Schild's website, Bodywithinfit.

Links: 

NASM: https://www.nasm.org/

ISSA: https://www.issaonline.edu/

ACE: https://www.acefitness.org/

Bodywithin: https://www.bodywithinfit.com/

References

"NCSF Certified Personal Trainer Code Of Ethics : NCSF". National Council on Strength and Fitness. Web. 3 Feb. 2017.

"The Role Of A Personal Trainer". National Federation of Professional Trainers. N.p., 2016. Web. 3 Feb. 2017.