Opinions on uncertified trainers....

[ProWrestleFan]

Just curious... I'm deployed and bored, sitting around thinking... I troll instagram a lot and had a serious question... What's everyone's (especially certified trainers) opinions on these instagram individuals with a huge following that start online training and consulting, many of which don't seem to be certified at all? It seems if you look good, have a following, and can market yourself it opens you up to suddenly being a trainer/diet guru... Opinions??

Just looking for conversation on the subject. And no, I'm not one.

[401Delta]

Just curious... I'm deployed and bored, sitting around thinking... I troll instagram a lot and had a serious question... What's everyone's (especially certified trainers) opinions on these instagram individuals with a huge following that start online training and consulting, many of which don't seem to be certified at all? It seems if you look good, have a following, and can market yourself it opens you up to suddenly being a trainer/diet guru... Opinions??

Just looking for conversation on the subject. And no, I'm not one.

Here is a recent discussion on the topic...
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showt...hp?t=174431701

[KyleAaron]

It's a free market. This is both bad and good.

[aquamarine84]

I look at it the same way my scuba instructor looks at diving without certification: It's a certification, not a license. I had an entire scuba class who took a resort course on a cruise, bought a bunch of equipment online and only sought certification because no shop would fill their tanks otherwise. All but one of them turned out to be pretty good divers and that last one eventually came around on the skills she struggled with.

On the training aspect, other than maybe the assessments, I don't really think the NASM scratched the surface of what I need to be a good trainer. I've already taken half of my required CEUs and even then don't seem to be that marketable.

Of course, part of personal training is the sales. If you're a good salesperson, people just might believe you're a good trainer whether you are or not.

Apologies for my rambling thoughts.

[KyleAaron]

Bear in mind, too, that just because they present themselves as a trainer doesn't mean they're actually making any money from it. This came up in another thread.

Also, be careful taking too literal the success stories of colleagues.

"I am doing very well. I have 50 clients and I am booked.' Then they get in their 2004 Honda Accord and drive to their 1 bedroom apartment.

Social media. That's why we call it Facialbook, it's where you go to have someone masturbate themselves all over your face.

[ProWrestleFan]

Bear in mind, too, that just because they present themselves as a trainer doesn't mean they're actually making any money from it. This came up in another thread.


Social media. That's why we call it Facialbook, it's where you go to have someone masturbate themselves all over your face.

Facialbook! HA! That's classic, I need to start using that.

[SerpentHearted]

the unfortunate thing about this industry is that the well intentioned people will go out and get certified, continue their education with more certifications, and end up charging top rates to put clients through movement screens, blow up balloons between reps, align their ribcages and cut out gluten and fructose from their diets. In other words I'm saying most certifications are full of absolute garbage anyway. But at least those trainers started with good intentions rather than arrogance and delusion, which is what I'd say about your average uncertified nobody who just decides for themselves that they can start giving people workouts and meal plans.

[sooby]

i feel like due to how easy a certificate can be to get it's like the quality of training you get is a mixed bag whether you are certified or not.

[jalundah]

"certifications" are for clients, not for trainers. Only thing they do for trainers is make you disciplined enough to memorize some things for a sit-down test.

I have three major ones, CSCS, USAW, CES. Not one of them gave me the actual skill to coach or program, and my ability wouldn't be any less if I let them expire tomorrow.

With that being said, being certified is a standard for a reason. You definitely don't want someone who hasn't at least been through a certification process training anyone, because that means they probably have zero formal education, they just "like to work out".

[KyleAaron]

"certifications" are for clients, not for trainers.

Have you ever had a client who knew we even needed certification, or who knew one certification from another?

[401Delta]

Have you ever had a client who knew we even needed certification, or who knew one certification from another?

IME, people are always suprised when they find out that you don't NEED a certification to train others. I usually follow that up with a brief explanation as to why my particular certification is better than everyone elses and then ask them to feel my abs before handing them one of my homemade business cards .

[401Delta]

Now I just support other trainers, coaches, and nutritionists in pursuing their passions. A few friends and I made a completely free hub for trainers to list their profiles and services. We just launched in South Jersey. If anyone is interested it's shredshared.com

What are your thoughts?

My thoughts are...I wonder how many threads you can manage to advertise your website on.

[JohnSmeton]

To train people certifications arn't necessary if you are a competitor and know exercise science and nutrition. I value experience over someone who memorized what the certification wanted them to.

As far as running a business a certification definitely teaches that and the legal forms, etc. Just training people and getting results though , no

[Ronin4help]

There is no such thing as an uncertified personal trainer.

The term 'Personal Trainer' is a title. It is earned (albeit by varying degrees) by a person who is/was associated with a certifying organization or college. There is a difference between someone who IS a personal trainer and someone who just calls himself a personal trainer. The term 'certified personal trainer' is a term of redundancy, as there is no other type of personal trainer. It's like saying 'licensed doctor'. Sure, anyone can call himself a doctor (e.g. Dr. Dre, Dr. J) but calling oneself something and actually being that thing can be two different things.

You are either a personal trainer via certification or academic credential or you are simply a fitness person selling fitness services calling the services 'personal training'.

[WeeRocket]

It is infuriating...but maybe i'm a little sour because of my experiences.

I have met a few people who have never so much as written their own diet or training plan (and wouldn't even know where to start), but have competed with the help of a PT (who held their hand through every step)...then used their competition placing as a selling point for their own Personal Training services.

I understand the whole argument of theory vs hands-on experience...but the number of self-proclaimed PTs out there who have neither, is frustrating.

[Ronin4help]

It is infuriating...but maybe i'm a little sour because of my experiences.

I have met a few people who have never so much as written their own diet or training plan (and wouldn't even know where to start), but have competed with the help of a PT (who held their hand through every step)...then used their competition placing as a selling point for their own Personal Training services.

I understand the whole argument of theory vs hands-on experience...but the number of self-proclaimed PTs out there who have neither, is frustrating.

Fitness training is a unique service with providers who can actually set a physical precedent, rendering a credential a moot point. Financial services can be similar. In other words, if a 27 year old, good looking man climbs out of a $300,000 Lamborghini in front of the Google building and he is dressed in a $5,000 suit, you would take any financial advice he gave into consideration (assuming you had a good feeling about the guy and he didn't appear shady). Whether or not he had a degree in business or finance probably wouldn't cross your mind. Some expertise can be assumed. This is similar with fitness. If a person is in really good shape and that person gives you fitness advice, who gives a rats ass if he/she is certified? That person CLEARLY knows what he/she is talking about.

If you do not look like you take your own advice, you better have some other means of proving your expertise. Someone looking for a person trainer is only doing so because of the knowledge and expertise being a professional personal trainer implies. However, being supremely fit and healthy can imply the same thing, rendering a credential a non requirement for many people.

[401Delta]

If you do not look like you take your own advice, you better have some other means of proving your expertise. Someone looking for a person trainer is only doing so because of the knowledge and expertise being a professional personal trainer implies. However, being supremely fit and healthy can imply the same thing, rendering a credential a non requirement for many people.

^^Pretty much that.

[rockangel]

Define Supremely fit and Healthy.... as looks can be deceiving. I read a study not long ago that found that almost 60% of female instructors/trainers had some form of disordered eating, with 30% having a true ED. They probably look "supremely fit" but I would not call that healthy at all. And how can you help with other's eating behaviors when you have ED or disordered habits yourself???

I would consider myself "fit" physically and "healthy" medically, though I am neither supremely muscular or supremely lean. So am I out of the running based on the way I look???

My knowledge far outweighs my appearance, though I am neither overweight or overfat, I consider myself average, though fit and healthy. As much as I love training, its this type of BS that makes me not so happy with the industry. Forget the knowledge, if you look good with abs and booty, that's all you need, follow my insta, buy my bikini body plan, eat 1200 cals, blah lah blah....

[401Delta]

Define Supremely fit and Healthy.... as looks can be deceiving. I read a study not long ago that found that almost 60% of female instructors/trainers had some form of disordered eating, with 30% having a true ED. They probably look "supremely fit" but I would not call that healthy at all. And how can you help with other's eating behaviors when you have ED or disordered habits yourself???

I would consider myself "fit" physically and "healthy" medically, though I am neither supremely muscular or supremely lean. So am I out of the running based on the way I look???

My knowledge far outweighs my appearance, though I am neither overweight or overfat, I consider myself average, though fit and healthy. As much as I love training, its this type of BS that makes me not so happy with the industry. Forget the knowledge, if you look good with abs and booty, that's all you need, follow my insta, buy my bikini body plan, eat 1200 cals, blah lah blah....

He was just describing how it is, not how it should be, and I was agreeing.

[rockangel]

He was just describing how it is, not how it should be, and I was agreeing.

Forgive me, Ive been a bit salty today over a situation along the same vein, apparently it has affected my reading skills.

[Ronin4help]

Define Supremely fit and Healthy.... as looks can be deceiving. I read a study not long ago that found that almost 60% of female instructors/trainers had some form of disordered eating, with 30% having a true ED. They probably look "supremely fit" but I would not call that healthy at all. And how can you help with other's eating behaviors when you have ED or disordered habits yourself???

I would consider myself "fit" physically and "healthy" medically, though I am neither supremely muscular or supremely lean. So am I out of the running based on the way I look???

My knowledge far outweighs my appearance, though I am neither overweight or overfat, I consider myself average, though fit and healthy. As much as I love training, its this type of BS that makes me not so happy with the industry. Forget the knowledge, if you look good with abs and booty, that's all you need, follow my insta, buy my bikini body plan, eat 1200 cals, blah lah blah....

You would be hard pressed to find an adult who did not understand how to eat healthy. Eating healthy requires an elementary level of comprehension. Additionally, the Internet is packed with healthy nutrition tips from credible or government sanctioned sites. However, eating for fitness can be very confusing and dangerous if you do not know what you are doing and this is what prompts many people to seek professional consultation.

In terms of looks being deceiving, yes, of course. Looks can be very deceiving if based on assumption. However, this is only going to be an issue if the individual providing the consultation is also a deceptive person. During consultation, however, factual knowledge is what should be passed on. If someone has an eating disorder, that person's personal experience can help a lot of women avoid the same pitfalls.

'Yes, I look like this but I got here the wrong way. I am going to teach you how to do it right so that you do not end up with ill conceived notions on what it really takes to get in shape.'

Many bodybuilders do this as well. The responsible ones who took steroids are in the most credible position to teach younger adults the truth about them so that KNOWLEDGE is passed down, not assumptions based on myths.

People are seeking knowledge... not judgment.

[scienceoverhype]

Although not quite the same, there recently has been occurrences where uncertified strength coaches have caused harm and death to student athletes. High schools and colleges have are now taking action. Should we wait for harm and death to be common in the personal training field before we create some kind of legal standards of competency?

[Ronin4help]

Although not quite the same, there recently has been occurrences where uncertified strength coaches have caused harm and death to student athletes. High schools and colleges have are now taking action. Should we wait for harm and death to be common in the personal training field before we create some kind of legal standards of competency?

You don't need a credential to understand that making athletes run in extreme hot conditions in pads and a helmet is stupid.

[KyleAaron]

Although not quite the same, there recently has been occurrences where uncertified strength coaches have caused harm and death to student athletes.

Certified ones have done it, too.

If you're thinking of the incident I heard of, where some kids carried a log and one dropped it on his head, there's a reason my insurance excludes "military-style bootcamp training." Because the military regularly injures and kills its trainees. I was in a long time ago, so I know. Dumb sht is dumb sht, in or out of uniform, and is done regularly with and without qualifications.