March is National Athletic Training month, which is a great time to put it into the spotlight. It’s a field that is growing much faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and it’s a position that serves an important role. While many people may call themselves an athletic trainer, that doesn’t mean they are actually qualified. It’s important to know how to select the right athletic or personal trainer to work with.
“There are a lot of unofficial programs online and around the country that claim to provide athletic training education,” explains Jennifer Scherer, medical exercise specialist, certified personal trainer, and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. “If you want to work with an athletic trainer it’s important to know what to look for to get the most out of the time and money spent.”
An athletic trainer, according to the BLS, is someone who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. They tend to work in colleges, universities, schools, hospitals, fitness centers, doctors offices, and for professional sports teams. A personal trainer, on the other hand, lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, according to the BLS. A high school diploma is typically the only qualification needed to be a personal trainer.
Athletic trainers can help to reduce injury rates, as well as lower the costs of health care associated with such injuries. They are health care professionals who have a college degree, as well as certification. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, they are educated in such areas as injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion, examination, assessment and diagnoses, immediate and emergency care, and therapeutic intervention. The education to lead to a certification in personal training varies, but usually takes weeks or months.
Here are some tips for choosing an athletic or personal trainer to work with:
Determine if you want to work with an athletic trainer or a personal trainer. As previously mentioned, so you can ensure you choose a person qualified in that area.
Choosing a personal trainer is important to help keep you accountable towards your goals. Although most personal trainers have the knowledge and expertise to help you reach your goals, personality and approach toward coaching are vital in having you want to show up each week for your trainer. Trial and error plays a huge part here.
Once you have a session or two with an athletic or personal trainer, you'll get an idea if they are the right fit for you. If you feel comfortable around you’re the person, you're more likely to put all your effort into the session. Don’t be afraid to make a switch if it doesn’t feel right
If you have a specialized goal or circumstances, it might be a good idea to find someone with that specific experience. For example, if you are a senior, finding a trainer who specializes in senior fitness may be a good fit for you. On the flip side, if you are an athlete or in need of specialized training for sport, finding a trainer with experience with athletics or athletes would be ideal.
Make sure the person you choose is adequately certified to do the service they are providing. Most businesses and studios require their trainers to at least be certified personal trainers. It is never a bad idea to ask just to be sure you are working with a fitness professional.
“Ideally, you want to know what your goals are first, so you can then choose the best person to help guide you toward achieving them," added Scherer. "Athletic trainers and personal trainers serve an important role, but you want to work with the right person to get the most out of the experience.
The team of professionals at Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, where they offer private personal training, have degrees and certifications. They are trained in being able to help people improve health and wellness, including medical exercise, personal training, in-home medical training, virtual personal training, nutrition coaching, and a Pilates reformer program. All workouts on it are custom-tailored for the individual to address their physical fitness concerns. The Pilates Reformer program features a versatile machine designed to provide resistance. It can be used when standing, sitting, or lying down.
Fredericksburg Fitness Studio doesn't offer memberships as other gyms do. They offer private customized fitness programs that are available by appointment. Many people who go to the studio are referrals from physical therapists and doctors. The wellness professionals at the studio communicate with the medical teams to keep them up to date on patient progress. To learn more about Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, visit the site: https://www.fburgfitness.com.
