| These days, there are so many quickie ways to take | | | | create a truly safe and effective fitness program for |
| a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) course. There are | | | | you, I need to know what your body has been |
| also several excellent organizations turning out highly | | | | through. You should be asked to perform some kind |
| qualified trainers. I began training before they even | | | | of cardiovascular fitness test to assess your heart |
| really required a certification. I did major in biology | | | | and lung health. A series of muscular tests should |
| physiology and always found the human body to be | | | | include assessment of strength as well as endurance. |
| one of the most fascinating topics I could study. | | | | Your flexibility is the last area that will be assessed. |
| What I am trying to stress here is that whoever you | | | | The rest of your assessment will consist of a |
| select, ask about their certification, for references | | | | discussion around your goals and your present food |
| and about their education, as well as their experience | | | | plan. A good trainer will listen carefully to you, |
| in the field. You can go online and investigate the | | | | assessing how realistic your goals are and help you to |
| certifying organization, the college they attended and | | | | put them in a doable time frame. The food planning |
| definitely call their references. | | | | may not be within their scope of expertise. If not, |
| Equally as important is that you really feel that you | | | | they should have someone to refer you to. Trainers |
| "click", that you can trust that this person has your | | | | are not required to be trained in nutrition; however, |
| very best interests at heart. Do not be afraid to ask | | | | many, like myself, opt to get certified in that area as |
| a lot of questions. To me, selecting the right trainer is | | | | well. |
| as important as selecting the right doctor. You are | | | | Remember, you are their boss. You have hired them |
| putting the well being and physical development of | | | | and you can fire them. Go with your gut. If you, for |
| your body in their hands. They had better know | | | | any reason, feel that this is not the trainer for you, |
| what they are doing ... don't you think? | | | | you are probably right. Depending on the condition |
| Your trainer should do a thorough fitness assessment | | | | you started out in, the length of time in which you |
| on you, first thing. It needs to consist of a | | | | will see results will vary. You will, in relatively short |
| comprehensive medical health history. Please do your | | | | order, feel firmer and have an increase in energy and |
| best to be as complete with these facts as possible. | | | | flexibility. You should see this in no more than 4-6 |
| It is critical to provide every single physical event | | | | weeks. Happy training! |
| that your body has been through. If I'm going to | | | | |