Living Better Sensibly

Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness Counseling

presents:

The bad news for those willing
to be cajoled and cheered on for
that last set of reps is that there
is no national or state licensing
procedure for personal trainers.
Anyone can call themselves a per-
sonal trainer if someone else is
willing to pay them for their ser-
vices.
Regulatory legislation has been
proposed in several states, but
nothing has passed.
"It's the client's responsibility
to check the credentials of their
trainer," says Jude Timlin, who
has been a personal trainer for 15
years and is now based at the
PowerHouse Gym in West Bloom-
field.
"People need to understand
that because personal trainers are
certified by different agencies, the
standards vary widely. One
agency's prerequisite may be a
minimum age of 18 and CPR cer-
tificate, or they may offer a week-
end course and an examination.
The trainer pays the money, puts
in the time and is certified.
"No one learns how to be a per-
sonal trainer from a text book or
only from their own experience as
a body builder. Clients should
know which certification pro-
grams are legitimate and that

their trainers are continuing their
education by attending seminars
and conferences. It's important to
ask."
When Arline Rein of West
Bloomfield wanted a personal
trainer, she went to the Jewish
Community Center for advice. "I
had lost some weight and want-
ed to firm up, but I didn't know
how and I knew nothing about
what makes a good personal train-
er," says Mrs. Rein.
"I hooked up with Mike Miniel-
ly at the Center over a year ago
and I'm still with him. He keeps
me going without being a
taskmaster and he's very positive.
Whatever it is, it's working!"
The good news is that although
there is no licensure process, there
are many reputable personal
trainers and organizations that
certify exercise specialists and per-
sonal trainers. Among the largest
are the National Strength and
Conditioning Association, the
American College of Sports Med-
icine, the American Council on Ex-
ercise, American Fitness
Professionals & Associates and
the Aerobics and Fitness Associ-
ation of America. Do your home-
work and select the personal
trainer that fits your needs.

Let our staff of
registered dietitians
help you with
your healthy
New Year's resolutions

Personalized
Nutrition Counseling
Worksite Wellness Programs
Vegetarian Cooking Classes
Healthy Home Cooking Program

available at your local bookstore

Beverly Price, R.D., M.A.

Betsey Kurletto

Call (810) 539-9424 for more information

tnjad96

& NU7yo r

Selecting A Trainer

• Find out if your personal
trainer is certified and by whom
and if he or she keeps current.

• Ask for references of other
clients and be sure to contact
them. Find out if they've ever
been injured while training, if
the trainer is reliable, punctu-
al, returns phone messages, and
how long they've been working
with that trainer.

progress to motivate you? This
includes keeping a record of
clients' workouts with a track-
ing- system and updating med-
ical history periodically.

• Can your trainer give you an
exercise program to work on by
yourself on days when you're
not training or away on busi-
ness or on vacation?

• Make sure you understand
the cost. Rates vary depending
on the trainer's experience, if
they're training at a health club
or at your home, and the length
of the exercise period.

• Is the trainer interested in
helping you maintain a bal-
anced, healthy lifestyle in addi-
tion to exercise? Look for
someone who won't baby or pa
tronize you but will help you
through those forced reps, rec-
ognizes when you need to in-
crease your weight, and asks if
you're eating right and getting
enough sleep, Your trainer is
your partner, giving you goals
and encouraging you

• Watch the trainer work with
other clients. Observe his com-
munication skills and the way
he coaches and motivates. Will
that approach work for you?

• Does the trainer have liabili
ty insurance? Some trainers are
independent contractors and
not employed by a fitness facil-
ity.

• Can your trainer help you es-
tablish realistic short-term and
long-term goals and assess your

• Does the trainer listen to what
you want and communicate
well with you?

• Does your trainer ask for
a complete a health history
questionnaire to determine
your medical needs and limi-
tations?

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PERSONAL TRAINING

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Personalized Fitness Evaluations and Training
Complete Weight Management Services
Nutritional Analysis (inc. diet recommendations)
Health Screening
These Services ilvailabk in...
Lifestyle Assessment
Home, Office
Body Composition
or Health Club
FREE Heart Disease
Equipment Available
Risk Factor Analysis

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

810-366-0998

IN*

