Sun, The (Lowell, MA)
October 9, 2006
Section: Lifestyle
Do trainers need training? Uncertified physical trainers run rampant in gyms
Christine Phelan, Sun Staff
So you've overhauled your diet, invested in a gym membership, laced up your new sneakers -- even signed on with a personal trainer. But how can you be sure your fitness coach is worth his weight in muscle? According to many health professionals, sub-par or even falsified personal trainer certifications are increasingly common, ramping up the possibility of injury -- or worse.
"There's are a lot of risks -- somebody could even die -- if the proper program isn't followed and risks aren't weighed," said Sarah Dowcett, fitness director at Bedford's Total Fitness, who is ACE-certified. "Experience is huge. You definitely need the knowledge and experience and background and training."
More than 65 million Americans frequented a health club in 2004, and the numbers of clubs themselves grew 14 percent the same year, to nearly 27,000.
And due to demand, many gyms routinely offer personal training, either by gym staff or through a separate, but in-house consultancy. But despite their preponderance, no national standards govern trainers' certification and education.
"Basically, at most gyms, you walk in the front door, they take your money, and that's about it," said Gary Skreinar, a BU professor who teaches exercise physiology. "I'm not saying trainers are going to lead somebody into a heart attack, though that could happen. But everybody's at a different fitness level. If you're going to jump into weight training and conditioning, you need guidance."
A quick browse online brings up dozens of certificate programs for personal trainers that run the gamut in price and academic rigor. A handful is well regarded, including ACE, NCSM, and NSCA. Others -- with deceptively similar acronyms and slick Web sites and promotional literature -- aren't even worth their weight in sweat socks.
"We don't really know the true scope of the problem," said Joe Moore, president of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, which advises member clubs to require staff trainers with third-party-assessed certifications. "We do know that there are people not qualified to give instruction who are doing so. Reading fitness magazines isn't a way to become a trainer."
One Web site dispenses personal trainer certificates in exchange for $49.99 and includes 150 pages of materials, a 40-minute online test, and a hard copy certificate that "does not mention the word online." Another requires just two days of coursework covering everything from anatomy and physiology to biomechanics and nutrition for $595. Yet another allows prospective trainers to take the exam up to five times for free for a one-time fee of $199.99.
Several local gyms responded to a reporter's queries about their trainers' certifications. A few, however, including Mike's Gym in Dracut, Gold's Gym in Tewskbury and Lowell's Bally Total Fitness did not immediately respond to repeated requests for information.
And to trainers who are well-certified, that's troubling.
"It's a big problem when people who think they know what they're doing and don't and get people injured," said Eric Boardman, manager of Methuen's World Gym, which subcontracts its personal trainers through Associates in Fitness and Nutrition. "They don't understand body mechanics, don't understand muscles, they don't understand proper posture or clients' limitations. Those are the things these cheap certifications don't touch."
And with more 40-, 50- and 60-somethings now hitting the gym -- and, with them, more complex health histories and potential for physical ailments and injury -- getting a hack trainer can be downright dangerous. In 2002, a New York gym settled a $20 million lawsuit involving a personal trainer whose client actually perished after following her advice.
"The scary thing is that some fitness experts don't know what they don't know," said Mary Hickey, a physical therapy professor at Northeastern. "A lot of different kinds of people are joining gyms now. And they have complicated medical histories, injuries, medications -- that's where the risks lie."
Even following free advice from seemingly experienced gym rats -- who appear to know what they're doing -- is a poor idea. At some clubs, these "freelance" personal trainers risk losing their memberships when caught dispensing advice to other members.
Bottom line, say fitness experts, is to look for reputable certifications, experience, and references. And remember that you get what you pay for.
"As soon as someone walks into our building, there is a risk, and it's our job as trainers to minimize this risk," said Kathy Clark, group fitness director at Westford Racquet and Fitness. "Make sure your trainer has a baseline, so that you know that this person put the effort in, had to have knowledge to pass the test."
"There's definitely a danger, particularly if you're showing somebody an improper way to exercise, stretch, even how to eat," added Katie Torode, an ACE-certified trainer in Tewksbury. "And there can be huge consequences, the least of which could be giving your money to someone who might not know what they're doing at all."
Christine Phelan's e-mail address is cphelan@lowellsun.com.
Photo: Karen Bell, owner of The Club fitness center, left, shows member Teresa
Colena of Lowell proper form on the lateral raise with dumbbells. Sun/Julia Malakie
