How To Choose A Personal Trainer

The diagnosis is overuse and part of the prescription is: get a personal trainer. It just may be one way to stay out of the doctor’s office.

The weekend warrior: on the court, on the track, in the gym, Saturday and Sunday. In the doctor’s office on Monday.

Roch, M.D., orthopedic surgeon:
“Those patients end up with tendonitis or bursitis or other inflammatory-type conditions.”

When Kat injured her back playing softball, she tried overcoming her chronic pain herself.

Kat, back pain sufferer:
“I had tried doing sit-ups at home, had tried doing different stuff that I had learned through books, through school like that, and always had the problem my back was still hurting.”

After a doctor diagnosed pulled muscles, Kat sought the help of sports performance expert to help strengthen her back. So what should you look for in a personal trainer?

Mackie, Sports Performance manager:
“I think you need to know something about that person….their philosophy. What do they believe in? Is that philosophy consistent with what your doctor desires?”

Personal trainers should know the doctor’s diagnosis, the treatment and what the doctor recommends. Personal trainers are not physical therapists but depending on the diagnosis, they can complement the doctor’s orders.

Roch, M.D.:
“They can work in substituting other modalities, other equipment, other exercises, other stretching programs that can work as an acceptable substitute for the patient.”

Check over a personal trainer’s credentials. Look for certification and experience. A good trainer will educate, motivate and make the program simple enough that you can eventually do it on your own.

If you’re involved in a program that hurts, or if you feel pushed beyond your level, it might be time to shop around for another personal trainer.