What makes for a qualified person in any vocation? Before I attempt to answer that question, let me tell my story of why I chose the health and fitness industry. Here I was after earning a hard-earned graduate degree in business, and working a decent, respectable job in my area of study, yet I wasn’t happy. I had no passion for the vocation I had chosen. I’d heard of people who were happy with their job and that it wasn’t even work for them; it was something they very much enjoyed. They were having fun. They didn’t mind going to work. They were doing exactly what they were truly passionate about. I wanted that too – a job I could be passionate about!

So I asked myself, “What was it that I really enjoyed? “ After taking a closer look at how I spent my time (outside the job, I really didn’t like) and asking those who were closet to me – in other words, who knew me well – I then discovered that my love, my passion, a job I knew I would enjoy doing for years to come that would not only benefit me but others was in the area of health and nutrition. I believe wholeheartedly that we are to remain active as well as to enjoy our life to its upmost! Thus, my renewed career focus was to be the best health and fitness professional I could possibly be. I did my homework and discovered exactly what it entailed to be recognized as the best in the industry.

The questions you need to ask when seeking a qualified health & fitness professional are:

(1) Does he have the appropriate certifications?

(2) Does she have an excellent reputation in the industry, as well as, an outstanding reputation with clients?

(3) Does she have overall good communication skills?

In addition, a personal trainer should be educated and certified through a reputable fitness organization. Remember this person’s job is to assess your fitness level, set up a program for you and keep you motivated for this individual’s job is to safely push you past your comfort level–something difficult for you to do on your own.

Now where do you go to find a “qualified trainer”, an individual who will educate, motivate and inspire you to reach for the sky; an individual that knows his/her stuff that will protect, motivate and get you the results and lifestyle change you so desperately want! My recommendation is to do your research before you make that kind of investment. It can be costly!

A good place to start is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The NCCA accredits programs that meet its standards.NCCA accredited programs is the only place on the Internet where you can compare accredited personal training certification programs. There, you will soon discover that not all trainers are equal when you compare accreditations and standards in the industry.

In short, there are over 400 organizations in the U.S. that purport to certify personal fitness trainers. Of that number, about a handful are considered legitimate by most professionals. Among the most respected are the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the American Council on Exercise (ACE). The better organizations have specific requirements based on tested and practical knowledge, mandatory retesting at renewal periods, and continuing education.

Again, my recommendation is to take heed and do your research! Don’t assume just because a personal trainer works at a fitness center that they carry the credentials they boast. Ask to see their credentials; write the name as it appears on the certificate and the certificate number. Then do your homework and call on the certifying organization(s), for they will be more than happy to provide you that information. In short, seek and you shall find a happy, healthy fitness journey with the right professional for you!