Personal Training: Continuing Education

As I have said previously in this blog, education is an important part of the personal training business. Having a primary personal training certification from a nationally-accredited organization is key and essential to establishing a professional and successful training department. But after that, then where should they go for continuing education?

Having a secondary specialization or key focus is a great method to differentiate yourself in this business. For example, if a trainer’s primary certification is through NASM, they have a great understanding of how to assess clients and program them a continuum of training that addresses a multifaceted approach of corrective exercises and core stabilization. If their secondary certification is a specialization in Kettlebells, they can then incorporate that into their program to prevent boredom.

Here are a few secondary or specialized certifications that I recommend for my personal trainers:

• Kettlebell Concepts has a great program that teaches fitness professionals a progression of how to use these tools with almost any client.
• Suspension training — whether it’s TRX or CrossCore — offers different, but very dynamic and challenging workouts for clients.
• Performance training. Most major certifications offer specializations in working with athletic populations.
• Trigger point therapy is a great certification that addresses chronic tightness and loss of flexibility, and the tools are included in the training.
• Nutrition specialization is great for any goal a client may have.
• Muscle activation provides a jump-start program for trainers on how those techniques work for clients.

Whichever one you encourage your personal trainers to get, make sure it’s one that will give them a definitive advantage in your area.

Vic Spatola is the director of personal training for Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club in Greenwood Village, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. Spatola offers consulting on personal training business development. For more information, contact him at vics@greenwoodatc.com.