Buyer Beward: Fitness Boot Camps and Undereducated "Trainers"

 Today's rant is brought to you courtesy of  several things which have been eating me up for many months with the proliferation of "boot camps" on every corner.
Given the way I look and what I do for a living, the conversation generally drifts towards fitness so I get a lot of feed back about local programs.  I also make it a point to attend every one of the "boot camps" in the area so I can  make an educated comparison to perspective clients as well as to keep with my never ending goals to always provide better programs.

Lastly, I recently received a groupon that really set me over the edge finally pushing me to write this post. 

BUYER BEWARE!! They Walk among us !!   These are the undereducated "trainers"  denigrating the integrity of my profession and making a mockery of the $60,000 and 10 plus years I've  invested in my education, taking money for ineffective or potentially injurious programs and in general, perpetuating fitness myths and gym science while dolling out fitness advice online under the guise of being an "expert".

If you are hiring a "trainer" because you like them or because the camp is fun and you want to workout with your friends, disregard this. If you are paying money for effective results, programs  which won't injure you, burn you out or add yet another "fitness failure" to your life  ... read on

 NOT ALL "PERSONAL TRAINERS"  ARE CREATED EQUAL

The moral to the story?

• Don't assume adequate education because their shirt says "trainer" on the back or because they have a fancy, sales driven website. The fact is that there are over 500 "certification" organizations out there many of which do not even require hands on or practical testing to receive "certification"   In fact, for $89, you can take an 80 question online test and have your "certified bootcamp instructor" certification autoresponded to you once your cc goes through.
• KNOW your "trainer's" background and education
• Ask "By whom" are you certified NOT "are you certified"
• Research the certifying Body and decide if THAT is the person to whom you want to give your money or entrust your body 
• Think about the source of the "fitness expert" whose  online advice you are following and repeating
• Look deeper than the great marketing pages or "sensational" before and after pictures

In some cases, you will actually see results without getting injured because, let's face it, just like the science teacher who ate McDonalds and started walking, any exercise is better than none and will produce change.  In most cases, however, at best , you will waste your money on ineffective programming, at worst, you will be injured or fail on your program by receiving in appropriate advice or programming.

Look for NASM, ACSM or C.H.E.C.K certifications or a degree in Ex Phys if you want to be sure you are getting what you are paying for ... a competent and adequately trained fitness professional who can help you achieve your goals.

As seen on Groupon ....

National Council for Certified Personal Trainers - Online Deal

$148 for Online Personal-Trainer Certification ($495 Value)

$148 

Value	Discount	You Save
$495	70%	$347

Limited time remaining!

Over 20 bought

In 17 years working with over 1500 clients I have found that one of the BIGGEST indicators of success for a client is starting a program at their current fitness level which, for most people is 2 - 3 times a week.  THE KEY to achieving  the body you have always wanted is starting at your body's CURRENT fitness level and making progressive advances .  Over training, injury  and burn out are the reason only 5 % of people will make it past the first 6 - 8 weeks of an exercise program .  

What I have found?   
Trainers with minimal education leading hordes (10 plus) people through a range of exercises which are, at best , ineffective to their goals and at worst, dangerous due to poor form or underlying injuries or muscle imbalances. In this picture alone, not one person in view is doing the exercise correctly and 2 of them are headed for serious shoulder injury and it was rated a "#1 camp in the area".


Anyone who knows me knows that I train all out having completed a Marathon carrying 20% of my body weight and having crossed 80 finish lines in combat boots and Marine Corps field gear.  Now, would I train the majority of our clients to that intensity level?  Um .. no.  I've gone 27 years without missing a week of workouts and through proper and effective training  have ensured that I have no muscular imbalances and no strength disparities.

"Boot Camps" have been all the rage for 5 or 6 years with Cross fit and all of the cross fit knock offs and Insanity type programs which are fine IF

1. You are fairly fit upon entering the program 
2.  Have no muscular or structural imbalances 
3. Have a general basic knowledge of proper form

Did you know:

1. There are over 500 "certification" bodies out there the majority of which do not even require a hands on type test before handing out their "certification" 
2. For under $100,  anyone can go online, answer a few questions and get an auto responded "certification" as a boot camp instructor.
3. I recently saw an add on groupon for $148 (supposedly regularly $549) to become a "certified trainer".

I am in no way saying  that people some people do not get great results at large boot camps or through programs like PX90, Insanity or Cross fit. Personally, I love insanity and have been doing that style of workout with our clients for years and pop into one of the local "Cross Fit" centers a couple of times a month for cross training and to get out of my regular gym.

What I am saying is that people also over train, become injured and quit or waste time and money with ineffective programs when they could be happily achieving their goals on the proper program for their goals and still be living in the body of their dreams years later instead of looking for the next "magic" bullet.
 
  End rant !!

If you have  quit your last group fitness program because of injury, over training, time or intensity level or are starting to come up with reasons to miss a session ....

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  In Health, 

Dianne Villano - Your Personal Body Transformation Expert Custom Bodies www.mypersonalfitnesscoach.com  

727-742-0816