Having your own personal trainer or fitness coach isn't just for celebrities and athletes; anyone can benefit from hiring a professional for your fitness needs.
Many fitness professionals go by names such as fitness coach, personal trainer, fitness instructor, athletic coach, or kinesiologist. Each title has some differences, so let's break it down.
Most professionals go by the title "personal trainer"; they are qualified to work with the general population and help them improve their fitness and health. Personal trainers typically have a certification through a course or diploma and have liability insurance. Personal trainers work in commercial gyms, private studios, rehabilitation clinics, or online. Many personal trainers specialize in working with specific populations like older adults, pre and post-natal clients, athletes, or youth, which often requires additional education. Many personal trainers are knowledgeable in general health and nutrition. Personal trainers do not offer direct billing, and clients can not claim the service under insurance.
A fitness/wellness coach often works on overall wellness, including physical fitness, nutrition, and mental health. A personal trainer typically creates and implements workout plans to help clients achieve specific fitness goals. A Fitness/wellness coach may work more closely with clients to address issues related to stress management, sleep, and other lifestyle factors that can impact overall health and wellness.
A fitness instructor is a professional who leads group fitness classes, such as aerobics, dance, yoga, or strength training. They are responsible for creating and leading exercise routines that motivate and challenge participants while ensuring they exercise with proper form and technique. Fitness instructors do not generally offer personalized training plans or one-on-one sessions, and they may have a different level of certification or education than a personal trainer or kinesiologist. Many fitness instructors in Saskatchewan are registered with the SPRA (Fitness Leadership (spra.sk.ca))
Strength and Conditioning Specialists are fitness professionals who specialize in improving exercise performance. These professionals will work with athletes or those needing to train to pass a fitness exam for a job such as a firefighter. Strength and conditioning specialists typically work with people who are above average athletically to push them to a higher fitness level. However, they can still work with the general population.
Coaches can refer to anyone who coaches clients or groups. Some coaches lead sports teams, after-school athletic programs or individuals and may or may not have a certification in personal training. Most coaches have gone through a certificate or course before coaching professionally; here's an example: Training and Certification - Athletics Canada.
Kinesiologists have completed a degree in Kinesiology and coursework in personal training, strength and conditioning, and exercise physiology. Kinesiologists would register with CSEP either as personal trainers or exercise physiologists. Kinesiologists may work alongside Physiotherapists in rehabilitation settings, guiding athletes during their training programs or writing exercise programs for those with medical conditions like stroke or heart disease. Check out the CSEP website to learn more About Us - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
Personal trainers, Coaches and Strength and Conditioning Specialists are not the same as Athletic, Occupational, or Physiotherapists. Those professions require a professional degree and are responsible for diagnosing and treating conditions such as injuries.
What can a fitness professional do for you? Say you have been sedentary for a while due to an injury or illness; a personal trainer can help create an exercise program to start moving again safely. If you may be already active but want some guided instruction on how to reach a specific goal, such as running a marathon, entering a sport, or weight loss, then a trainer, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, or Sports Coach would be a perfect fit. Trainers, fitness instructors and coaches are excellent at teaching their clients how to exercise with the correct form, what exercises will help clients reach a specific goal, how to prevent injury, and how to keep clients motivated. Fitness/wellness coaches are skilled in assisting clients to break bad habits regarding exercise and healthy eating. They can offer advice on how to recover from strenuous activity. If you are looking for a professional to help you improve your fitness and health, check out our directory of excellent trainers and coaches in your area.
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