Question for PT's - help!

[brenda21]

First, to any/all trainers out there, thank you in advance for your help. I figured this would be a good forum to start my research since I know many of you are knowledgable, not to mention, helpful.

I've been considering becoming a personal trainer for years now but when I would get serious something would come up and put it on the back burner. This is finally looking and feeling like the right time to start persuing my goal.

Here's the situation:
I'd have access to office space in a primary care physicians' office and could see clients there, as well as have access to physicals and medical workups done as needed (if there were health issues involved i.e. diabetes, obesity, pregnancy,etc). As their trainer I could visit the clients at their homes occasionally and would have regular (possible daily) e-mail support/question-answers sessions with the client (I'd also have a physician on hand to answer medical questions that I couldn't answer).

What type of certification would be best for this? Which programs are considered reputable? In the past I received information from the College of Sports Medicine which seemed like a very comprehensive program. I checked the internet and there are SEVERAL programs now and wasn't sure where to turn so here I am...

Also, where do I turn for answers for other PT business questions re: charges, insurance, overhead (the office space would be free), etc.

Any suggestions, ideas, help would be SO appreciated!

THANKS!!

Brenda

 

[maxwells]

Brenda --

Actually, I just returned from a certification course at The Cooper Institute (in Dallas, TX) that was absolutely fantastic. Their PFS (personal fitness specialist) course is considered one of their basic certifications. They offer more specialized courses as well but suggest taking the PFS course as a foundation. I would say CI (Cooper Institute) is very reputable. Their research is published in many reputable publications (JAMA, etc). This particular course is really focused on the process of getting clients to lead healthy lifestyles (and why it is important). The CI subscribes to a 5 step process. 1. Medical screening (which makes your location very desireable), 2. Exercise and Nutrition assessment (where is the client now in terms of their exercise and nutrition), 3. Goal Setting (where do they want to be or where should they be), 4. Exercise and Nutrition prescription (for all components of fitness - flexibility, cardiorespitory, absolute strength, dynamic strength, body composition) 5. Adherence

I got more out of this course than I ever expected. They offer it as a 5-day course OR as a 2-day course (practical and written testing...but you have to come to Dallas) with 12 video tapes that they send to you in advance. I believe they refer to the video tape option as the "PFS for the busy professional" or "PFS fast track". You watch all the tapes and study the manual and then come to Dallas for a 2-day review/testing session.

I highly recommend this course and feel like I will definitely be a much better trainer because of it.

Good luck and feel free to ask me any additional questions you might have!

Shonie