Tools of the Trade

American Fitness, May, 2000 by Pat Cheung

You have the knowledge and the training, but do you have the right equipment for success?

When we examine our economy, we see a universal truth ... everyone sells something. Whether it is a farmer selling corn or a stockbroker selling investment advice, the fact is we are all, in one way or another, salespeople. People who never realize this truth seldom reach their professional potential, but those who embrace this idea often find success in their careers. I think it's safe to say we can all aspire to greater success in our professions. In order to achieve this goal, we must first understand what we are selling and, secondly, know the best way to sell it.

With that in mind, just what are personal trainers selling? Some argue they are selling an image to persuade individuals to attain certain fitness levels. Others say they are selling motivation to encourage people's quest for fitness. I agree, these aspects of personal training sometimes take the limelight, but the core product they actually sell is credible information. To put it simply, personal trainers are information vendors.

Clients go to personal trainers to learn how to exercise, eat right, lose weight, gain muscle and live healthier. They seek their expertise on these issues. It's their job to dispense information effectively and accurately. The profession demands having updated information at one's fingertips, ready for inquisitive clients. However, understanding and retaining such a broad spectrum of information is not an easy task. Fortunately, tools are now available to equip personal trainers with access to such information. As you may have guessed, these tools utilize the Internet--the most efficient facilitator of information available. Trainers have a responsibility to their clients and to their profession to exploit these cutting edge tools. Recently, AFAA held seminars to introduce these tools to fitness professionals. In our dedication to helping you reach your career potential, the following is a list of tools we recommend to boost your career.

Fitness Gets Personal[R]

Fitness Gets Personal[R]--This tool is designed to take the guesswork out of screening clients and providing them with personalized fitness information. Are you sure how to give clients a proper fitness screening?

The Fitness Triage[R]

The Fitness Triage[R] automates this process on the Web. Users simply fill out some personal information, and a fitness risk assessment is generated, letting clients know if they have health risk factors associated with exercising.

Exercise Gets Personal[TM] Nutrition Gets Personal[TM]

Soon, Exercise Gets Personal[TM] and Nutrition Gets Personal[TM] will also be incorporated into Fitness Gets Personal to help personal trainers generate personalized exercise and nutritional programs for their clients. All this information is accurate and up-to-date, building on AFAA's 16 years of fitness research. Without these tools, personal trainers would need to do exhaustive research to screen each client and prepare personalized regimens for them.

CT1[TM]

CT1[TM]--Before you can manage your client's exercise and nutritional regimen, your need to track your client's daily caloric expenditure. This information is crucial to tracking a client's progress. The CT1 is a simple, easy-to-use device that looks just like a pager. It allows your clients to accurately monitor their caloric expenditure by measuring and recording body movement. The CT1 is worn on the waist and continuously tracks caloric burn during a particular activity, a specific time frame or throughout the day. Using a docking station with the CT1 unit, users can connect to the Stayhealthy.com Web site to track their results. Within seconds, they are able to view performance graphs, news and other personalized information designed to help them achieve their personal weight management goals. By tricking their progress through the Internet, clients can easily access their personal fitness information from any Web browser.

FitnessAge[R]

FitnessAge[R]--FitnessAge is an assessment tool that provides results your clients can relate to. Using this software, trainers can assess their clients' "fitness age" in relation to their chronological age. This presents a highly informational and motivational way to get clients to "earn back their years" through a personalized exercise and nutritional regimen. Clients are also given recommendations as to what supplements and vitamins to take in relation to their particular profile. Although the results are simple and fun, the computational algorithms are derived from standards and methods developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the YMCA. FitnessAge results, progress and information are also tracked through the Internet.

As your can see, these tools are designed to improve the effectiveness of personal trainers. As with any occupation, professionals need the right tools to perform their jobs effectively. It is our opinion that these tools will soon become standard devices used by every fitness professional. What fitness enthusiasts need from personal trainers is information that is relevant, accurate and easily assessable. By utilizing these tools, personal trainers will be equipped to handle their client's needs in the most effective and efficient manner possible.