What is your experience, can I see a copy of your current certification or your college degree in a related field? These are question that all to often go unasked by people looking to work with a trainer.

We have been in the fitness industry for a combined 19 years and most days wouldn’t trade it for anything but every once in a while it drives us crazy! We recently read an advertisement in the mail about a “trainer” we use to work with. The credentials of this person were completely false!

For the record here are our credentials: Crystal Reeves B.A. Exercise Science and Health NASM Master Trainer Certification # 1470113 NASM Certified Personal Trainer Certification # 1390437 NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification # 1377120 NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS) Certification #1454650 NASM Women’s Fitness Specialist Certification #1456440 DotFit fitness professional 8 years of experience Russell Wynter NASM Master Trainer Certification # 1470114 NASM Certified Personal Trainer Certification # 1422176 NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist Certification # 1388997 NASM Golf Fitness Specialist (GFS) Certification # 1446230 NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS) Certification # 1454717 NASM Customized Integrated Injury Prevention Program Certification # 1381464 NASM Group Personal Training Specialist (GPTS) Certification # 1470127 NASM Sharecare Certification Certification # 1383271 DotFit fitness professional 11 years of experience Unfortunately, almost anyone can call themselves a personal trainer. Just because you were an athlete doesn’t make you a trainer (we were also athlete in high school and college) just because you “workout” doesn’t make you a trainer. A 30 minute online certification doesn’t make you a trainer. Because you have read one book doesn’t make you a trainer.Just an FYI also because someone is working at a gym doesn’t mean they hold a current NCCA accredited personal trainer certification. Many gyms will hire people with no experience and just require that with in 90 days they become certified. We will tell you we would not want our mothers or sisters working out with one of these individuals! And I hope you would NOT trust your fitness to one of these individuals! So if you are currently working with a trainer or in the future are going to hire a personal trainer please ask about his/her credentials. You are trusting your health to someone make sure they are qualified. The more health issues and current or previous injuries you have will require a veteran certified personal trainer. Also make sure his/her certification is current. Every 2 years we have to apply for re-certification. Continuing education credits make sure we stay up to date with current information in the ever changing fitness industry. This has been a little bit of a rant but if you take anything away from it I hope it is this:Please make sure you are working with a NCCA accredited personal trainer. Our preference here at Madsweat in NASM! National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) Accredited Personal Trainer Certification Organizations. Here’s a list of NCCA certifications in no particular order. American Council on Exercise (ACE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), International Fitness Professional Association (IFPA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF), National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA), National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Certification CommissionThe Cooper Institute

Note: There are several other personal trainer certifications currently applying for accreditation.