Personal trainers are fitness professionals who work one-on-one with clients, and who also teach small group fitness classes. If you’re looking for someone to take you through one-on-one instruction, it’s important to find a personal trainer who fits your goals. (Personal trainers should not be confused with Athletic Trainers, who are medical professionals trained to assess and treat athletic injuries.)
The first step to finding the right person is to write down your fitness-based SMART goals. Knowing your own goals can help you narrow your list. Gym staff members have specialties listed in their biographies, so you can also ask the gym staff who they recommend based on your goals. Once you find your trainer, one of the first things they will ask is, “What do you want to get out of this?”
Next, understand the credentials after coaches’ or trainers’ names. You’ll see all sorts of different ones, some more difficult to understand than others.
The first step to finding the right person is to write down your fitness-based SMART goals. Knowing your own goals can help you narrow your list. Gym staff members have specialties listed in their biographies, so you can also ask the gym staff who they recommend based on your goals. Once you find your trainer, one of the first things they will ask is, “What do you want to get out of this?”
Next, understand the credentials after coaches’ or trainers’ names. You’ll see all sorts of different ones, some more difficult to understand than others.
National Strength and Conditioning Association credentials
National Academy of Sports Medicine credentials
The Army has the Master Fitness Trainer, and the Marines has the Force Fitness Instructor. The Air Force and Navy also have physical training leaders, but they don’t receive the same level of in-depth training that the MFT and FFI do. The MFT and FFI are educated in strength-and-conditioning principles. They are qualified to help you develop a physical fitness program. One of the best things about MFTs and FFIs is that they are free and in-house. No need to pay expensive gym fees and personal-trainer subscriptions.
Which one is best?
Every category has pros and cons, and each is viewed differently by professionals within the industry. Credentials give you an idea of a professional's expertise and approach to fitness, but they don’t inform you of a professional’s work ethic, enthusiasm, or abilities. Look into their experience. Have they worked with others similar to you? Are they new to the industry, or have they been in it for a while? Don’t discount the new people. They are often the most current when it comes to best practices. Finally, do you get a good vibe from them when you meet for the first time?
If you’re having trouble deciding what route to go when finding your personal trainer, submit an Ask the Expert question to HPRC. We can help guide you in your decision to find someone who is the right fit.
- NSCA is one of the oldest strength-and-conditioning organizations. The process is rigorous for trainers to obtain their certifications. Their credentials require continuing education over a 3-year certification period.
- CSCS, or Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, is the gold-standard credential for strength-and- conditioning trainers. It is the only fitness credential that requires a Bachelor’s degree. The term “coach” in strength-and-conditioning training is usually reserved for CSCS. Professionals with CSCS credentials often work in sport or tactical settings with athletes, Military Service Members, and first responders. The CSCS credential is an indication of how a fitness professional values human and athletic performance, as opposed to taking a health-based approach to physical fitness.
- TSAC-F is a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator. Owned by NSCA, the TSAC-F credential is for the layperson or fitness professional who works with tactical populations, such as the military and first responders. People who hold this credential have the expertise to understand your job-related physical requirements. They are able to design strength-and-conditioning programs to optimize physical job performance.
- NSCA-CPT is NSCA’s Certified Personal Trainer credential. Professionals with CPT specialize in creating individualized programs to promote health and fitness. The difference between CPT and CSCS is that CPT is geared more towards developing fit, healthy individuals, as opposed to high-performing athletes.
National Academy of Sports Medicine credentials
- NASM is another fitness organization that provides fitness credentials to professionals. Their credential process is not as rigorous as NSCA’s. Their CPT credentials require continuing education in a 2-year certification period.
- NASM-CPT is similar in concept to NSCA-CPT. However, the education and testing process is different since it comes from a different organization.
- PES is a “Performance Enhancement Specialist” and is similar in principle to CSCS. It is for the professional who wants to focus on developing athletic and human performance. By comparison CPT focuses on basic health and physical fitness.
- CES, or Corrective Exercise Specialist, teaches professionals how to assess a person to find specific physical strengths, weaknesses, and imbalances. They program specific workouts to address any identifiable deficits. CES-credentialed professionals don’t necessarily gain the in-depth personal training or strength-and-conditioning education that comes from some other credentialing processes.
The Army has the Master Fitness Trainer, and the Marines has the Force Fitness Instructor. The Air Force and Navy also have physical training leaders, but they don’t receive the same level of in-depth training that the MFT and FFI do. The MFT and FFI are educated in strength-and-conditioning principles. They are qualified to help you develop a physical fitness program. One of the best things about MFTs and FFIs is that they are free and in-house. No need to pay expensive gym fees and personal-trainer subscriptions.
Which one is best?
Every category has pros and cons, and each is viewed differently by professionals within the industry. Credentials give you an idea of a professional's expertise and approach to fitness, but they don’t inform you of a professional’s work ethic, enthusiasm, or abilities. Look into their experience. Have they worked with others similar to you? Are they new to the industry, or have they been in it for a while? Don’t discount the new people. They are often the most current when it comes to best practices. Finally, do you get a good vibe from them when you meet for the first time?
If you’re having trouble deciding what route to go when finding your personal trainer, submit an Ask the Expert question to HPRC. We can help guide you in your decision to find someone who is the right fit.
About the Author
Tim Gribbin, of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, is a Senior Scientist for the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).
Disclosure: The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of USUHS or DoD.The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The author has no financial interests or relationships to disclose.
