Answers (8)
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Hi Debi. Can you expand on what you mean by "illegal?" I think that "appropriate" touch is a large part of personal training. Spotting, stretching, correcting body alignment or positioning are all a part of good training in my opinion. I use a lot of PNF stretching techniques, particularly with my athletes, but also with regular fitness clients, and touch is a part of that technique. I may be missing your question here, so if you could explain what you mean by "manually stretching a client" perhaps I can give you a better answer. Thanks for your question!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
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Debi, while I don't think it is at all illegal, I believe fitness professionals must respect their scope of practice. Working outside of one's scope of practice can have legal implications.
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Hi Debi,
As an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer, I can only tell you what the ACE code of ethics has to say in regards to this topic. The following is taken out of the Fourth Edition of the ACE Personal Trainer Manual, Appendix A, pages 664-665.
"Working in the fitness profession requires you to come in contact with many different people. It is imperative that a professional distance be maintained in relationships with all clients/participants. Fitness professionals are responsible for setting and monitoring the boundaries between a working relationship and a friendship with their clients/participants. To that end, ACE-certified Professionals should:
"Never initiate or encourage discussion of a sexual nature.
"Avoid touching clients/participants unless it is essential to instruction.
"Inform clients/participants about the purpose of touching and find an alternative if the client/participant objects.
"Discontinue all touching if it appears to make the client/participant uncomfortable.
"Take all reasonable steps to ensure that any personal and social contacts between themselves and their clients/participants do not have an adverse impact on the trainer-client or instructor-participant relationship.
"If you find yourself unable to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a client/participant (whether due to your attitudes and actions or those of the client/participant), the prudent course of action is to terminate the relationship and, perhaps, refer the client/participant to another professional. Keep in mind that charges of sexual harassment or assault, even if groundless, can have disastrous effects on your career." -2010, American Council on Exercise
My answer:
Life has taught me one lesson above all else--Perception is Reality.
I think most other fitness professionals would agree that you have to use sound judgment and very clear communication if you choose to engage in hands-on contact with a client. I was taught to use the Tell/Show/Do method of instruction. Tell the client how to do the stretch. Show the client on yourself how to perform the stretch. Let the client do the stretch and use verbal cues and demonstrate on yourself again if you need to correct the stretching form. After you've tried all of that, it may be necessary to give the client physical feedback/cues in order to help the client understand proper form.
In this instance, ask if the client objects to such physical contact, warn the client where you will be touching, then fully explain why you are touching the client in that area. Some areas you should just never touch, obviously. Areas too close to the genitals or the breasts should always be off limits--just a matter of principle in my honest opinion.
Above all else, document! Be sure to write in your notes where you touched that client and WHY!
As far as contact being illegal, I know of no national or state law prohibiting a trainer from touching a client, but that doesn't mean that there isn't one out there in your state.
Like LaRue said, PNF stretches require a partner. They can also be dangerous and result in injury if not done correctly. I've done a fair amount of PNF stretches with clients, and I can say that the PNF stretches are probably the "most intrusive" type of contact that a trainer can or should ever have with a client, just because it requires the trainer to be so close and apply a fair amount of force to the client. It's all about professionalism. Be professional, and most people should recognize that sometimes, touching is just a part of the relationship.
ALWAYS GET PERMISSION TO TOUCH, even with your veteran clients! ALWAYS DOCUMENT the occurrences!
I know that was a lot, but with a topic as important as this one, I view it as essential.
I hope this answered your question somewhat.
As an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer, I can only tell you what the ACE code of ethics has to say in regards to this topic. The following is taken out of the Fourth Edition of the ACE Personal Trainer Manual, Appendix A, pages 664-665.
"Working in the fitness profession requires you to come in contact with many different people. It is imperative that a professional distance be maintained in relationships with all clients/participants. Fitness professionals are responsible for setting and monitoring the boundaries between a working relationship and a friendship with their clients/participants. To that end, ACE-certified Professionals should:
"Never initiate or encourage discussion of a sexual nature.
"Avoid touching clients/participants unless it is essential to instruction.
"Inform clients/participants about the purpose of touching and find an alternative if the client/participant objects.
"Discontinue all touching if it appears to make the client/participant uncomfortable.
"Take all reasonable steps to ensure that any personal and social contacts between themselves and their clients/participants do not have an adverse impact on the trainer-client or instructor-participant relationship.
"If you find yourself unable to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a client/participant (whether due to your attitudes and actions or those of the client/participant), the prudent course of action is to terminate the relationship and, perhaps, refer the client/participant to another professional. Keep in mind that charges of sexual harassment or assault, even if groundless, can have disastrous effects on your career." -2010, American Council on Exercise
My answer:
Life has taught me one lesson above all else--Perception is Reality.
I think most other fitness professionals would agree that you have to use sound judgment and very clear communication if you choose to engage in hands-on contact with a client. I was taught to use the Tell/Show/Do method of instruction. Tell the client how to do the stretch. Show the client on yourself how to perform the stretch. Let the client do the stretch and use verbal cues and demonstrate on yourself again if you need to correct the stretching form. After you've tried all of that, it may be necessary to give the client physical feedback/cues in order to help the client understand proper form.
In this instance, ask if the client objects to such physical contact, warn the client where you will be touching, then fully explain why you are touching the client in that area. Some areas you should just never touch, obviously. Areas too close to the genitals or the breasts should always be off limits--just a matter of principle in my honest opinion.
Above all else, document! Be sure to write in your notes where you touched that client and WHY!
As far as contact being illegal, I know of no national or state law prohibiting a trainer from touching a client, but that doesn't mean that there isn't one out there in your state.
Like LaRue said, PNF stretches require a partner. They can also be dangerous and result in injury if not done correctly. I've done a fair amount of PNF stretches with clients, and I can say that the PNF stretches are probably the "most intrusive" type of contact that a trainer can or should ever have with a client, just because it requires the trainer to be so close and apply a fair amount of force to the client. It's all about professionalism. Be professional, and most people should recognize that sometimes, touching is just a part of the relationship.
ALWAYS GET PERMISSION TO TOUCH, even with your veteran clients! ALWAYS DOCUMENT the occurrences!
I know that was a lot, but with a topic as important as this one, I view it as essential.
I hope this answered your question somewhat.
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Hi Debi
Consider these 3 things
Personal space
First, are you comfortable with touching your client? What are the boundaries of your personal space, what are your client's? How do you know when you have crossed your space boundary or your client's. Perhaps best to have a clear spacial plan.
The agreement.
If you and your client both agree that manual stretching is part of the protocol, than so be it. Personally I do not believe that you teach people anything when you do it for them, however there is some advantage to helping clients stretch. Professional athletic trainers do it all the time. About 14 years ago, at an ACSM conference, we were taught PNF stretching. While, I, in my 16 years of personal training have rarely used the technique it does have value for increased range of motion.
Expertise
What training is available for PNF, or other methods of assisted stretch?
All the best to you
Danielle
Consider these 3 things
Personal space
First, are you comfortable with touching your client? What are the boundaries of your personal space, what are your client's? How do you know when you have crossed your space boundary or your client's. Perhaps best to have a clear spacial plan.
The agreement.
If you and your client both agree that manual stretching is part of the protocol, than so be it. Personally I do not believe that you teach people anything when you do it for them, however there is some advantage to helping clients stretch. Professional athletic trainers do it all the time. About 14 years ago, at an ACSM conference, we were taught PNF stretching. While, I, in my 16 years of personal training have rarely used the technique it does have value for increased range of motion.
Expertise
What training is available for PNF, or other methods of assisted stretch?
All the best to you
Danielle
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Is it illegal? Manual stretching falls under the physical therapists, message therapist, chiropractors, etc. scope of practice. With that being said there are many types of stretching; facilitated (trainer assisted), passive (trainer assisted), acytive, active isolated, dynamic, PNF, and who knows how many more. I hope you see where I am going with this. There are many types of stretching and it gets pretty in-depth. Giving guidelines to stretch is one thing, but stretching somebody out is tricky. I read a news story a few years ago where a trainer was stretching out a clients scalenes and tore them, leading to severe nerve damage. While I do assist in stretching out my clients I do not manually manipulate that is outside of a "trainers" scope of practice.
As far as touching a client, I have never had any kind of problems with touching clients, nor am I afraid to do so. I do let them know what I am doing before I do it.
As far as touching a client, I have never had any kind of problems with touching clients, nor am I afraid to do so. I do let them know what I am doing before I do it.
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I have participated in applying assistance to a clients stretch however, I would NEVER take the reigns to personnally stretch them. I do not hold the valid credentials for applying such practices and will not overstep my boundaries. With this said, I do participate in facilitating a client's stretch as long as they remain in total control and onnly after I have attained their approval. I see nothing wrong with a skilled trainer doing this and have never incurred legal issues as a result of it.
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I find it important to stretch my clients after I have trained them. It makes them feel relaxed and its a cooldown. As a graduate of the American Academy of Personal Training in NYC they taught us specific ways how to stretch our clients. We were told that due to certain circumstances in the past some trainers became too close to there clients. I was taught how to properly stretch a client. There is nothing wrong with this as long as you are skilled in stretching.
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I always ask, "Is it ok for me to hold your leg"?
I will assist with a stretch but not "stretch them" per se, and as I am assisting I will ask, "is this ok?" or "How does that feel"?
I had a trainer stretch my legs out and I did not like it! How did she know my limitations?
I teach my clients and give them alternatives for stretching so they can do it on their own!
I will assist with a stretch but not "stretch them" per se, and as I am assisting I will ask, "is this ok?" or "How does that feel"?
I had a trainer stretch my legs out and I did not like it! How did she know my limitations?
I teach my clients and give them alternatives for stretching so they can do it on their own!
