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A
Trainer’s Scope of Practice Creed
By Nicki Anderson
 The
majority of personal fitness trainers (PFTs) work with
the “general” deconditioned population.
Often when clients come through our doors they have
visions of dropping dramatic weight and looking much
like the celebrities they see on TV. As trainers it
is our job to be as up front as we can with our clients
and help them to clearly understand our role in their
fitness journey. The worst thing a PFT can do is set
her clients up for failure by allowing them to believe
in results that are not possible. If we are clear from
the get-go on our role, and if we can provide realistic
expectations for them and a clear understanding of our
“partnership,” then—and only then—will
they be able to realize success.
Try providing your clients with a “Trainer’s
Creed” that helps define your role as well as
theirs from the start. Following is the creed I developed
and which I give to all new customers.
Trainer’s Creed
I am a trainer, educated to teach you how to live
a more active life and take the safest and smartest
route to a healthy lifestyle. I am not a doctor, a
dietitian, a psychologist or physical therapist. I
am a trainer, educated to instill the correct exercise
techniques and programs, no more, no less. Therefore:
- As a trainer, I can help you and inspire you, but
I cannot cure you.
- As a trainer, I can provide a solid foundation for
you, but I cannot make you happier, thinner or perfect.
- As a trainer, I can give you proper education but
I cannot do the work for you.
- As a trainer, I can encourage you and challenge
you but I cannot prevent the natural peaks and valleys
of your fitness journey.
- As I trainer, I can walk you through the process,
but I can’t guarantee it will be easier.
- As a trainer, I can believe in you but you must
believe in yourself.
- As a trainer, I can hope for years of active living,
but only you can choose to be active.
- As a trainer I can make you stronger, but I can’t
make you indestructible.
- As a trainer, I can hope that your success will
inspire other’s success, but you must believe
success is possible.
- As a trainer, I can give you the best of my experience,
knowledge and encouragement but in the end, it is
you, my client, who must decide and commit to living
the life that I know is possible for you.
- As I trainer, I know that only you can make it happen;
only you can open yourself up to the realities of
healthy living and allow yourself to be inspired.
I am privileged everyday to inspire you and the rest
of the world to fitness. My profession is my passion
and my purpose.
For more great tips on working with clients the
Reality Fitness way, you can see Nicki Anderson speak
on four important topics this week in Manhattan at
the IDEA
Personal Trainer—NYC® Conference. She
will be teach about Success Rules for Women (session
# 104); Cancellations, Excuses and Unrealistic Expectations
(session #132); Women and Weight Loss (session #201);
and Looking Forward: What’s Next in Personal
Training? (session #222 ).
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