Most trainers i see don’t keep a record of their client’s progress. Is this common?

I think it is more common not to track. I track everything I do. I also see that they don’t actually design programs or have plans before they are standing in a session with a client.

I believe this is very common.

I think it is because many personal trainers don’t know how to write an exercise prescription nor do they know how to progress it. Take the time to ask a personal trainer what are the principles of writing an exercise prescription and listen for the response. If you can’t write an exercise prescription, then there is no need to keep records.

I sure hope that this is NOT the standard! Keeping records should be a basic part of record-keeping for your training business. After all, we as trainers collect important health-related information such as fitness assessment results, health forms etc., and we spend time talking to our clients about their goals, and the importance of consistency of exercise etc. Keeping a file and records for each client should be a part of the package. It shows our clients that we are serious about our profession and the client’s health and progress.

If not keeping records is a common practice amongst trainers I would be surprised and dismayed.

LaRue, MHA, JD, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
[email protected]

Keeping an exercise log is important to see clients progress and to show them how far they have come. When you have more than a few clients you can go back to see where is your client and avoid mixing up their workouts.

A sad SAD TRUTH about this industry is almost anybody can obtain a PT certification very easily b/c of all the different programs that are offered. Personally, I feel we should have education time relatable to what Dr’s go through, including clinicals. Think about it…we are a major factor in preventative method’s for avoiding sickness/disease & the question has to be asked if it’s common for PT’s to NOT track a clients progress…WOW! It is our mission to keep the health of an individual so they can refrain from putting poisons, toxins & harmful/dangerous chemicals called medicine, so-called legal drugs into their body. If I’m seeing a professional who is supposedly helping me obtain & maintain health, yet they aren’t tracking my progress so we both are informed on where I am not only in my journey to & in health, but also if my original goals are being met…that is a BIG problem! If you are working w/ a trainer that is not recording your progress you should find a new trainer!