The recent explosion in the fitness industry, while a welcomed anomaly, has fallen victim to what most do when growth occurs too quickly. That is, an imbalance of quantity over quality – this, pertaining chiefly to the self-proclaimed professional service providers. This shallow rise in popularity has attracted those whose motives are dictated primarily by monetary means, seemingly diluting the efforts of those truly qualified. What makes one qualified? Is it simply possessing a noteworthy physique? Unfortunately, this welcomed notion has sustained a watering down of the educative standard in the fitness world. This narcissistic acceptance has paved the way for those with no education to act as nutrition advisers; those without even rudimentary understanding of muscular function to personal train; those with no competitive physique experience to coach for contest preparation. This approval of mediocrity by the consumer has created a continually steeper uphill battle for those who have undergone the necessary formal training – those not driven by monetary means, but rather passion, professionalism, and the unique opportunity to learn. While there certainly are good nutritionists, trainers, and coaches available, how does one discern what constitutes “good”? At its fundamental core, the decision to hire one of these service providers is a financial investment with the expectation of change – therefore one must ask, is it even worthwhile?
Are You Coachable?
While the decision to hire any of the the above providers is ultimately up to the client, serious self-reflection is a necessary, yet often forgotten about, step that must be addressed before answering. Not all are compliant, yet curiously hold the assumption that someone else can bear the burden of their physique demands. By hiring one of these service providers an understanding must be reached early on – the client must be willing to accept that the provider is only capable of advising and no more. No one has the ability to force another to change. And so, one of the criteria one must ask themselves prior to coming to a decision is, “am I coachable?”. If one is willing to learn and remain humble throughout the process, the natural next step should be seeking out well qualified individuals. What qualifications are these?
Nutritionists Require Formal Schooling
Nutritionists require formal schooling from an accredited university – this is a simple, indisputable fact. Nutrition is a complex science with applications stemming from primarily from organic and biochemistry – something that is not taught (or taught well) through elementary online certification programs. Those specializing in sports nutrition have to comprehend complex physiological processes and their nutritional influences. This is no easy task, requiring countless hours of schooling and supervised clinical practice. Claiming to be a nutrition “expert” is highly suspect – usually these (somewhat impressive sounding) titles (or their derivations) are simply made up. The mere surface-level grasp of nutrition these individuals possess does not warrant the right to advise others, yet is a common occurrence. Your defense to this? Ask about their educational background and professional experience and determine it’s validity – this straightforward approach should thin the mass of proclaimed nutritionists considerably.
Trainers & Coaches
In contrast, the label of personal trainer is a rather blurred credential. While there are several certification programs that are held in higher regard, these do not reach a significant level of merit, at least in my eyes. So how does one become a good personal trainer? A proactive approach coupled with critical intuition as a result of experience with a multitude of clientele is necessary. A growing understanding of physiology and anatomy only further bolsters these criteria. A good personal trainer hears the voice of the client and develops a plan to meet their unique needs – many are guilty of providing nothing more than an unexceptional, misguided blueprint. The distinguishing factor between a good and subpar trainer is the acknowledgment that there is no blueprint.
For one to claim the title of “coach” (as there is no formal schooling or credentialing program), they must embody the aforementioned criteria – a challenging and respectable task. Most importantly, a good coach is in the constant pursuit of more education. It’s rather easy to let an authoritative position feed the ego. The growth of the ego is the absence of open-mindedness, the lack of humility to accept gaps in knowledge.
In Closing
So, should you hire a nutritionist, personal trainer, or coach? As these are services offered here, the apparent answer should be a resounding yes. Yet, it is not so simple of answer. This blog post is not meant to be taken as a shameless sales pitch, but rather serve as insight into an industry with questionable motives. Take time for deep consideration on the matter – be sure you that whomever you work with has your best interests in mind and that the potential for a strong relationship is present. Moreover, realize that being a coachable client is not necessarily an easy task – be honest about the work required on your end, ensuring that your personal goals take top priority in your daily routine. With that mentality, the full capacity of a coach, nutritionist, or trainer can be realized.
Thoughts?