Training Guidelines

by PTontheNET Library | Date Released : 15 May 2002

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Personal trainers shall not diagnose illness or treat injuries, except for the preliminary treatment of an injury following basic first aid measures.
- Example: Placing ice on an ankle if injured in the gym.
Personal trainers shall not recommend specific supplements, medicine or curative practices to clients for specific illnesses, injuries, or health conditions unless the personal trainer has additional appropriate credentials/certifications to make such a recommendation.
- Example: Suggesting to a client to take anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofin, for a sore joint.
Personal trainers shall not train clients with serious diagnosed chronic health conditions unless they have been specifically trained and certified to provide training to individuals with such conditions or are following the procedures prescribed and supervised by a physician.
- Example: Following specific exercise guidelines given by the physician if an individual is diabetic or has high blood pressure (hypertension).
Personal trainer shall not begin training a client before the personal trainer has received and reviewed a signed, comprehensive health history from the client.
- Example: Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
Personal trainers shall ask the client, before each training session, if they are currently experiencing any specific pains or health problems or if they are taking any specific medications that might be affecting them.
- Example: Hypertensive client taking Beta-Blockers (affects heart rate), any specific pains in the ankles, knees, hips, low back, shoulders or neck.
Whenever a personal trainer becomes aware of an undiagnosed illness, injury or a risk factor, the trainer should immediately advise the client to contact the appropriate medical or allied health practitioner.
- Example: Consistent dizziness, weakness and/or headaches when training, chest pains
No personal trainer shall offer specific and individualized nutritional advice, unless they have been specifically trained and certified to do so.
- Example: Providing a specific diet for a diabetic client to follow.
If, in the course of personal training, a client experiences any unusual pain or discomfort, the trainer should immediately discontinue the training session and advise the client to see a physician or appropriate medical professional.
- Example: Client experiences consistent radiating pain down the back of the leg when squatting.
No personal trainer shall engage in personal training unless he or she has had first aid training and certification to use CPR and AED (if an AED is available on site for use).
Personal trainers should be certified or they should be licensed in a related field such as physical therapy or athletic training.
- Example: If a trainer’s degree is in Business Management, they must successfully attend a nationally recognized personal training certification, such as NASM, ACE, ACSM or NSCA before training clients.

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