Many registered nurses and physical therapists are getting into the training
business. They tend to know a lot about how muscles work; what’s more,
they may be able to accept insurance reimbursement if a doctor recommends
training for treatment or rehab purposes.Experience ............................................................................................
Choose a trainer who has at least two years of experience at a club or on her
own. Be sure to check references. The best way to get the lowdown on a
trainer is from other clients. Also consider your own needs: If you’re looking
to have a detailed program designed, you have medical conditions or injuries
that require experience, or you have specific athletic goals you want to reach,
look for someone with many years of experience.Brochures .............................................................................................
An in-home trainer should have a brochure or packet describing her back-
ground and experience as well as her focus and philosophy. (Trainers
employed by a single health club probably won’t have brochures, although
clubs may post information about their trainers’ qualifications.) The packet
also should clearly explain fees, payment schedules, and cancellation policies.
Printed materials show a degree of professionalism. Many trainers also have
their own Web sites. Clients can go on the Net and peruse the trainer’s bio,
photo, and sample workouts.Liability insurance ...............................................................................
Make sure your trainer has insurance to cover any mishaps that may occur.
Many trainers have you sign a release, but this doesn’t absolve them from
responsibility and from using safe and appropriate judgment, like asking you
to bench-press 250 pounds during your first workout.Lawsuits against trainers are unusual but not unprecedented. The widower of
a health-club member who died of a stroke filed a $40 million suit against his
wife’s trainer for giving dangerous nutritional advice. (The club was also
named in the suit.) According to the suit, the trainer recommended ephedra,
an herbal supplement that has been linked to dozens of deaths and should
never be taken by people with high blood pressure. At the time, the woman
was taking prescription medicine for hypertension.50 Part I: Getting Your Butt off the Couch