The Right Start

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification

This is the most basic certification and even though most personal
trainers work with healthy clients, it may sometimes be necessary to
perform CPR on the client. Having a current CPR certification will also
ensure that legal liability is kept to a minimal and it is also good for
enhancing professional image of trainers and fostering client confidence
in personal trainers.

 

Emergency action plan

If working in a fitness facility, the emergency action plan should be
practised and become familiar to all personal trainers. Emergency phone
numbers should always be visible and available and the nearest routes to
hospitals should be checked out when the training is off-site.

 

Health screening for risk factors

This health screen should be provided by a medical physician
which includes the following- major risk factor identification, personal
medical history, current medication (if any), physician-determined
contraindications for exercise, cardiovascular risk profile, and chronic
illness or joint problems. Once clearance to exercise and partake in
physical training is obtained and when it is assessed that personal
training will not pose a risk of harm to the client, the trainer can start to
explain the business policies and discuss the mutual expectations of
personal training to the client.

 

Physical activity readiness

Clients should complete a standard Physical Activity Readiness
Questionnaire (PAR-Q). The form informs the client and the personal
trainer if additional medical clearance or advice is required before
embarking on any supervised or unsupervised fitness programme.

 

Personal particulars

These should include name, age, sex, body mass, stature and body mass
index, phone contact and address of the client. It should also include the
contact of a nominated person in case of an emergency that involves the
client.

 

Informed consent and professional waiver

Informed consent by the client means that the personal trainer has
discussed with the client, the possibility of injury or even death when
participating in the fitness programme. An Indemnity Form indemnifies
the personal trainer from legal liability should any harm befall the client
when participating in the fitness programme.

 

Payment policies

 

These could include:

• Monthly or per session or per hour fees.
  
• Contract-period based.
  
• Special packages for out-site or home visits.
  
• Policies for payment in advance, loss or missed session or
  cancellation.

Mutual expectations

These should be explicitly spelt out and acknowledged by the client and
the personal trainer with a signed agreement. Details may include but is
not limited to:
What the client can expect from the personal trainer.
What the personal trainer expects from the client.
Termination or refund policies.
Vacation plans (interruptions), bonuses or tardiness (latecoming)
policies.

 

Scheduling

Consider including information about:

• Are training sessions in the morning, afternoon or evening?
  
• Are training sessions fixed at stipulated times or are they flexible
  and variable?
  
• What is the frequency and regularity of training? Twice a week?
  Every other day?
  
• Does training include travelling time and therefore additional
  transport fees?
  
• What is the duration of a typical training session? 45 minutes or
  90 minutes?