Anyone can tell you they are a personal trainer. You can get a certification online, in fact. But just because someone spends hours in the gym working on their own body, does NOT make them qualified to instruct others.
Take Bob, from the Biggest Loser. He is probably one of the most well known “personal trainers”, inspiring millions via television each week. He also sells a ton of exercise DVDs and endorses a ton of fitness products. He is NOT, however, qualified in some areas, especially KETTLEBELLS! (just like his counterpart Jillian Michaels)
He released a video on his training site on how to do the Turkish Get Up. His form was terrible and his instruction was completely wrong. I really wanted to share the video clip but it appears it has been pulled from his site. I guess some good has come from the backlash that he received on his “form”.
Bob obviously has no formal training with kettlebells and honestly I don’t even know what certifications he holds. Usually when someone is a qualified trainer, they have a myriad of letters after their name. These refer to certifications earned and demonstrate knowledge in the field. I’ve never seen any letters after Bob’s name, have you?
disclaimer: I love Bob and would love to workout with him someday but please, don’t let him do anymore kettlebell instruction until he gets some for himself!
So gang, when you are considering a trainer, make sure they are qualified, especially in the exercises you are interested in!
Have you ever had a trainer or instructor who was obviously unqualified?
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One that I’ve had was interesting. He had me do elevated leg dips and when I was done on one side, I started to do the next. he said, “you don’t have to do the other side, you already worked it through balance.” I really questioned that and when we would move to a new area of the gym, he would sit down and ask me, what I thought I could do as far as weights and then have me go get them. He didn’t assess or help with anything. That was the only day I worked with him.
I’m disappointed in Bob, especially after the Jillian fiasco. He should have know better. But I can’t be mad at him, because he looks too hot in that pic! The girl on the right is ruining the photo. Please blob her out next time.
Yum Yucky´s last [type] ..How to Feel Good About Not Exercising
interesting read! I know some people like that. She are trainers but really have no clue!! Some of them are training people to run races and they have never even run one themselves. I would have a hard time with that.
I’m really glad you’re here setting the record straight!
KCLAnderson (Karen)´s last [type] ..A Letter To My Teen Self
Personally, this was some of the reason that I stopped watching BL. I’m not convinced on either of their certifications, or what makes them qualified.
Todd
(working on those initials)
Todd´s last [type] ..Who Else Wants a Great Glass of Wine
Crazy how those two are so riding the fads on this. Yes kettlebells are in right now, but I watched jillian’s dvd once and thought, yikes, think I might hurt myself. If I ever try kettlebells I’d like to go to a real instructor who can teach me how NOT to hurt myself lol.
Bob and Gillian should put the kettlebells down and step away.
I think “TBL” may have peaked and is on its way down. Maybe now we can have a show that’s really about health and fitness, not about exploiting vulnerable people, screaming at them on camera, and forcing them into unhealthy behaviors (losing 8 pounds a week?!?!?!) all for our entertainment.
Thank goodness they took it down!
Eschelle´s last [type] ..Weight Training for Dummies
I love Jillian and Bob but I won’t be trying their kettlebell DVDs. I’m not down for getting hurt!
Retta @ RunRettaRun´s last [type] ..Let’s Talk Relationships
Are you guys serious? Questioning what certification Bob has??? Just because he didnt do the kettlebell work out to your satisfaction, doesnt mean he does not know what he’s doing. First of all who’s to say that you know the correct form?? This man has helped thousands of people. He has been a tremendous help on BL, and no one can do better than Bob & Jillian. When you work out or do DVD’s, you always seem to use your own form and techinque, because it’s rather hard to duplicate what you see on TV most of the time. Only you know what feels right to your body. There’s no one that has the perfect form, or stand, or whatever you’d like to call it. Until you can get on a national show & save people’s lives. You shouldnt try to belittle someone else’s. We need more dedicated trainers like Bob, and less haters like yourself. As far as a certification who really gives a …… ? You know the man knows what he’s doing, thats why he’s getting paid the big bucks! I also know plenty of trainers that does not use letters behind their name!!!!
actually, certification does matter, especially with kettlebells. The way he was showing the move was dangerous and putting his trainee at risk with improper form. When you are holding a 30+ lb kettlebell over your head, I can’t think of anything more important than form. The reason I know this is because I went thru an intense certification for kettlebells to make sure I understood how to use them correctly and how to teach my clients.
I think bob is a great motivator and has done great things with many clients. But he clearly needs some help when trying to teach his clients how to use kettlebells.
I see it all the time. I am a RYT and have taught human bio in a university when I was a PhD student in biology and see all kinds of misinformation about nutrition and the human body all over the internet. However I know I am only “qualified” in yoga and not health and nutrition even though I have all kinds of formal training as an academic and collegiat athlete. Not only trainers, but bloggers too. It is hard in an industry like health and fitness, this industry makes a good deal of money for a reason. People need to be careful who their gurus and experts are across the board.
I wish I could see Bob doing the TGU- one of the greatest exercises you can do but a technically challenging one to demonstrate correctly and to spot/key corrections. (which is part of the PT job -give you the good keys to doing an exercise safely and correctly).
I love my kettlebell, but did not use it until I took a class from a well-trained expert on them. (though not RKC certified. but that’s a whole different story…). And I still do not feel comfortable enough with them to use them clients.
I do not know what certifications Bob currently holds, and you’re right, it’s important to have trainers who hold current certifications for one major reason: you cannot be insured as a trainer without a current cert. And when you have someone taking you through your paces in a physically demanding way you WANT TO KNOW that if they somehow screw up and you get injured that they can afford to cover the costs of your recovery.
Many states (and the fed. govt.) are about to require certs for PTs before they can work with clients. While many will still work around this law -because people like Barbell Diva will look to personality over qualifications- this should put some limit to the dangers that these untrained individuals have.
BTW, I have one of the most recognized cert in the business (NASM). And it still is a self-study/online study course.
deb roby´s last [type] ..Coping with Injury
This is one huge difference between the states and Canada. We have one nationally recognized cert, which requires a 2 year degree from college/university or a 4 year degree to be able to work with people who are injury rehabing etc. After your degree you take the certification. And that’s the only way. You can be certified through weekend courses or online stuff too but it’s not the nationally recognized cert and you’re not allowed to use the CPT designation. When I do any research in the states about pt it hurts my head. No wonder no one can figure it out.
I will happily plug along taking my degree knowing that the hours I spend learning human biomechanics and the hours and hours field training will be well worth the effort.
It is not a requirement to have a kettlebell certificationto teach it. In fact to gain the certification is very expensive hence trainers charging and arm and leg for them. But finding the a good form DVD, you can do it at home without injury. Just like any weight resistance training form is always important.. check out http://www.ontheedgefitness.com/ very simple no glam instructor.
I saw the funniest blog post by an RKC with pictures pointing out all his mistakes on the TGU. I’m not snobby when it comes to fitness and certs and I’m always open to learn BUT seriously he was making so many mistakes. And those shoes??? That’s one of the first rules of kb lifting or any serious weight training program for that matter.
Jenn (GH)´s last [type] ..I’ll take life with a side of normal please
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