| Exploring the Role of a Personal Trainer(Exercise Professional) |
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Deog-Jo Jung |
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Seowon University |
Correspondence:
Deog-Jo Jung,
Email: jdj1116@hanail.net
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Received: 2 December 2012 • Accepted: 19 January 2013 |
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| Abstract |
INTRODUCTION
There is the increasing needs for personal trainers, with expanding demands that extend their roles and responsibilities. However, professional trainers generally lack adequate scientific and professional education, which could result in poor decision making by these exercise specialists. The purpose of this study was to explore the current duties performed by personal trainers, and to determine the appropriate educational and training requirements that are required to better support their actual responsibilities.
METHOD
The previous studies were reviewed in this study to assess the changing demands placed upon personal trainers and to identify opportunities for training and educational improvements.
RESULT
The study found wide variation in the roles and responsibilities held by personal trainers. This variation in job responsibilities indicated the lack of a standard definition for the duties of a personal trainer. This wide variation of duties across the profession of personal trainer impedes the attaining of the social and economic benefits that need to be supported. The indication is that the profession of personal trainer would benefit from a systematic approach to accumulate a common body of knowledge that identifies the roles and responsibilities performed by personal trainers. Further, by identifying these responsibilities it would be possible to identify academic training that would enhance their performing of these duties. A better understanding of the personal trainer’s role would serve to avoid confusion regarding job responsibilities and could elevate personal training to be a professional job.
CONCLUSION
Clarification of job responsibilities, and additional training that includes related medical education, would significantly improve job satisfaction. Personal trainers require additional educational opportunities that include: professional development, client counseling, management of clients, and medical training. Moreover, it is suggested that the establishment of a national certification for personal trainers would be an important step towards improving the personal trainers’ economic and social role within the law |
| Keywords:
Personal trainer(Exercise Professional), Personal training, Exercise specialist, The role of the personal trainer |
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