Hank Investigates: Who’s Training the Trainers

When you think of a certified personal trainer what do you expect? Someone educated and experienced… An expert in exercise and nutrition?

But if that's true, then how did I, a TV reporter with no fitness education, get a personal trainer certification? And how did this woman with no experience whatsoever, get a job offer at a local gym?

Kathie Davis, IDEA Health and Fitness Association
"I think in some instances it is too easy for a person to be certified."

Our investigation found there are no state or federal licensing requirements or even minimum standards to become a personal trainer!

For nurses, barbers, plumbers and 43 other professions, the state makes sure people are qualified by requiring them to be licensed. But experts warn for personal trainers... No.

Kathie Davis
"There is the potential that you could get a personal trainer, who might not be educated enough and potentially could hurt someone."

Geri Seigneur didn't know that, so when her new personal trainer told her to pull down on a 90-lbs. weight, she did. Right away she felt a sharp pain in her neck.

Geri Seigneur, Victim
"I said 'ouch that hurts!'"

The injury sent her to surgery. As a result she can still barely put away dishes and can't even pick up her grandsons. She blames the trainer…

Geri Seigneur
"I was pretty mad that I trusted these people."

Lawsuits nationwide, we found, document other cases of slipped discs, shoulder injuries, broken ankles, even death. Each victim claims that the injuries were caused by unqualified, inexperienced trainers.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"So who's making sure someone, who calls themselves a certified personal trainer, knows what they're doing?"

Asst Prof. Kyle McInnis, Exercise Science, UMass Boston
"There's no governing body in personal training and fitness in general."

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"So no one?"

Kyle McInnis
"No one."

But since there are no minimum standards, our investigation found hundreds of programs are now legally offering what they call "certification." Problem is the requirements range from a comprehensive, rigorous hands-on exam to a quick take home test.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"Does having a certification mean people know what they're doing?"

Bill Howland, Int'l Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association
"No, unfortunately not all trainers are created equal."

To prove it, I took this certification test online. It was 20 multiple choice questions and three short essays. For my $39 I also got an e-book with all the answers. An hour later an email informed me I'd gotten an "A" on the exam. And a few days later my gold stamped certification came in the mail.

Now, I'm listed right beside hundreds of other "certified personal trainers" who work at major gyms across the country.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"So I could call myself a certified personal trainer and it would be legal."

Kyle McInnis
"It's worrisome to me that individuals, who have minimal qualifications, are making recommendations on major issues in one’s health."

And watch how easy it is for someone with just this same on-line certification to get a job! This 7News producer has no fitness training at all, but our hidden camera followed, as with her $39 certificate in hand, she applied for a job at this south shore gym and was instantly offered employment.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"They had no experience, no knowledge, no expertise yet they were hired."

Bill Howland
"Right. There are trainers out there, who may not have the expertise to work with you."

And our investigation found it's common practice. This study of 102 health clubs in Massachusetts found at 27of them, more than half the staff did not have "any type of certification."

Bottom line, who trained your trainer? If you didn't check it out, it's possible no one else did either.

Geri Seigneur
"I would like to issue a warning to others, who think they're getting something that they're not…That this could happen to them."

Right now your best protection is to check out your trainer's qualifications yourself.

For more information on how to find a qualified personal trainer check out the links below:

The International Health, Racquet & Sports Club Association offers this advice on how to choose a qualified personal trainer: www.healthclubs.com/choosing/clubtrainer.html

IDEA Health & Fitness Association, a nonprofit organization of fitness professionals with almost 20,000 members in over 80 countries lists questions you should ask a potential trainer here: www.ideafit.com/PersonalBest.htm

IDEA also pre-screens trainers for education, experience and background and lists them in a database: www.ideafit.com/trainerlocator.asp