Personal trainers can help you reach your fitness goals and many people like the idea of having someone who will keep them on track and will help them train properly. Many celebrities work with personal trainers to get into their best shape, and there is now a large market for noncelebrity people who want to have great results, too.
Unfortunately, personal trainers can vary widely. Some are highly qualified and professional and help you reach your fitness goals. However, there have been instances where people were injured after following a personal trainer’s diet or have sustained serious injuries from incorrect training. If you want to avoid sports injury but want to work with a personal trainer, there are a few tips you may wish to consider:
- Work with a trainer who is hired by a gym. Personal trainers hired by a gym are vetted and trained by the gym. You can always ask the company how their personal trainers are selected. In addition, since the gym or company is responsible for liability, they do tend to take extra precautions to ensure their professionals are safe. Ask your gym whether their trainers are insured.
- Talk to your doctor first. Your doctor understands your health concerns and physical condition so they can make informed recommendations about your ideal diet and fitness routine. Ideally, you can work with both your trainer and physician to get the best results. If your trainer offers radically different advice than you doctor, follow your doctor’s lead.
- Do your due diligence. Research a personal trainer’s past training and education. Are they qualified to make dietary recommendations? Have there been complaints about this trainer? How satisfied are other clients? Ask to speak to the trainer’s past clients and ask them about their credentials, certifications, and insurance.
- Set reasonable goals. Trying to do too much too soon increases your risk of serious injury. Talk to your trainer about your goals and keep them reasonable so you are not tempted to overexert yourself.
- Stay alert for red-flag signs. Be wary of personal trainers who offer “guaranteed” results or who make unreasonable promises—such as that you will lose multiple pounds every week. Each body is different and all bodies take some time to get into shape. A personal trainer who is making grandiose promises is unlikely to be able to meet them and may push you too hard to get you big results fast.
If you have been injured in a gym or by a personal trainer, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) to arrange a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation with a Hollywood sports injury attorney. We can help you understand what your legal options and can explain whether you may seek compensation in your case.