Oct
28
The words “celebrity trainer” and “scandal” go together so rarely that I’d be remiss not to talk about the recent Tracy Anderson dramarama. Anderson, the woman Gwyneth Paltrow has referred to as an “exercise genius,” is Paltrow’s personal trainer. She also, until quite recently, worked with Madonna. However, ever since Madge severed her relationship with Anderson, the trainer has received a load of bad press, including this Daily Beast blog post that accuses her, among other things, of lying about appearing in Cats. What’s of more interest, to me anyways, is that Anderson also apparently misled clients about her fitness qualifications.
The moral of the story: don’t be shy about asking your personal trainer what her certifications are.
One of the most popular personal training certifications in Canada is administered by Can-Fit-Pro. “Our personal training specialist (PTS) certification ensures the trainer has the foundational skills and knowledge to design and deliver a safe and effective fitness program,” says Nathalie Lacombe, the organization’s certification director.
The certification process, which can take up to six months to complete, includes over 25 hours of in-class instruction. To maintain their certification, Can-Fit-Pro certified trainers must also hold a valid CPR certification and earn continuing education credits every year.
So, whether it’s from Can-Fit-Pro or elsewhere, make sure your trainer is certified before you commit to a relationship. And if she says she used to be in Cats, ask to see a photo.
