Tips to consider before picking an athletic or personal trainer

FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia – (March 6, 2023) – March is National Athletic Training month, which is a great time to put it into the spotlight. It’s a field that is growing much faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and it’s a position that serves an important role. While many people may call themselves athletic trainers, that doesn’t mean they are actually qualified. It’s important to know how to select the right athletic or personal trainer to work with.

“There are a lot of unofficial programs online and around the country that claim to provide athletic training education,” explains Jennifer Scherer, medical exercise specialist, certified personal trainer, and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. “If you want to work with an athletic trainer it’s important to know what to look for to get the most out of the time and money spent.”

An athletic trainer, according to the BLS, is someone who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. They tend to work in colleges, universities, schools, hospitals, fitness centers, doctors offices, and professional sports teams. A personal trainer, on the other hand, lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, according to the BLS. A high school diploma is typically the only qualification needed to be a personal trainer.