| Personal trainers and physical therapists are both | | | | include an assessment of the individual's condition as |
| involved in the fields of health and fitness. While | | | | well as an introduction to the standard aerobic |
| many people may never require nor utilize the | | | | exercise and weight equipment found in a gym. The |
| services and expertise of a therapist, it is becoming | | | | type of instruction offered by personal trainers |
| increasingly common for people to hire a personal | | | | should not be confused with the type of therapy |
| trainer. | | | | received from a state licensed and/or certified |
| The assistance of a physical therapist, or | | | | physical therapist. In fact, not all states or facilities |
| physiotherapist, is usually prescribed by a doctor to | | | | require specialized training, certification or licensing for |
| assist in healing and rehabilitation of the body after a | | | | personal trainers. |
| serious injury or illness. Therapy offices have medical | | | | Many personal trainers do take classes in rehabilitation |
| equipment that is designed for rehabilitating injuries, | | | | after injuries, or in targeting weak muscle groups. In |
| including specially designed tables, exercise machines, | | | | fact, some may have specialized training or |
| weight or strength training tools, and other | | | | certification in physiotherapy that may additionally |
| equipment that might not be found in a gym or | | | | qualify them for continuing rehabilitation after an initial |
| sporting goods store. Walking aids and customized | | | | course of physician-directed treatment is completed. |
| equipment for all types of injuries can be found in a | | | | But this type of training probably should not be |
| physical therapy clinic. | | | | substituted for the services of a therapist |
| While some of the weight equipment might be | | | | immediately following an injury, unless or until the |
| exactly the same as that found in a gym, | | | | patient is released by their physician. |
| professional therapists are better trained to show | | | | Professional therapists will have, at a minimum, a |
| you how to utilize this equipment correctly for your | | | | bachelor's degree from an accredited school. Most |
| injury rehab. Most weight training equipment can be | | | | states require passage of a Board exam prior to |
| used in more than one way, and if used incorrectly, | | | | issuing these licenses. |
| especially after an injury, it could do more harm than | | | | While some personal trainers do have degrees in |
| good. | | | | health related fields, this level of training is currently |
| In addition to working closely with patients during the | | | | not required. There are a variety of certification |
| initial stages of rehabilitation, therapists develop | | | | programs that range from a few days to weeks of |
| maintenance routines to help people return as closely | | | | training, so expertise and knowledge will vary widely. |
| as possible to the lifestyle they enjoyed prior to the | | | | Once the therapist and the physician have |
| injury. | | | | determined a home care and exercise maintenance |
| Personal trainers specialize in helping people increase | | | | therapy routine, hiring the right personal trainer is the |
| their fitness levels and stamina, which in turn helps | | | | logical next step. |
| boost overall health. With the popularity of gym | | | | Nothing will replace the qualified work of a physical |
| membership on the rise, many people may find that | | | | therapist when an injury is fresh, but ongoing |
| their first interaction with a fitness coach is part of a | | | | maintenance can be done with personal trainers who |
| gym membership package. This first meeting might | | | | are properly educated and certified. |