New Clients - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Tifferzzz]

For reference, I am 'certified' as a personal trainer under AMFPT. As many of you know, that cert. isn't to the standards (even close) of what ACSM is. Well lo' and behold, I have my ACSM manuals and I'm currently studying for the test, but in the meantime I have two new clients that I'd like to get some opinions on before I design their workout programs.

Client #1:
Age: 23
Weight: 131lbs
Height: 5'6"
Bodyfat %: 17%

Her target bodyfat (that she would like to be at) is 12-13%. The reason why I'm asking for advice on this one is because of one little notation on the paper:
'heart defect.' There's no specific information regarding the type of defect (which I'll ask her about next week) but none-the-less I really don't want to kill a client. So, for all of you intelligent people out there...what should I consider when training a client with a heart defect that exercises consistently?

In addition to that thought, my next client looks like this:
Age: 44
Weight: 270lbs
Height: 5'6"
Bodyfat %: 47%

No health problems stated, therefore obesity is the only issue that I need to face. According to what she has written down, she has been exercising consistently for the past 6 months.

Aside from each of them purchasing a heart rate monitor, could you provide me with specifics? Personally I know what my caloric/carb/protein/fat counts should be, but where do you begin with someone who is obese?

[Christina]

Hi Tifferzzz,

You mentioned that you have the ACSM study materials. All the info you need is in the book(s) and is easy to find. It would be a great chance for you to apply this material to real life. I think you will quickly realize that your clients have some red flags.

Personally, I would stop training until I had a certification that better prepared me to be a personal trainer. Personal trainers can not only injure their clients but they can get sued. Besides, in order to be a really good personal trainer you need to have a basic understanding of exercise science. As you pointed out, your AMFPT certification did not adequately prepare you to become a personal trainer.

Best of luck,
Christina