Unqualified personal trainers putting lives at risk, say fitness industry experts

THE fitness industry is booming, but one of the country’s best-known personal trainers has a warning for those who want help to battle the bulge.

CELEBRITY fitness guru Michelle Bridges has hit out at personal trainers, saying that too many people are jumping on the exercise bandwagon without qualifications.

The Biggest Loser star voiced concern about the number of people in the industry setting themselves up as trainers despite being unqualified.

“It seems like every second person is a personal trainer these days,” she said. “I am still doing my work with the Australian Institute of Fitness and think it is important to have properly qualified trainers out there.”

The Australian health and fitness industry has boomed in the past five years with an increasing number of people turning to personal trainers to help them battle the bulge.

The main role of a personal trainer is to apply expert knowledge, and encourage their client to meet their goals.

With the country’s obesity level at an all-time high, combined with a culture that values a healthy body weight, wannabe trainers are rushing to cash in on a lucrative market.

The new mum has been backed by exercise watchdog Fitness Australia, which has also highlighted the need for personal trainers to be qualified, insured and registered.

Spokesman for the organisation Andrew McCallum said he was concerned there were a number of “cowboy trainers” out there operating without qualifications, insurance and basic first aid skills.

He said people’s lives were at risk if they didn’t choose a qualified personal trainer.

“We want more people to exercise but we want them to do so safely and with trainers who are qualified and registered,” he said.

Michelle Bridges says it’s important to find a qualified personal trainer. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“It’s certainly a concern for us and we are encouraging the consumer to be aware of that and ask that their trainer is qualified. Personal trainers really need a minimum fitness industry qualification, so a certificate IV in fitness, as well as ongoing training and development, CPR and first aid training.

“With more and more people entering the fitness industry compared to 20 years ago, people need to be careful,” he said.

“There are fewer cowboys out there but they are still out there.”

Originally published as Unqualified personal trainers putting lives at risk, say fitness industry experts