Discussion
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Comments
This is a great paper and an idea that I nearly wrote about. I heard that EOU offered a personal trainer certification in the past, but I am not sure if that is correct? Did you explore the option of offering a class that certifies people with one of the nationally recognized programs?
To my knowledge, there was a class similar to what I am proposing in the past (as far as hands-on) but it was not a "certification" class.
The certification process can go something like this:
To become certified as a personal trainer, you should research the different certifing organizations and pick the one that fits what you're interested in the best (some have different focuses). Then you pay a ton of money to order the study materials and take a test (in the ballpark of $500 depending on the organization).
This class that I'm proposing would ideally eliminate the need for study materials and the added time spent studying those materials. I had suggested that a week of class be spent researching and presenting info about different organizations so the research aspect would be covered as well.
Because there are such a variety of certification organizations and because the tests are so expensive to take, I wanted this class to do everything up until the point of actual certification. Then the student would decide if this something they really wanted to spend the money on, if they have the money, and which certification to pursue. Eventually, if this hits off, EOU can become a testing site, and this process would be even easier.
It's not as simiple as getting certified to coach, and I think this is something the student should take initiative on their own to do, like a Praxis test.
Angela- So far I have listened to the video, but haven't gotten through your paper (gonna do that tomorrow). Your video is well done, but I would caution you about saying the word 'um'. It was a little distracting to me. If you are asked to go infront of any panel that may be a negative aspect of them approving your proposed class. I do like the idea, however, I think that it might be a more difficult class for the online individuals to complete. I know that from my experience I am working two jobs already (one full time and one part time) and adding in working at a fitness center with a member of the community will be much more difficult. Also, I am not sure if the fitness centers would be able to allow students to perform this due to insurance issues. As I said before I have just listened to the video and have not read the paper yet, so you may have covered this aspect. I'll get back to you on it if I don't see it in the paper.
I think your presentation and idea was very well thought out and a great idea. I know a lot of physical activity and health that would be interested in this course and with many of them going into physical education which we know is a diminishing field it would be good to provide other options of income for P.E. teachers. I also really like the idea of working with community members. This would provide valuable experience to the students and would be a great way to help out our community members who are struggling with weight and such. Great work good luck with your project.
I agree that this is a very good project. I think that there would be a lot of interest at EOU for a class like this. I am an Accounting major, but have thought many times that I would also like to do some personal training on the side and have wished a class like this were offered. I think there would be interest beyond just the Physical Activity and Health majors. I also like how realistic you make the proposal but doing the research for implementing a class and taking with professors on their input.
You have created a great project and proposal! I definitly think there would be a fair amount of interest from students wanting to take a hold of this opportunity. One specific aspect I really like that you have set out as a piece of the class is the term project where you pair up and have the opportunity to act as both a trainer and a trainee. It is critial to understand both sides of this as learning the skills and techniques to become sucessful as a trainer is key as well as knowing what it feels like to be a trainee is important so that you know how the trainees feel recieving instruction and as a trainer you can know how better to asist them. Overall, I think you did a great job on this project!
Angela, your paper is very well done. The idea for the class has been well thought out for those on campus. I wonder however if maybe a little more could be put together for those on line as to the qualifications of the fitness facility used and the person supervising that the individual will be working with. With that exception, I wish you luck in presenting this to EOU for approval.
I love your idea for the proposal Angela!! It actually left me excited that it may be an future option. I would be extremely interested in taking this course. A comprehensive course that encompasses the business aspects of personal training, the human management, interpersonal communications, and the core exercise science coursework is genius. It would be very helpful, to have a certification process be part of the final exam for the students as part of the course. I hope you press forward for approval for this course.
Angela, you're right, I didn't really develop what it would look like "online" as much as as the "on-campus" aspect of it. It will be a harder class to implement online, so my thought was if we can get the on-campus ideas secured first, then we would consequently figure out how to incorporate the online experience. Being an on-campus student myself and seeing the need for an actual hands-on experience, the on-campus development was my focus.
Currently, I am enrolled in a PES 409 Practicum with a personal trainer to create my own "hands on" experience. I called different personal trainers and asked to "job shadow" them in order to gain experience in this field. It's a harder field to job shadow because clients are paying money for the PT's time and sometimes they can be uncomfortable with additional people watching them work out, so you need everyone's permission.
However, as mentioned in the paper, to get hired as a Personal Trainer, you need experience. Anyone interested in Personal Training would have to take their own initiative to get that experience, as would an online student. The benefit this class adds for an online students is that gives more structure and guidelines of expectations, as well as a supervising professor and online discussion board available for questions. Plus, an additional EOU certificate.
So...if you're too busy to add in 30 hours for this Practicum, whether on-campus/online, then it may not be a class you should to take. The nice thing about Personal Training is a lot of clients meet in the morning, evening or lunch, because they have jobs as well.
Not sure about insurance. I'm doing my Practicum at a Physical Therapy clinic and they've said nothing about insurance. Good point about qualifications for online students' expereince. I think they only guidelines should be that the Supervising Personal Trainer is certified.
Lasa, I gave all my info to Dr. Dutto and he's already spoken with Dr. Mielke about it. Not sure where it will go from here, but it looks promising! Part of me actually wishes I wasn't graduating this year so I could take it! You should email Dr. Dutto and let me know you're interested!
I've read your paper and watched your presentation. Both were very well done. My only question would be regarding liability should a trainee get injured? Is Quinn Fitness Center insured to cover for injuries of their clients should it be done under an uncertified trainer? As a student, I think the idea is sound and doable. But if I was the owner of Quinn Fitness Center - I would be thinking about all the liability issues that could occur.
You have really come up with a great proposal. I agree with you on all points made especially about having all the knowledge you need but not having the experience or confidence to apply it. One item I noticed was having the current member of Quinn Fitness Center paying an additional $50.00 to have a student train them. I think you might have a larger response if it was a supplementary service available. I also agree with Angela D. and Rosette about the liability issues. You may be able to circumvent this with waivers and consent forms. Just a couple of ideas. You did an awesome job.
Great points with the liability issues. However, each member of Quinn Fitness Center uses the facilities at their own risk. As far as this class is concerned, the "clients" would be fully aware that they are being trained by an uncertified trainer and that there is a supervising teacher overseeing their program. In speaking with Sam Ghirst, EOU Athletics Business Coordinator, he didn't see the need for any additional liability coverage, as each client assumes their own risk, as long as there is no negligence. Although, upon implementation, it should be verified with a lawyer. Thoughts?
Donnelle: $50 charge may be a little steep (but $5 a week is actually really good), so that could easily be lowered. There probably will only be around 5 trainers at a time, so there really doesn't need to be a large response. I was thinking if the charge were slightly higher it would keep interested cliental lower, at a number that all people interested could be trained. It would end up being a first come, first served sign-up.