Protecting Your Fitness Investment When Providers Declare Bankruptcy

July 8, 2010 - PRLog -- [Houston, TX] - July 8, 2010.  Expert Personal Trainer Tom Jackobs weighs in on the recent bankruptcy filings of two well-known fitness facilities in Houston, "It's a real shame that not only have these businesses failed, but the people they serve are going to be left holding the weight . . .  or in this case, no weights."

Certainly any business is susceptible to financial difficulties, but when you're talking about such a personal service as weight loss and fitness it becomes just another excuse for people NOT to trust a professional in their quest for better health and fitness.

Jackobs offers several suggestions on how to make sure you're doing business with a reputable health and fitness professional.

1.   During your initial interview with a potential trainer ask how long they've been in business.  If they try to force you into paying for a long term commitment up front, be wary.  Even if a long-term commitment is required, you should be able to pay over time.

2.   They must be certified by a nationally-accredited institution:  American Council on Exercise, Nation Strength & Conditioning Association, and American College of Sports Medicine.

A qualified trainer should at a minimum have a certification with one of these agencies. But that just means they’ve passed the baseline of standards to call themselves a personal trainer.  It does not mean they are good at what they do or can deliver a specific result. There is a big difference between a trainer and a fitness professional.

3.   They should do more than just “take you through a workout.”  A top-quality fitness professional does more than just “take you through a workout.” Anyone can count to 15 by themselves and hold a clipboard.

Look for a coach who will educate you about all the components necessary to achieve optimal health and a fitness result. Your trainer should review nutrition education with you, educate you about proper supplementation, review resistance training (whether that be balance training, core work, stability balls, medicine balls, etc.), cardiovascular exercise to maximize fat burning, flexibility to avoid injury and speed recovery, and really walk you through all the steps that encompass the “mental development” side.

Goal setting, putting together a plan of action, and then holding you accountable and supporting you through the entire process is absolutely critical to your success.

4.   Ask for Proof of Results.  A top fitness pro should be able to do more than just talk about results—they should be able to prove they deliver. Ask for proof of client results. Do they have before & after photos of clients, testimonials, references? Can you speak with a client to inquire about their experience working with them? If a fitness pro can’t offer this kind of concrete proof, then be careful.

5.   Ask for a Guarantee.  According to a Consumer Reports study there is more dissatisfaction in the diet industry than any other industry. That’s crazy. Think about it; if you took your car to a mechanic you’d expect it to be fixed—not come back with a leaky oil pan a loose transmission!

Working with a fitness professional should be the same as any other industry. If they aren’t willing to guarantee your results, then find someone who will. Spending your time and energy without a guarantee of results is like going to that terrible mechanic!

Don’t waste your money or, more importantly, your time working with someone who can’t offer an iron clad guarantee of your success, also don’t expect a guarantee if you don’t do your part either.

6.   Look for someone who will empower you for life!  A great fitness coach will do more than just help you to achieve your initial goals. A true professional will teach you the foundation of knowledge so you will no longer be lost in the “sea of confusion” when it comes to all the diet and exercise hype.

The foundation of knowledge and correct technique you’ll learn will allow you to maintain your results for life!

In these uncertain times, with businesses declaring bankruptcy, it’s important to protect your health and fitness investment.  Consumers will be more likely to find a true fitness professional following these keys.

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About Body3 Fitness:
Body3 Fitness is committed to the wellness of the overall person. Body3 Fitness focuses on nutrition, strength, and cardio training for optimal well-being of the individual. Owner Tom Jackobs brings extensive experience to the fitness mission. http://www.Body3Fit.com