once more- with feeling - you need more than *just* a PT
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
I'll hold your hand when I tell you this, but you need to hire someone who is certified.
Here is what I recently came across in my newest personal trainer certification:
*Let me explain - we have to either recertify or get a certain # of continuing education credits every two years to maintain good standing within our organization. I've been certified as a trainer for over twenty (!) years at this point. I also hold certifications in group fitness, Pilates, postpartum nutrition, you get the idea. I'm currently studying for my Personal Trainer & Certified Nutrition Coach with NASM.
This goes for ACE, ISSA, AFAA as well. I have my ACSM text from 2015 and it is more in-depth as this is more of a certification for specialty trainings and those who want to work with a clinic or hospital setting. It's still not enough.
A personal trainer would really only modify for a belly, and for fatigue. This is not enough, even for a non-complicated pregnancy.
In my Barre Babes and MamaShred Method certifications I cover each trimester of pregnancy and phases of postpartum. Your teacher should understand how our needs change on a weekly basis during pregnancy.
The postnatal period is medically defined as within a 6- month period. If you have had a kid, you know we need WAY more support than that. Your 6- week exercise "clearance" is a bit of a joke in this country. I really wish I had known that when I started working with pregnant clients at 22. Unfortunately, I assumed, like most of my cohort, that conversations on prolapse and diastasis were being had during this doctor's visit. It isn't. You will need more care.
I say this with love, and not to be snarky or call anyone out. Buuutttt...having a baby doesn't make someone an expert. Even years of experience as a trainer or teacher. Many experts started their own platform after becoming injured from their own lack of information.
Many of my clients hire me after falling victim to someone who claims to know what they're doing. Please do not judge education based off of abdominals. YOU are the only one living in your body. What works for one person might not work for you. My goal when writing my own certifications was to include every single scenario I could think of after working with thousands of women, and include room for more.
Any Barre Babes or MamaShred teacher will be able to make adjustments on the spot. This helps them be prepared and more successful in their classes. This helps you, the student, modify an exercise immediately if you start experiencing symptoms. Research proves that the longer we exercise during pregnancy leads to better birth and recovery. So having an expert help you through searing back pain, avoid lightening pain, diastasis, or prolapse, will save you in the long run.
You deserve to make informed choices when working with a trainer. No one ever asks us where we got our training, really. I think you deserve to know the level of education and experience of who you are hiring. Anyone worth your time will happily answer this for you!
Please tell your friends!!!
xoSA
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