Why do you guys ask trainers for nutrition advice?

c2sky

I'm a trainer. I'm flattered that people think I have all the answers, but I don't. Yes, thi is similar to another post I just posted, but I wanted to put a subject line out there that was more direct. This is a serious issue that MUST be addressed on this site.

I continue to see people post on here that they ask their trainers for nutrition counseling. But I ask you "would you go to a registered dietician for your exercise program?" Then why, oh why do you continue to say, "My trainer told me..." when it comes to your food planning????????????????????

I know, unnamed trainers and fitness instructors, who have become celebrities (I'm thinking of at least 3) all have their own books, videos, diet plans, supplements etc. So you think that we should also be able to give you just the perfect food plan, as your trainer. In some cases, books put out by trainers might have a food plan section under the direction of a dietician. But people still see the so called "trainer" as the expert. It really irks me because I know that many famous "trainers" don't have any real credentials other than they look good, lost weight themselves, or were fortunate enough to train a big name celebrity. Then they can sell anything from books to grocery items.

But any nationally accredited certification (of which I have held 3 personal trainer certs and beyond, including ACSM American College of Sports Medicine...the gold standard for the industry) all require trainers to sign a code of ethics forbidding promoting supplements or specific nutrition counseling. We can offer general guidelines, and make a few suggestions within certain guidelines, but it is very general stuff.

But folks, if your trainer does not refer you to a registered dietician, they are doing you a disservice, unless they are one themself. You would spend maybe just a little more per hour talking to a dietician. They really do know the answers to the questions I see on here all the time. Education does matter. Is education everything? Of course not, but it's vital.

The other type of questions people ask trainers are stuff that should be asked of a physical therapist.

Look, we want to help you, we really do, but we love you enough to refer you to the experts. And if your trainer gets bent out of shape because you want to see a dietician, ask them, "Well, how would you feel if I went to see the dietician for my workout program?"
Edited by c2sky on Wed 02/22/12 03:37 PM

johnwhitent

I had no idea that trainers had to sign a code forbidding giving nutritional advice. Personally, I think of a trainer as someone dedicated to fitness and health and therefore more knowledgeable than I am in all areas related to those topics. I certainly know that trainers are not nutritionist, but by virtue of their chosen profession it seems reasonable to assume that they must be interested in nutrition, though not expert. As a corollary, there was a recent topic here about an MD who gave some horrible incorrect advice regarding exercise and nutrition. I was amazed at how many posters said "if your doctor recommended it you should follow her advice, she is a professional." That doctor had clearly strayed into areas in which she was not knowledgeable, yet she felt comfortable speaking as an authority. I read up on things a lot and then ask the opinion those that I come into contact with that I respect for their results, then just weigh everything and make my own at least partially informed choice. I would (and have) ask a trainer for nutritional input. But again, I recognize them not as a nutritionist, just as someone with some personal experience and knowledge on the subject. One piece of the decision matrix.

Sublog

I'm a trainer. I'm flattered that people think I have all the answers, but I don't. Yes, thi is similar to another post I just posted, but I wanted to put a subject line out there that was more direct. This is a serious issue that MUST be addressed on this site.

I continue to see people post on here that they ask their trainers for nutrition counseling. But I ask you "would you go to a registered dietician for your exercise program?" Then why, oh why do you continue to say, "My trainer told me..." when it comes to your food planning????????????????????

I know, unnamed trainers and fitness instructors, who have become celebrities (I'm thinking of at least 3) all have their own books, videos, diet plans, supplements etc. So you think that we should also be able to give you just the perfect food plan, as your trainer. In some cases, books put out by trainers might have a food plan section under the direction of a dietician. But people still see the so called "trainer" as the expert. It really irks me because I know that many famous "trainers" don't have any real credentials other than they look good, lost weight themselves, or were fortunate enough to train a big name celebrity. Then they can sell anything from books to grocery items.

But any nationally accredited certification (of which I have held 3 personal trainer certs and beyond, including ACSM American College of Sports Medicine...the gold standard for the industry) all require trainers to sign a code of ethics forbidding promoting supplements or specific nutrition counseling. We can offer general guidelines, and make a few suggestions within certain guidelines, but it is very general stuff.

But folks, if your trainer does not refer you to a registered dietician, they are doing you a disservice, unless they are one themself. You would spend maybe just a little more per hour talking to a dietician. They really do know the answers to the questions I see on here all the time. Education does matter. Is education everything? Of course not, but it's vital.

The other type of questions people ask trainers are stuff that should be asked of a physical therapist.

Look, we want to help you, we really do, but we love you enough to refer you to the experts. And if your trainer gets bent out of shape because you want to see a dietician, ask them, "Well, how would you feel if I went to see the dietician for my workout program?"
Edited by c2sky on Wed 02/22/12 03:37 PM

Also, should include M.D. as well. They are Doctor's, not nutritionists. Most are extremely intelligent, but (some) know little about nutrition.

c2sky

I'm a trainer. I'm flattered that people think I have all the answers, but I don't. Yes, thi is similar to another post I just posted, but I wanted to put a subject line out there that was more direct. This is a serious issue that MUST be addressed on this site.

I continue to see people post on here that they ask their trainers for nutrition counseling. But I ask you "would you go to a registered dietician for your exercise program?" Then why, oh why do you continue to say, "My trainer told me..." when it comes to your food planning????????????????????

I know, unnamed trainers and fitness instructors, who have become celebrities (I'm thinking of at least 3) all have their own books, videos, diet plans, supplements etc. So you think that we should also be able to give you just the perfect food plan, as your trainer. In some cases, books put out by trainers might have a food plan section under the direction of a dietician. But people still see the so called "trainer" as the expert. It really irks me because I know that many famous "trainers" don't have any real credentials other than they look good, lost weight themselves, or were fortunate enough to train a big name celebrity. Then they can sell anything from books to grocery items.

But any nationally accredited certification (of which I have held 3 personal trainer certs and beyond, including ACSM American College of Sports Medicine...the gold standard for the industry) all require trainers to sign a code of ethics forbidding promoting supplements or specific nutrition counseling. We can offer general guidelines, and make a few suggestions within certain guidelines, but it is very general stuff.

But folks, if your trainer does not refer you to a registered dietician, they are doing you a disservice, unless they are one themself. You would spend maybe just a little more per hour talking to a dietician. They really do know the answers to the questions I see on here all the time. Education does matter. Is education everything? Of course not, but it's vital.

The other type of questions people ask trainers are stuff that should be asked of a physical therapist.

Look, we want to help you, we really do, but we love you enough to refer you to the experts. And if your trainer gets bent out of shape because you want to see a dietician, ask them, "Well, how would you feel if I went to see the dietician for my workout program?"
Edited by c2sky on Wed 02/22/12 03:37 PM

Also, should include M.D. as well. They are Doctor's, not nutritionists. Most are extremely intelligent, but (some) know little about nutrition.

good points. But I don't know what a doctor has to sign off on.

suziecue66

No offence to registered dieticians but they would be the last ones I would ask for nutrition advice if they are promoting government dietary guidelines.

Also, if a trainer can't be very helpful about nutrition then they shouldn't be a trainer. Diet and exercise go hand in hand.

c2sky

I had no idea that trainers had to sign a code forbidding giving nutritional advice. Personally, I think of a trainer as someone dedicated to fitness and health and therefore more knowledgeable than I am in all areas related to those topics. I certainly know that trainers are not nutritionist, but by virtue of their chosen profession it seems reasonable to assume that they must be interested in nutrition, though not expert. As a corollary, there was a recent topic here about an MD who gave some horrible incorrect advice regarding exercise and nutrition. I was amazed at how many posters said "if your doctor recommended it you should follow her advice, she is a professional." That doctor had clearly strayed into areas in which she was not knowledgeable, yet she felt comfortable speaking as an authority. I read up on things a lot and then ask the opinion those that I come into contact with that I respect for their results, then just weigh everything and make my own at least partially informed choice. I would (and have) ask a trainer for nutritional input. But again, I recognize them not as a nutritionist, just as someone with some personal experience and knowledge on the subject. One piece of the decision matrix.

Yes, John, I know that most people didn't know it, which is why I am letting folks know. Unfortunately too many trainers are ignoring this. Yes, we do receive nutrition education, and we are tested on that knowledge. But individual nutrition is a matter for a dietician, and exercise program design is what we are schooled in. Ideally, I would have degrees and experience in psychology, biochemistry, nutrition, anatomy, exercise science, kinesiology, physiology, and certain types of law. But then I would have to charge a lot more. So we receive basic education in all, with emphasis on excercise program and design.