Certified Trainers: Why We Need Them

Because many people play sports, trainers are often overlooked. But, their expertise is valuable to our society and their work serves to prevent injuries. Here’s why certified trainers are important.

In the same way that a lawyer studies law in college or a psychologist is trained in psychology, sports professionals should also be trained. Certified trainers help athletes, fitness fans and newbies in their workout routines. In fact, coaches with an official certificate are essential for the well-being of athletes!

What’s the importance of certified trainers?

A person can’t and shouldn’t practice as a lawyer just after having read the constitution of their country. Nor can anyone be a psychologist for being good at listening to the problems of others.

In sport, exactly the same thing happens: sport is recognized as a science and must be developed by professionals with their corresponding official preparation! Because of this, you should always look for actual certified trainers to help you out.

In today’s article, we’ll cover why certified trainers are so important. Of course, as a fitness magazine, we strongly recommend seeking the advice of professionals. They’ll have optimal preparation and are backed by official certificates from your country.

Certified trainers: official degrees in Spain

Within the official degrees in sports, in Spain, you can obtain different degrees. Starting in 2019, many countries require trainers to be officially certified to perform their duties. Thus, in Spain, sports law covers this and prescribes the need for certification among trainers.

Here are some of the certifications a trainer can achieve in Spain:

Bachelor or graduate in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (CAFD)

A Bachelor’s degree is just one of the highest qualifications that you can achieve in any country. In Spain, it gives you the right to train others on a physical level and it involves four to six years of college-level studies.

In Spain, a Bachelor’s in Physical Activity consists of approximately 240 credits. Each credit is equivalent to 48 hours of work/study. That is, it covers a total of 11,500 hours of training. We could say, then, that a trainer with a Bachelor’s degree is a true expert in their field!

Teaching degree with a specialization in physical education

If we compare it in military ranks, this Bachelor’s would be the officers and the teachers, the noncommissioned officers.

Although teacher training is usually focused on the education sector, a Phys Ed teacher also has notions in physical preparation. In turn, this can be complemented with minor degrees or further educational outlets.

If a trainer becomes certified as a Physical Education Teacher, their main employment field will be as a physical educator in public, private or concerted schools. They can also work in early childhood, primary, secondary, professional or university education.

Higher degree in Teaching and Social-Sports Animation

This certification is also known as “professional sports training” and is very common amongst certified trainers.

This certification consists of two years of theoretical and practical training, divided into approximately 14 subjects and about two thousand hours of full-time work.

It also has two academic courses and provides practical training in sports and health and leisure training processes.

Technician in a specific sport

This certification includes minor and specific training for a sport or leisure or health activity. For example, a certified trainer can have a specialization in kickboxing, spinning or CrossFit.

Because it’s such a specific degree, this kind of certification is an ideal complement to the qualifications mentioned above.

Besides these options, there are plenty of other certifications a trainer can accomplish in order to become certified. For example, there’s also the TECO training (Technician of medium degree in Conduction of Activities in the Natural Environment) for sports focused on nature. This is a highly demanded degree today, for respect and awareness for the environment.

Different trainer specializations

It’s important to note that the sports world is very broad. Because of this, a professional in soccer might not have current knowledge of athletics and vice-versa.

There are plenty of specialization fields where a trainer can be certified in. This can be a certification on its own or as a complement to the Bachelor’s degree.

The main fields of action that a trainer can be certified are:

• Sports planning and management: sports coordinators.
• Training in sports performance: physical trainers.
• Teaching in sports: teachers or professors.
• Training for leisure and health: personal trainers.

Certified trainers: other legal professions

It’s worth giving a special mention to physiotherapists. These professionals can carry out recovery or rehabilitation work in leisure, sports, and health.

Besides those certified, many journalists specialize in sports. They’re responsible for the dissemination of information related to sports in the media.

Interpersonal skills in certified trainers

A trainer needs to be certified, of course, but they also need to have innate social skills that would allow them to connect with their clients.

Of course, that “connection” isn’t something that you can learn in a classroom. Nevertheless, having certified trainers is essential to ensure the correct form of your workouts. You’ve no more excuses not to become certified, you could even become an online personal trainer!