H20 Personal Training

Personal training in the water is the latest trend for aquatic specialists.  The one-on-one format gives the client the personal experience not found in a group setting.  Water‘s natural resistance and balance provides the perfect setting for water training to get a great total body workout!

Why does one need a personal trainer when there are group classes?  There could be a variety of reasons someone would seek a trainer to provide a personalized program suited to his/her specific considerations.

·         Sports Injury  (shin splints, plantar fasciitis, stress fracture)

·         Orthopedic Concern (hip replacement, knee replacement)

·         Special Populations (Parkinson’s Disease, arthritis, diabetes)

If you are thinking of beginning personal training in the water, it is necessary to become a Certified Personal Training for land through a reputable organization, such as ACE (American Council on Exercise), ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) or NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association).  The principles for training are the same and it gives you a land-based background.   It is also necessary to be a CERTIFIED water instructor, thus allowing for the difference in strength training using equipment in water.  The Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) provides the Aquatic Fitness Professional certification worldwide.  To learn more about the AEA Certification CLICK HERE or to find a location near you CLICK HERE

Being an aquatic personal trainer requires some background work and studying.   Attend a workshop about special populations.  Study, learn and design programs for arthritis, ankle injuries, hip and back injuries.   Research your community for physicians and physical therapists that use water as modality for training.  Most patients must continue their exercise outside the realm of a physician’s care.  One-on-one training can be a rewarding experience for the client and the trainer. 

The initial client interview helps you to learn more about the individual including personal goals, health background information and fitness level.  Typically you want to include the following:

·         Review Exercise and Medical History with a Lifestyle Questionnaire

·         Physical or Functional Assessments: land-based assessment, water assessment, or client-observation

·         Client Goals

Once the individual becomes a client, I follow these Seven Steps to Success for creating an individualized program:

·         Step 1  Consider Assessment Date

·         Step 2  Establish Intensity of Training Zone

·         Step 3  Determine Type of Training

·         Step 4  Calculate Duration of Training

·         Step 5  Determine Frequency

·         Step 6  Design & Monitor the Program

·         Step 7  Design Warm-up and Cool-Down

So expand your career into aquatic personal training – this can be a lucrative and rewarding opportunity!

NOTE: For additional information on aquatic personal training – ideas on training tools, sport specific programs, marketing, goal setting & time management, working with who have Parkinson’s Disease and much more! – be sure to read the October/November 2007 issue of AKWA magazine.  If you don’t currently receive AKWA, join AEA today as the publication is just one of the many benefits of membership!!

Reference:  

Plunge Into Aquatic Personal Training, “Creating Individualized

Programs”, Pokorny, Huff and Powers, IAFC conference 2007.