Personal trainers and physical therapists are both involved in the fields of health and fitness. While many people may never require nor utilize the services and expertise of a therapist, it is becoming increasingly common for people to hire a personal trainer.
The assistance of a physical therapist, or physiotherapist, is usually prescribed by a doctor to assist in healing and rehabilitation of the body after a serious injury or illness. Therapy offices have medical equipment that is designed for rehabilitating injuries, including specially designed tables, exercise machines, weight or strength training tools, and other equipment that might not be found in a gym or sporting goods store. Walking aids and customized equipment for all types of injuries can be found in a physical therapy clinic.
While some of the weight equipment might be exactly the same as that found in a gym, professional therapists are better trained to show you how to utilize this equipment correctly for your injury rehab. Most weight training equipment can be used in more than one way, and if used incorrectly, especially after an injury, it could do more harm than good.
In addition to working closely with patients during the initial stages of rehabilitation, therapists develop maintenance routines to help people return as closely as possible to the lifestyle they enjoyed prior to the injury.
Personal trainers specialize in helping people increase their fitness levels and stamina, which in turn helps boost overall health. With the popularity of gym membership on the rise, many people may find that their first interaction with a fitness coach is part of a gym membership package. This first meeting might include an assessment of the individual’s condition as well as an introduction to the standard aerobic exercise and weight equipment found in a gym. The type of instruction offered by personal trainers should not be confused with the type of therapy received from a state licensed and/or certified physical therapist. In fact, not all states or facilities require specialized training, certification or licensing for personal trainers.
Many personal trainers do take classes in rehabilitation after injuries, or in targeting weak muscle groups. In fact, some may have specialized training or certification in physiotherapy that may additionally qualify them for continuing rehabilitation after an initial course of physician-directed treatment is completed. But this type of training probably should not be substituted for the services of a therapist immediately following an injury, unless or until the patient is released by their physician.
Professional therapists will have, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. Most states require passage of a Board exam prior to issuing these licenses.
While some personal trainers do have degrees in health related fields, this level of training is currently not required. There are a variety of certification programs that range from a few days to weeks of training, so expertise and knowledge will vary widely. Once the therapist and the physician have determined a home care and exercise maintenance therapy routine, hiring the right personal trainer is the logical next step.
Nothing will replace the qualified work of a physical therapist when an injury is fresh, but ongoing maintenance can be done with personal trainers who are properly educated and certified.
