A friend of mine Dalton Keene, located out in Washington State graciously answered a few questions for me about his career as a Nutrition and Corrective Exercise Specialist.
- Tell us about what you do:
I help individuals achieve certain fitness goals, including but not limited to weight loss, strength training, toning, or overall health management. I do this by creating or revising specific workout routines and helping with nutrition plans.
- What does the title of Fitness Trainer entail?
It entails leading, instructing, and motivating individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercises (exercises for the heart and blood circulation), strength training, and stretching.
- How did you get into this?
I have always been passionate about sports and exercise. I chose to obtain my first national certification at the age of 18 and then applied as a personal trainer.
- What kind of exercise do you give your clients? How do you determine what is best for them?
The exercises that I have them do can range from dynamic, functional, plyometric, corrective, strength based, or aerobic. I determine what is best for them by finding out what their goals are and then assessing their physical capabilities and movement patterns.
- How do you create diets for your clients? What foods do you include in these diets?
I don’t create diets for clients. I provide nutritional guidance on dietary choices, amounts, and tools that help track. I suggest nutritionally dense foods that my clients will adhere to.
- There are illnesses that can be centered around fitness and diet, how do you deal with this if you notice an issue arising with a client?
If I notice an issue arising I recommend seeing a specialist.
- What is some advice you would give to someone looking to create/implement working out and healthier eating into their lifestyle? Is this a change that can be instantly made?
Advice I would give to someone looking to start exercising and eating healthier would be to start out small, find a routine you can stick to, and track your progress.
- What are the most common mistakes or misunderstandings that you see with your clients?
The most common mistakes/ misunderstandings that I see with clients is the amount of time it takes to achieve goals and that there is a secret to getting fit, which there isn’t. It’s a combination of hard work and consistency.