What Can I Do?

When I began speaking out against legislation and licensure for personal training, I was accused (by those lobbying FOR it) of not being proactive. Interestingly enough, speaking out, blogging, making phone calls, emailing, and calling Senators and Representatives, all seemed like proactive activities to me. They just didn't like what I had to say.

Likewise, when I began to question the leaders of new initiatives, I was met with a surprising amount of aggression. One group in particular told me, rather than answering my questions, that it was "just wrong" to question them! Now, if that isn't a big red flag, I don't know what is.

As for working to raise the bar of personal training, the answer lies in education, not regulation. We accomplish this by continuing to educate the public about professional personal trainers, respected and accredited certifications, and safe and effective fitness training. We do this through public forums such as newspaper and magazine columns, public speaking, corporate networking, and empowering our own clients with a true knowledge of this industry. We also, (when legislation is proposed in our own state) call, write and meet with our Senators and Representatives to educate them about our industry. Always stay within your scope of practice and knowledge, and strive to be the best that you can be.




What you can do to fight unfair legislation is--first and foremost--be informed! Question things that people tell you, especially if it involves something that will affect your career. Watch this blog site, do your own research, look into the stance of organizations like the ACSM, NSCA, ACE, IHRSA, NBFE, etc. Learn everything you can learn about this industry and about how government really messes things up when they regulate the occupations of others.

Once you are armed with the facts, begin speaking out against any expansion of government into our livelihoods! Tell your fellow trainers, talk to others, and become active in discussion forums and blogs, and MONITOR YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT! If someone comes to your state lobbying for such nonsense, make sure your voice is heard! Call and email your representatives and tell them NO! Take any steps you can think of to head off the horrible onset of government regulation. Contact other trainers everywhere and tell them what is going on! Get the word out--the right people will hear it and spring into action.

It has been demonstrated that if anyone is going to look out for our best interests, it is going to have to be us, starting with each and every individual. We must become educated about the dangers and fallacies of licensure, and forceful standardizations and big business. We must be aware of, and warn each other about, legislation that will affect our industry—never keep it a secret. We must get involved with the democratic process by first becoming fully informed, and then making informed decisions based on likely outcomes and not idealistic hopes we are influenced into believing as facts. Lastly, we act on those decisions by making sure that our voices are heard.