Personal trainers under the spotlight

Gyms can be competitive places

By Peter Bowes In Los Angeles

A New York gym is facing a $20m (£13m) lawsuit over claims that the negligence of a personal trainer led to a woman's death.

Anne Capati, a 37-year old fashion designer, suffered a stroke while working out at the Crunch Gym in Manhattan.

This person, who was holding himself out to be a certified advanced personal trainer, was a high-school drop-out without any training what so ever

Terry McCartney

Ms Capati, who was trying to lose weight, had high blood pressure and hypertension and the trainer is said to have suggested that she take a number of diet supplements without properly spelling out the possible side-effects.

One day she complained of feeling ill but the trainer allegedly encouraged Ms Capati to continue exercising.

A few minutes later she suffered a stroke and later died.

According to a wrongful death lawsuit, filed by her husband, Douglas Hanson, the trainer "was unknowledgeable and untrained in the field of nutrition and dietary supplements".

No certification

It is also alleged that the trainer was not certified and had not even finished a correspondence course on fitness training.

"This person, who was holding himself out to be a certified advanced personal trainer, was a high-school drop-out without any training what so ever," said Mr Hanson's lawyer, Terry McCartney.

"He was held out by this gym in New York as being not just their basic level one trainer who supposedly held an accreditation from a nationally recognised agency but as a level two trainer - someone who supposedly has advanced certifications and degrees."

Mr McCartney says the gym produced certificates to back-up its claim that the trainer was qualified, although he doubts their authenticity.

In a statement, Crunch said it had "no comment as the matter is still pending."

Much interest

US gyms and fitness professionals are closely watching the case as the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the health club industry.

The tragedy has highlighted America's lack of regulation of personal trainers.

Unlike nutritionists, they can operate without meeting fixed qualifications set at state or national level.

Stephen Viens, a composer, lives in Los Angeles. In a city apparently obsessed with body image there is no shortage of gyms offering sessions with personal trainers.

Over the years, Mr Viens, who suffers from back problems, has hired numerous trainers who he believed to be certified and "technically, on paper, knew what they were doing."

However, he has had a series of disasters.

"The guy was very, very intimidating and I think he enjoyed it," he said of one trainer.

Pushed too far

It's really an area that's begging for some sort of government regulation

Terry McCartney

Mr Viens explained that on this occasion he was pushed way beyond his ability.

"It got to the point where I couldn't lift the weight, I was getting sick and he kept on screaming obscenities at me. All the other trainers were looking at him yelling at me and then at one point I just projectile vomited at the guy."

Dozens of so-called certifications are available via the Internet but many are based on home study courses with little or no practical training. The exam is often an on-line test.

"They're not really worth the paper they're printed on," said Mr McCartney.

"It's really an area that's begging for some sort of government regulation. It's entirely up to the individual employer or gym to decide what kind of standards they want to have."

Obesity problem

In the US about two thirds of adults are considered to be overweight or obese.

Brian Mackenzie wants better qualifications

While the problem appears to be getting worse, many Americans are attempting to do something about their expanding waistline.

As a result, gyms are catering for a greater cross-section of people - some elderly and others with medical problems associated with obesity.

"There's a lot of business out there for the trainers," said Robert Dosremedios, head strength and conditioning coach at the College of the Canyons, in Santa Clarita, California.

"It's all about money sometimes. The gyms don't want to lose out on potential clients."

Mr Dosremedios coaches students working towards degree level qualifications in professional athletic training.

Rigorous standards

The standard is far more rigorous than the level of education achieved by personal trainers who deal with members of the public.

"I don't think there is enough emphasis on formal physiology class-work, anatomy and basic nutrition," he said.

"If we had a law about people holding themselves out as certified personal trainers at least there would be some minimum standards," added Mr McCartney.

The most widely recognised and reputable certificates are handed out by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Earlier this year, a new body, The American Association of Personal Trainers (AAPT) was established in California.

While also offering its own certification, the AAPT's Director of Sales, Brian Mackenzie, says the organisation's aim is to establish a uniform qualification for personal trainers.

"This isn't about getting the money in - it's about helping people, educating people on the process of changing their lives, getting into better health so we don't have these long term effects that we're having in the baby boomer generation right now," he said.

In its brief statement, the Crunch gym added: "The industry is currently looking at the certification process.

"Should the industry deem it necessary to nationalise the personal training certification process, we will gladly comply with these guidelines."