0

5 Ways Fitness Trainers Benefit From First Aid Training

As a fitness trainer, it’s your job to push clients to the limits of their speed, strength, and stamina. It’s not uncommon for personal trainers to see issues such as sprains, injuries, or lightheadedness in clients. Instructors may even face medical emergencies such as heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest in extreme cases. 

Having said that… 

Many fitness facilities require onsite trainers to have first aid training and certifications such as CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), BLS (basic life support), or AED (automated external defibrillator). Even if they don’t, or if you plan to work as a freelancer, it’s always a good idea to stay up to date on first aid training. 

Oh, by the way, I don’t want to forget this — if you’re looking for affordable first aid kits, you can find kits for individuals, families, and larger groups of people at Pronto Direct.

Read on to learn more about why trainer first aid is so important for fitness professionals and how you can benefit from getting certified. 

Save Lives

When you’re out at the gym, you never know when you might be the only one to step up and deliver medical attention in an emergency. As people test their physical limitations, they’re more likely to push themselves to the brink of dehydration and fatigue. 

In some cases, gym-goers may have underlying medical issues that make intense physical exercise a health risk. Conditions such as hypoglycemia or type II diabetes make it more likely for people to experience issues such as high blood sugar, dizziness, dehydration, and exhaustion. 

Gym-goers with underlying cardiac disease or heart rhythm disorders may be at risk of even more severe health concerns when exercising. They are more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke, even with no other obvious symptoms of cardiac trouble. 

Even healthy, active individuals may experience issues with intense bouts of exercise. Strenuous exercise can damage the heart in the long term, making people more susceptible to blood pressure and cardiac disorders. Healthy individuals may also suffer from accidents such as injuries, sprains, or broken bones. 

Regardless of the issue, having proper first aid training can help you respond to emergencies appropriately. You’ll be able to address clients’ health concerns in a calm, collected manner and provide attention until medical personnel arrives. 

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of trainer first aid is learning to spot which individuals need help. As a personal trainer, you need to know how to spot the difference between a client resting between reps and one who needs medical attention. 

Stepping in to help in a medical emergency often means the difference between life and death. Providing CPR immediately after a cardiac event can double or even triple a victim’s survival chances, as it keeps oxygenated blood pumping until help arrives. 

In fact, we could avoid as many as a quarter of all ER visits with early intervention from someone trained in first aid or CPR. While serious medical emergencies may not be common while on the job, basic first aid knowledge ensures that you’ll be able to assist clients when necessary. Your training may even end up saving a life.  

Impress Employers

First aid training can make you look more impressive to potential employers and help you land the personal training job of your choice. Many gyms and fitness centers actually require their staff to have at least basic first aid training in addition to a CPR, AED, or BLS certification.

Fitness facilities have to maintain at least one first aid trained staff member on hand at all times in case of emergencies to protect themselves against liability and meet legal requirements. In some cases, a gym may need to have multiple trained staff on hand in case of guest or employee emergencies. 

With first aid training, your resume has a better chance of getting noticed than that of a trainer with no health and safety certifications. Gyms and fitness centers want employees who can bump up their number of first-aid-trained staff members to improve safety and decrease liability. 

While some gyms offer training for employees, many prefer new hires who already have first aid certifications. They don’t have to spend any time or money on training, meaning that you can get started on the job right away.

Attract More Clients

Whether you work for a fitness center or choose to freelance, first aid training can help you attract more clients. It also allows you to target high-end markets and charge more for your services.

If you advertise that you have up-to-date health and safety certifications, prospective clients will know that they’re in safe hands. People want to know that if they have an accident or an emergency while working out, you have the training and know-how to keep them safe. Otherwise, clients may not feel comfortable pushing themselves under your supervision. 

Freelancers can better promote their brand by advertising their various safety certifications. First aid training gives you a more professional appearance, even if you don’t have as much experience as other trainers. You can set yourself apart from the competition and strengthen your overall marketing campaign. 

Trusting in the competency of their personal trainer is particularly important for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions. Most at-risk gym-goers specifically seek out a trainer with extensive first aid training, as they know that they are at a high risk of health complications while exercising.

As a personal trainer, remember that it’s your responsibility to make sure clients who decide to hire you stay safe. It’s a good idea to refresh your first aid training once per year to make sure that you remain familiar with health and safety protocols. You should also keep a vigilant eye on any clients under your supervision and monitor their breathing, heart rate, and body language to ensure that they stay safe. 

Know What Medical Supplies To Have At Hand

There are many reasons why fitness trainers should keep medical supplies on hand:

1. They may be the first responders in an emergency situation.
2. Having medical supplies readily available can help the trainer provide care for minor injuries and illnesses during a workout session.
3. Having medical supplies on hand can give peace of mind to both the trainer and the client, knowing that if something does happen, there will be resources available to help.

Fitness trainers can contact wholesale health supplies distributors to get the right medical supplies for their needs. 

Reduce Your Liability

It’s a legal requirement for gyms and fitness centers to have staff members on hand familiar with trainer first aid in case of emergencies. Facilities that don’t adhere to this requirement put themselves at risk of facing lawsuits due to onsite accidents and injuries, regardless of who’s at fault.

Having first aid training can help legally protect you in the event of an incident on the job. If you can prove that you have been complying with the law and did everything in your power to keep your clients safe, you’re less likely to be found liable. 

If you don’t have first aid training, you may find yourself in a world of legal and financial hurt following an accident. Even if you aren’t directly responsible, a client may still sue you for any number of reasons. 

Whether you work for an established fitness center or have your own freelance training operation, you should protect your own interests by keeping up to date on your first aid training. In the long run, you may end up saving yourself a lot of time, frustration, and most of all, money. 

Save on Insurance

It’s important for any personal trainer to have good insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits. Clients can potentially sue you over a wide variety of issues, from an injury during a session to dissatisfaction with results. 

There are two main types of insurance for fitness trainers. General liability insurance protects you against accidents and mishaps on the job. A solid general liability policy should cover you if a client gets injured under your watch. 

Professional liability insurance, or Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance, will protect you in situations where blame isn’t as clear. This type of insurance covers negligence as well as accidents and injuries resulting from inadequate or misconstrued advice.

Insurance can be pricey as a fitness trainer, especially for those not affiliated with a gym or fitness center. Any previous claims against you may also raise your rates. Trainers may pay from several hundred to several thousand per year for liability insurance. 

If you’re looking for a way to lower your rates, many insurance companies will reduce monthly fees for those with a first aid course or other health certification under their belt. Because you’re more likely to save clients in need, you don’t pose as much of a liability risk. If you complete a course, you can send the necessary paperwork to your insurer to see if you qualify for lower rates. The money you save may even cover the cost of training courses.

In Conclusion

It’s always a good idea for fitness trainers to stay up-to-date on first aid training and safety certifications. Organizations such as the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and the National Safety Council offer training covering skills such as CPR, AED, and BLS. Courses often last just a few hours, and certifications last for a full twelve months. 

First aid training will not only help you to save lives as a fitness trainer but also further your career. You can impress potential employers and attract new clients, all while reducing liability and saving on insurance premiums. Whether you’re a freelance guru or a full-time fitness professional, you can benefit by adding first aid training certifications to your resume. 

Last Updated on October 11, 2022