Melton Deana, Dail Teresa K, Katula Jeffrey A, Mustian Karen M
Human Performance and Leisure Studies Department, North Carolina A&T State University.
Department of Health & Exercise Science, Wake Forest University.
Sport J. 2011 Jan;14(1).
Personal trainers play an integral role in the day-to-day operation of the facilities in which they work. Research has identified a number of qualities and competencies necessary to be an effective exercise leader, but there is little scholarly work addressing clients' attitudes related to the performance of personal trainers. Utilizing focus group methodology, female clients of personal trainers were recruited to provide viewpoints related to the desirable qualities of personal trainers, as well as opinions regarding trainer certification and academic preparation. Responses of the participants were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes. Four global themes emerged: Selection Rationale, Personal Trainer Rationale, Loyalty Rationale and Negative Characteristics. Selection Rationale consisted of qualities that influence a client's decision to hire a particular trainer (e.g., physique, results observed in other clients, social skills). Personal Trainer Rationale referred to the clients' reasons (e.g., frustration with current fitness level) for hiring a specific trainer. Loyalty Rationale referred to the credentials of a personal trainer that solidify the client/trainer relationship and Negative Characteristics referred to qualities considered unethical or unprofessional. The results suggest that undergraduate exercise science programs should devote additional time toward the development of future fitness trainers' affective qualities and that clients' would benefit from information about the credentials of personal trainers.
私人教练在他们工作的健身设施的日常运营中发挥着不可或缺的作用。研究已经确定了成为一名有效的健身领导者所需的一些品质和能力，但很少有学术著作探讨客户对私人教练表现的态度。利用焦点小组方法，招募了私人教练的女性客户，以提供与私人教练的理想品质相关的观点，以及对教练认证和学术准备的看法。参与者的回答被转录、编码并分析主题。出现了四个总体主题：选择理由、私人教练理由、忠诚理由和负面特征。选择理由包括影响客户决定雇佣特定教练的品质（例如，体型、在其他客户身上观察到的效果、社交技能）。私人教练理由指的是客户雇佣特定教练的原因（例如，对当前健身水平的不满）。忠诚理由指的是巩固客户/教练关系的私人教练的资质，负面特征指的是被认为不道德或不专业的品质。结果表明，本科运动科学课程应该在培养未来健身教练的情感品质方面投入更多时间，并且客户将从有关私人教练资质的信息中受益。
