Kansas Personal Trainers – What to Watch Out for When Working With Clients

Personal training professionals must adhere to rules and regulations that are governed by associations and organizations that issue certifications.  As such, the oversight process is a little different for personal training professionals than it is for Kansas licensed professionals.  This is important to keep in mind if you are currently a personal training professional, or wish to pursue such a career.  Regardless of the fact that personal trainers are not regulated by a Kansas board, such professionals must still follow similar requirements.

Aside from the regulatory requirements of being a personal training professional in Kansas, as such requirements differ from association or organization to the next, personal trainers must also be aware of how certain actions or conduct could result in a client filing some form of disciplinary complaint, or even initiate legal action.  This may occur in situations including, but certainly not limited to, the following:

  • A client is injured during a training session and believes the personal trainer is at fault for any one of a variety of reasons (improper instructions, pushing the client too hard, etc.);
  • A client accuses a personal trainer of harassment, whether it be sexual in nature, demeaning, or otherwise; and/or
  • A client believes his or her personal trainer is unqualified.

Given that personal training professionals may have different approaches to helping clients achieve their fitness goals, every case will be different, so a variety of issues may arise that are not listed above.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

It cannot be stressed enough that everything you do must be documented in writing.  Once you begin a relationship with a new client, you should ensure the client has a thorough understanding of what to expect, what the rules are, and what your qualifications are as a personal training professional.  Further, any time your client complains about something (no matter how minor the complaint may seem to be), you should document such complaints in your file.  Such documentation is extremely helpful if your career is attacked in anyway in the future.

You should not have to lose your personal training certification for something that you simply did not do.  While there are occasions when a particular personal training professional has committed some wrongdoing, many personal trainers lose their certifications or jobs over false or unwarranted allegations.  In order to prevent this from happening to you, be cognizant of the potential hazards that are a natural consequence of helping clients, regardless of what the particular profession is.  Speaking with an attorney can also provide you with the support and guidance that you need.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

Many people don’t realize that becoming a personal trainer isn’t simply attending one or two classes and getting certified.  Just like other Kansas professions, personal trainers are held to a certain standard.  While the state of Kansas does not regulate the personal training industry, personal trainers must still adhere to the rules that govern the issuance of their certifications.  If you are a Kansas personal trainer, and you believe your certificate is at risk in any way, you may consider speaking with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney.  While we always hope to have the best clients possible, there will be some clients that may not be satisfied, or may feel they have been harmed in some way.  Regardless of why your profession may be at risk, a skilled attorney can help you fight and overcome the issue in the most reasonable way possible.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office has the advocacy skills and dedication necessary in a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney.  If you would like to schedule a free consultation to speak with Ms. Sanger, contact the Sanger Law Office today by calling (785) 979-4353.

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