Obesity Epidemic vs. Crappy Trainer Epidemic

2012:

1. More than one-third of adults are obese
2. About 17% of children ages 2-19 are obese
3. There are close to 30,000 health clubs in America
4. There are around 255,000 "fitness trainers" in America

Most shocking statistic out of those four statistics?  I would go with the "fitness trainers" one.  I would actually alter the statistic and make it look more like this:

There are 255,000 "fitness trainers" in America, and a majority of them do not know what they hell they are doing. 


To be a doctor:

4 years undergrad pre-med
MCATS
3-4 years more of med school
Residency Year(s)

How many times have you seen your primary physician this year?  If you're healthy, maybe once or twice?

To be a personal trainer:

No college requirements
Read a textbook
Pass a 90 minute exam

How many times does a personal trainer he the same client?  Most likely once or twice A WEEK.


Worst of all.  GYM'S HIRE PEOPLE WITH THESE CERTIFICATIONS.  Screw talent, experience and education ... make the gym money.  We are hurting people, not helping them.  Look on craigslist right now:

Would you want a doctor without experience in charge of your health??

If we don't solve the crappy trainer epidemic first, we will continue to see the obesity epidemic grow. We are not prepared to fight the obesity epidemic inside the walls of our fitness facilities.

This is a very tough problem to fix.  It is time to start taking "fitness training" seriously.  We are just as important (if not more) than the doctor.