Personal trainer and nutritionist - basic differences
A personal trainer is primarily responsible for devising and implementing a suitable training plan. Some specialised trainers are also able to put together an optimal diet for the exercises performed. However, a person without a background in nutrition and dietetics will not offer you a professional dietary consultation.
A certified nutritionist for athletes will certainly adjust your diet more accurately not only in the context of your training, but also your overall lifestyle. It is important to emphasise that the work of a sports nutritionist involves acquiring the necessary qualifications. In this respect, there are two options. The first is to complete a dietetic degree with a specialisation in sports dietetics. The second option is to take a course, the material of which is in accordance with the programme of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MPiPS). The course can be taken both onsite and online. As part of the study, topics such as:
- toxicology,
- food storage and preservation,
- quality analysis of food products,
- food biochemistry,
- anatomy,
- sports nutrition.
Due to their extensive knowledge of nutrition, sports nutritionists, when composing menus, take into account factors such as:
- gender,
- age,
- body weight,
- the need for particular vitamins and minerals with regard to the sport practiced,
- metabolic rate.
Does a personal trainer need to be qualified as a nutritionist?
A personal trainer should be flexible, as this profession requires a combination of several key skills. If you want to take up this profession, you must be able to:
- create an impeccable training plan,
- show support to clients at every stage of training,
- adapt training to the individual's capabilities,
- motivate clients to continue working out.
Admittedly, a personal trainer does not need to have the same qualifications as a dietician, but a basic knowledge of sports dietetics is essential in this profession. An athletic and slim figure is an effect that can only be achieved with a combination of properly selected training and diet. Therefore, knowledge of sports nutrition is extremely important in the daily work of a personal trainer.
Remember that many people suffer from health problems that prevent them from eating specific products. As a trainer, you should know which ingredients to exclude from your diet for a particular condition.
Becoming qualified as a personal trainer and sports nutritionist at the same time offers great opportunities. As a trainer, you keep track of your charges' progress, so you can modify their diets according to their current needs. In addition, by setting both workouts and menus, you have a greater influence on the success of the entire training cycle.
Training and nutrition plan - how do you combine them?
Before you start training a person, make them aware of the importance of developing a consistent training and nutrition plan. These should be chosen individually, based on the body's capabilities and needs.
Some people may persuade you to make their training and nutrition plan the same as someone else's (such as a popular Influencer). If this is the case, you should explain to your mentee that there is no single, effective way to achieve the figure of your dreams. The same applies to taking specific dietary supplements. In your work, rely on individualism and training combined with nutrition education!