I Got a Job!

It has been so long since I have updated my part of this blog.

The house is done and we have entertained 2x already. I have hooked up with a group that runs every morning at 6:30. Then, I walk another 3 miles with a different group at 8PM (perfect to wear my dogs out before bedtime). Last week I found the gym. It isn't the best gym that I have seen, but it has more potential than the Gold's Gym I was paying for. It is quite large, but it is not as progressive as I would like. That said, the aerobics room has plenty of Bosu Balls that I can use. I just can't take them out of that room. So, once again, I carry my balance board with me.

Here's the big news... Last week when I was working out on my board, the director of the gym came over and introduced himself and asked me about my board and my workouts. We had a great conversation about functional training and training for life. He told me that he is trying to bring those concepts into the gym and to our soldiers and families. Then he offered me a job. I told him that I am not certified, much less qualified to train. He offered to send me to the Cooper Institute for certification. Well, now let's think about this. Cooper is the most pretigious certification in my mind. I would love working in the fitness industry, but I have some issues with most "certified" trainers. I am sure you have all seen the trainers in the gym with terrible form themselves. How can they possibly train someone safely? There are no industry standards on what "certified" means and I think that seriously hurts the credibility of truly qualified trainers. I just do not think you should be able to study a book and take a test, pass it and call yourself qualified to train. Any other health field would insist on internship, clinicals or at least direct supervision for a minimum of time. Doug, the director of the gym, has a Phd, teaches at University of New Mexico, has trained Olympic athletes and develops training programs for our soldiers. When I discussed my issues with certifications, he absolutely agreed with me and told me that he would pay for my classroom part and my testing and then train me himself with plenty of supervision. He also offered to send me back for my nutrition certification later in the year. By the way, I can name my hours and the pay is pretty good. How can I turn that down? I think it's a sign. So, next month I am off to Dallas and the Cooper Institute.