Why Your Next Trainer Should Be A Physical Therapist

Key Points:

• A physical therapist’s scope of practice will almost always include everything a trainer can do and more
• Many PT’s have advanced training in exercise science that can be invaluable to clients
• A PT can help clients work around injuries, know when to stop doing an exercise, and incorporate rehab into their program

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Scopes of Practice

Within the fitness field, there is a huge degree of variation in knowledge and skill between different professions and practitioners. A lot of people aren’t aware of these differences, and a little education can go a long way to finding the right fit. To start, have a look at the following table which shows some major differences between personal trainers and physical therapists:

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Fitness Forward Physical Therapy

So a PT’s scope includes everything a trainer can do and more - further, the bar to become a PT is much higher. But is a PT at least as good, if not better, at what a trainer does?

In short, they definitely can be, but this will vary between individual trainers and clinicians. After all, lots of PT’s only work in hospital, pediatric, or neurological rehabilitation settings and may not be familiar with prescribing or coaching higher-level exercise. 

Here are some qualifications to look for in a fitness forward PT:

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• Fitness certification: These are your gold standard fitness-forward PT’s, ones who combine a PT’s healthcare expertise with a fitness and coaching background

• Examples: CSCS, USAW, CFL, NASM-CPT

• OCS or SCS: An Orthopedic Clinical Specialist or Sports Clinical Specialist is 1) an expert in the kinds of problems that can halt your fitness journey, 2) well-versed in rehabilitation and injury prevention in active populations
• ATC: Similar to an OCS or SCS, a PT who is also an athletic trainer has spent a good deal of time working with athletic populations and can use that experience on your behalf

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9 times out of 10, PT’s with one or more of these certifications will bring more to the table than your average trainer.

Clinicians with these certifications are also more common than you think. Some PT’s even operate out of gyms (both private and commercial) so that they can be more accessible. Look around at your local PT clinics and gyms to see who might be available to you. 

If you can’t find someone, reach out to us! Siento specializes in the best-of-all-worlds expertise that makes fitness-forward PT’s valuable members of your healthcare team.

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Better Tools for Better Outcomes

PT’s also have an edge over trainers with regard to the data we can collect and how we use that data to help our clients.

Everyone in the fitness space needs to be able to help motivate clients, troubleshoot, help design and achieve goals, and keep clients accountable. PT’s have access to all of the tools and resources that trainers use to do this. 

PT’s are also formally trained in patient and client management. Nearly every PT program requires courses in motivational interviewing, improving patient compliance, and effective goal planning. Personal training certifications may include material on these topics, but usually not on the level of graduate-level education.

Fitness forward PT’s in particular can also use advanced screening tools to help keep you healthier for longer. Some tools, like the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), are specifically designed for use by allied healthcare professionals, like PT’s*.

(*These screening tools are not 100% accurate and a good clinician will not rely on them alone, but they can help us design more personalized programs. PT’s can also use these tools to account for their clients’ symptoms, if any, and build rehab directly into their programming.)

So whether you struggle with staying motivated to exercise, have some nagging knee pain, or are worried about avoiding injury while exercising, a PT can account for all of those in a way that trainers cannot. 

Some trainers can help with some of these issues, but it is outside of a trainer’s scope to diagnose or treat pain or symptoms of any kind. Good trainers should be comfortable referring you to a rehab expert as needed.

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A fitness-forward physical therapist can slot in basically anywhere a personal trainer can, but the opposite is very much not the case. Not every PT has the background and training to help you with your fitness goals, but there’s almost certainly one accessible to you. 

If you struggle to find someone local, that’s where a company like Siento can help! We offer comprehensive fitness and wellness services in addition to rehabilitation, so we can take you from 0 to 100 with no gaps in service or coverage. 

Set yourself up for success by starting the next leg of your fitness journey with someone who has the clinical and performance expertise you need to accomplish your movement goals and stay healthy for longer. Talk to a PT about your fitness goals and lay the groundwork for a lifetime of success!