Difference between Kinesiologists & Certified Personal Trainers

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a kinesiologist and a certified personal trainer? Here is an easy way to tell the difference. All kinesiologists can be personal trainers, but not all personal trainers can be kinesiologists.

A lot people have a hard time telling the difference between a kinesiologist and a personal trainer. This is a problem if you are looking for a personal fitness or rehabilitation program. Since there are certain advantages that each can offer, it is good to understand the difference.

The main difference between the two is in educational attainment.

To obtain a Personal Training Certificate in British Columbia, a person must take a course from an accredited organization. The length of the course varies from a few weeks to months. During the personal training course, a person will learn the basics of human anatomy and kinesiology.

At the end of the course, trainees must pass a test to obtain their certification.  There are a lot of institutions that offer Personal Training Certificates. The standard in British Columbia is the British Columbia Parks and Recreation Association (BCPRA) Fitness Registration Program.

To become a kinesiologist, an individual must obtain a four year degree from an accredited university.

People who study kinesiology take roughly 15-20 courses on human physiology, biology, and other health topics. After completing their degree, a person can register to become a certified kinesiologist.

Like a personal trainer, a kinesiologist can create a personal fitness program for you. But kinesiologists, unlike personal trainers, often have experience managing injuries through applied course work. Therefore, kinesiologists are better able to help with rehabilitation programs. Furthermore, kinesiologists are more likely to have training in ergonomics. This means that they can help find ways to make your workplace a healthier place.

Personal trainers have some knowledge of basic anatomy and kinesiology, and usually have some experience. As such, personal trainers can help you create a great personal fitness program. But if you need more help with  acute injuries or chronic pain, consider getting in touch with a kinesiologist. The years of training and education they have provides skills that can help create a more specialized program for injury prevention and rehabilitation.