How To Find a Qualified Fitness Trainer

Has your rheumatologist recommended exercise to improve your osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, but you're not quite sure what to do or how to do it? Working with a good fitness trainer can ensure that your exercise regimen meets your needs and that you learn to do the exercises properly, minimizing the risk of overuse or injury. But beware -- the qualifications of fitness trainers vary widely: Some are nearly as qualified as physical therapists, while others have merely passed a week-long course.

So how can you find a good trainer who has worked with arthritis patients? And what's the best way to open and maintain the lines of communication between your arthritis doctor and your trainer?

The first step is to ask your rheumatologist or physical therapist to refer you to a qualified trainer. You can also check with your local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org), which may have a list of trainers experienced in working with people who have arthritis. Although no laws require trainers to be certified or even to have particular training, certification by a reputable agency ensures that you are working with someone who understands the mechanics of exercise and arthritis.

Once you've selected several trainers and determined their certification, you'll need to interview them, asking the following:

• Have you worked with someone who has my kind of arthritis? The answer should, of course, be yes. Ask for and contact one or two references from the trainers.
• Are you willing to coordinate my program with my rheumatologist or physical therapist? You want someone who has worked with physicians and physical therapists and knows how to communicate with them about your arthritis.
• How will you decide what program to put me on? The trainer's answer should be that his or her plan will depend on your goals, your fitness level, and the input of your doctor or physical therapist about your limitations and medications.
• What would you do if someone has this kind of limitation (name one of yours)? If someone has a flare-up? If he or she has no suggestions or doesn't know what a flare-up is, that should be a red flag.

Meeting with a trainer is not a one-way street. A good trainer will ask you questions as well, such as:

What kind of arthritis do you have?

What are your goals?

What are your limitations?

Have you ever had a joint replacement?

What medications do you take for your arthritis?

Have you exercised before?

What kind of activities do you like?

Do you prefer individual or group exercise?