{"id":2375,"date":"2025-01-24T20:36:56","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T20:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/personal-trainer-dietitian-or-health-coach-which-is-right-for-you.html"},"modified":"2025-01-24T20:36:56","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T20:36:56","slug":"personal-trainer-dietitian-or-health-coach-which-is-right-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/health\/personal-trainer-dietitian-or-health-coach-which-is-right-for-you.html","title":{"rendered":"Personal Trainer, Dietitian, or Health Coach: Which Is Right for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Deciding to make changes to live a healthier lifestyle is a huge step. And after you decide to do that, the next step is figuring out\u00a0how\u00a0to make those changes happen.<\/p>\n<p>For many of us, that means getting some help. But who do you turn to?<\/p>\n<p>A personal trainer can help you achieve a fitness goal and a\u00a0registered dietitian\u00a0can help you eat more healthfully. And maybe you\u2019ve heard about health coaches, but aren\u2019t sure exactly what they do.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a guide to help you learn exactly what each of these experts can help you with, and how to find a qualified professional to help you succeed in reaching your specific goals.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is a Personal Trainer?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe job of a personal trainer is to help you achieve your\u00a0fitness goals as quickly, efficiently, and safely as possible,\u201d explains Trevor Thieme, C.S.C.S.<\/p>\n<p>They can customize a workout program based on your goals, workout preferences, mobility and fitness levels, and exercise experience, he adds.<\/p>\n<p>Then, they\u2019ll adjust that program as you progress to make sure you don\u2019t hit plateaus. But it\u2019s not only about the workouts.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA good trainer will also motivate you and make exercising enjoyable,\u201d Thieme says. \u201cThat\u2019s important because exercise enjoyment and\u00a0motivation\u00a0are keys to exercise consistency, which is one of the most important factors for\u00a0achieving any fitness goal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The tricky thing to keep in mind is that almost anyone can call themselves an expert, even if they\u2019re not certified \u2014 just look at all the \u201cfitness influencers\u201d on Instagram.<\/p>\n<p>And not all certifications are created equal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen considering a personal trainer, make sure their certification is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies,\u201d says Thieme. \u201cSome of the top certifications come from the NSCA, NASM, ACE, ISSA, and ACSM.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>You should pick a personal trainer if\u2026<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>You want to achieve your fitness goals as efficiently, effectively, safely, and quickly as possible.<\/li>\n<li>You\u2019re motivated by one-on-one coaching.<\/li>\n<li>You need \u2014 and can afford \u2014 this level of accountability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How to find a certified personal trainer<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t assume that the trainer at your local gym is certified or knowledgeable,\u201d Thieme says.<\/p>\n<p>Research trainers online or ask them questions in person or over the phone so you understand what certification programs they\u2019ve completed.<\/p>\n<p>You can also search for trainers online on many of the certifying organizations\u2019 sites.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe key is to find one that specializes in your goal \u2014 whether it\u2019s weight loss,\u00a0muscle growth, improving endurance and\u00a0cardiorespiratory fitness, enhancing athletic performance, or some combination thereof,\u201d Thieme says.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also equally important to make sure they mesh well with your personality! \u201cIt\u2019s not their job to be your friend, but you need to enjoy working with them,\u201d Thieme adds.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is a Registered Dietitian?<\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-147422\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/10133051\/trainer-vs-health-coach-vs-dietician-600-dietician.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"370\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>\u201cA\u00a0registered dietitian is an expert in food and nutritional science,\u201d explains Krista Maguire, RD. To earn the RD or RDN credential\u00a0(the acronyms can be used interchangeably to refer to a registered dietitian nutritionist), they must:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Earn a bachelor\u2019s degree granted by a US regionally accredited college\/university (or foreign equivalent).<\/li>\n<li>Complete an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).<\/li>\n<li>Complete a 1,200-hour (6- to 12-month) ACEND-accredited supervised internship at a healthcare facility, community agency, and\/or food service corporation.<\/li>\n<li>Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.<\/li>\n<li>Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration on an ongoing basis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>More than half of RDs hold advanced degrees. Some RDs also hold additional certifications in areas such as sports nutrition or diabetes, and they can help with more than just\u00a0meal planning\u00a0or\u00a0weight loss.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThose specialized in clinical nutrition use medical nutrition therapy to help with various health conditions; some are more focused on specific populations such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or athletes; and others can help with food allergies, digestive issues, disease prevention and management, eating disorders\u2026 the list goes on and on!\u201d Maguire says.<\/p>\n<p>Some will even join you to grocery shop, dine out, or do a pantry sweep at your home.<\/p>\n<h3>You should pick a registered dietitian if\u2026<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>You want personalized, science-based dietary guidance or if you just want general healthy eating advice.<\/li>\n<li>You want a meal plan created for you.<\/li>\n<li>You want to lose weight without falling into the latest\u00a0diet traps.<\/li>\n<li>You want a diet suited for a specific health condition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How to find a registered dietitian<\/h3>\n<p>Search for an RD in your area on the\u00a0Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.<\/p>\n<p>You can search by zip code as well as areas of expertise (food allergies, diabetes, weight management, vegetarian nutrition, etc.).<\/p>\n<p>If the provider has a website you can check that or call them to learn about their specializations and any other certifications they have.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions if you\u2019re unclear what anything means!<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also important to ask how they work with clients and make sure they can help you meet your goals, Maguire says.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is a Health Coach?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-147421\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/10133046\/trainer-vs-health-coach-vs-dietician-600-health-coach.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"370\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>A health coach is just that \u2014 a coach who helps you make lifestyle changes to be healthier.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMost people know what they should do, but they don\u2019t do it. Health coaches help you figure out the barriers to changing your behavior and then set realistic goals to fit those behaviors into your life,\u201d explains Lauren Shroyer, director of product development for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) who helped develop the\u00a0ACE Health Coach certification.<\/p>\n<p>A health coach can help with a range of goals, including exercise, healthy eating,\u00a0sleep, quitting smoking, and\u00a0cutting back on drinking.<\/p>\n<p>During the first session, you\u2019ll discuss your goals, and the coach will ask questions to figure out why you want to make those changes and what is keeping you from achieving your goals.<\/p>\n<p>These conversations often unearth barriers you haven\u2019t noticed, says Shroyer.<\/p>\n<p>Then, your health coach will establish\u00a0SMART goals\u00a0with you. If you don\u2019t achieve those goals by the next session, at that time you\u2019ll identify why not and adjust the initial goals. If you did reach your goals, you\u2019ll set new ones.<\/p>\n<h3>You should pick a health coach if\u2026<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>You don\u2019t need a workout plan or a meal plan.<\/li>\n<li>You know what you should be doing to be healthier, but need help identifying and overcoming the barriers to doing it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How to find a health coach<\/h3>\n<p>There are quite a few organizations that offer health and wellness certifications with slightly different slants, Shroyer explains.<\/p>\n<p>For example, some focus on nutrition, while others have more of a spiritual element. Look into a health coach\u2019s certification and what it means.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWork with a coach whose philosophy and education supports your needs,\u201d Shroyer says.<\/p>\n<p>Some health coaches also offer group coaching. These sessions go through the same exercises you would one-on-one but at a more affordable price.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Deciding to make changes to live a healthier lifestyle is a huge step. And after you decide to do that, the next step is figuring out\u00a0how\u00a0to make those changes happen. For many of us, that means getting some help. But who do you turn to? A personal trainer can help you achieve a fitness goal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2376,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2375"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2375\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}