Studying to become a physical trainer can be exciting
One of the professions that is booming is that of a physical trainer and, if we love sports, this can be a very interesting professional path.
I like sports, but...
There are people who are true fans of a sport that they barely practice or have never practiced. How many football fans do we know who are able to know what the perfect play would be and give instructions like possessed to an elite athlete through a television when they can barely see their feet due to their prominent belly? This profession is not for them, we're sorry. On the other hand, if we are passionate about sports and practice them regularly, we are interested in health and nutrition, we understand that body and mind function as a whole, and we enjoy working with people, we can be perfect for this job and vice versa.What is a physical trainer?
A physical trainer is a professional who works for companies or individuals, training athletes so that they can achieve their goals. Let's not imagine with this description Cesar, a prototypical gym teacher, stuck in an old tracksuit and a whistle, and smelling a bit of tobacco just like the little room where basketballs and soccer balls are kept. No, a physical trainer is much more than that, as their functions have a more holistic vocation. The physical trainer will make a detailed examination of the person or people they work with, analyze their needs, the weaknesses and strengths they present both physically and psychologically (including their genetic heritage), their habits, their nutrition, their schedules, their health status, and create a specific plan adapted to obtain the maximum performance from an elite athlete or the best they can achieve from an individual to reach their goals. A physical trainer, among other tasks, must know how to plan and carry out personalized training programs, which they will monitor, as well as specific diets. They will also carry out scientific research on the world of sports. They will also work to prevent sports injuries and, if they occur, act to ensure proper recovery. They will know how to advise and motivate athletes, whether in groups or individually.What studies allow us to become a physical trainer?
Yes, to become a physical trainer, it is not enough to go to the gym a lot. We need to study a lot and complete a higher education cycle, and if we want to specialize further, obtain the university eTítulo. Through a higher education cycle, we can obtain the title of Higher Technician in Physical Conditioning (TSAF), which qualifies us to work in gyms and sports centers, and in some regions, even as personal trainers. But if we want to cover more ground or secure a good position and salary, we need to have a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences and then specialize in the area that interests us the most. We may want to work in gyms with people of any condition or with runners, soccer players, karatekas... Each sport has its specialty, and with this degree, the field of job opportunities is much wider. Additionally, if we want to excel in our profession, it doesn't hurt to study a double degree along with Nutrition, Psychology, or Physiotherapy.What subjects are studied in CAFD?
CAFD, formerly known as INEF, are the initials used to designate the degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, and we already warn you that the admission scores are not exactly low in public universities, so neither the degree nor the admission process will be easy, which means that besides everything mentioned above, we need to be bright students, highly motivated, or better yet, both. Having the financial means to afford a private university is also a solution for those who can afford it since the admission scores can vary by more than 5 points between public and private universities. It is worth noting that this is a multidisciplinary degree, so we will touch on many different branches of knowledge, which makes it a far cry from being a monotonous degree. As is normal, the subjects may vary slightly between universities, but in general, the knowledge that every physical trainer must delve into includes:- Human anatomy and biology.
- Nutrition.
- Prevention and treatment of injuries.
- First aid.
- Personal and group sports motivation.
- Sports statistical research.
- Energetic consumption.
- Fundamentals of sports (for each sport).
- Sports biomechanics.
- Legislation on physical activity and sports.
- Body expression.
- Exercise physiology.
