By Polly Hale – Founder, The Fit Mum Formula and Gymbag Brand Ambassador
Does diet matter? Of course it does! As fitness professionals we all know how much diet makes a difference in our clients’ health. However, when it comes to advising them on what diet and supplement approaches to take, we find ourselves in a murky grey area where there is no clear line on what a “Personal Trainer” can advise.
Whilst the term “Dietician” is protected and requires a Degree or equivalent in an appropriate field of dietetics (such as sports nutrition or disease management), a “Nutritionist” (different from a “Registered Nutritionist”, who needs a Degree) could be anyone from a Degree (if they’re not on the “Register”) or Higher National Diploma, all the way down to your local MLM (Multi-Level-Marketing) “detox box” seller with not a single GCSE.
Nutritionist, Nutrition Advisor, Diet Specialist, Fat-Loss Coach: they’re all meaningless in themselves unless an actual qualification has been obtained.
Formal Qualifications versus the Passionate Learner
As fitness professionals passionate about health, we love reading articles, books, blogs, studies and the latest scientific developments. As a result, many of us have acquired a great deal of up-to-date, relevant, valid education and knowledge around food and health. But formal degrees in dietetics are not always up-to-date, as new discoveries are made so frequently.
Whilst some courses are far better than others, just because someone has formal qualifications does not necessarily mean they know more (or better) than someone without the paperwork but who is very well read.
Red Tape and Freedom of Speech
This brings us to the real advantage of having a formal Degree qualification: You are given leeway to advise your clients as you see fit for them, be that Paleo, low carb, high carb, vegan, or whatever else, because you’ve got the paper that says you know what you’re doing.
A Personal Trainer with no such Degree level training is limited and, according to REPS UK, should not “provide prescriptive nutritional advice or develop bespoke individualised nutrition plans for clients.” In other words, follow the Government’s food guideline, and don’t give any advice to anyone with health conditions (e.g. diabetes).
Kind of restrictive, huh?
This is exactly why the Association for Nutrition is looking to certify either certain courses, or individual themselves, which will allow qualifying PTs to differentiate themselves from their unqualified peers.
How this will be displayed has not been decided yet, but could be in the form of a “Title” to be listed as an “approved” coach (much like if you were looking for a dentist you would be advised to find one registered with the British Dental Association), or a “licence” to advise clients based on your qualification. Note that this will be in line with evidence-based Government recommendations, so if you want to prescribe a more tailored approach to your clients, a Degree may be more appropriate for you after all.
Which Course Should You Take?
Decisions and the new standards will be released by Public Health England in the next few weeks. The standards for the courses will have to be high, evidence-based, and taught by adequately qualified course leaders.
In light of these forthcoming changes and the impact they may have on insurance and future career and employability prospects, it may be wise to hold off choosing which course to take. This will ensure you’ll get appropriately accredited education, allowing you to develop your health and fitness career in whatever direction you choose.
About Polly Hale
Polly is the founder of The Fit Mum Formula, an online diet and exercise membership programme for busy women who want to lose fat, get stronger and boost energy levels from home even when getting to the gym is not possible.
She is also a Brand Ambassador for Gymbag, the instant fitness storefront for Personal Trainers. PTs can launch an online store, choose from a massive catalogue of supplements and fitness equipment to stock, and Gymbag takes care of the rest. Find out more at gymbag.co.