Uncertified exercise instructors could lead to injury

Branford, Conn. (WTNH) - Instructor Melanie Johnson starts her Pilates class at  InShape in Branford by asking students, "Does anyone have any issues, any limitations?"

Melanie is a certified Pilates instructor but points out that not everyone is.  "IDEA Health and Fitness Association says that 45 percent of fitness professionals are not certified, that's a lot, that's half," she said.

Click here to see if your instructor is certified.

Melanie also heads up a Pilates certifying organization.  She says  no certification and not enough training can increase risk of injury. "It depends on a teacher's certification, their skill level, their skill level in a group," she explained. "Are they teaching an appropriate style for the group."

Krista Rea, who recently took Melanie's class, pulled a back muscle while taking someone else's class. "You could be doing anything, you could get injured, you just hope you try to take as many precautions as possible," Krista said.

Melanie recommends going online to minimize the risk of getting hurt in an exercise class.  "Most people who are really trained, are very proud of the years of commitment and time, money, everything they have invested," she explained. "They are going to have totally everything listed on their website."

Kevin Walsh also took Melanie's class. She said,  "When I first stared out with Pilates, I was so bad at it, I couldn't tell anything.  It was tough.  As I spent time doing it, it sort of sunk in. I began to identify very easily which ones were good, not good, cared, didn't care."
  
Melanie says an instructor who cares about your physical health and well being will better guide you to a fitter lifestyle.

Another student, Heyltje Rose Bond, has tendonitis.  That led her to inquire about modifying some moves. "At some point, I think I asked Melanie even, what can I do in that class, oh just bring your arms out further and that helped.  Sometimes I just eliminate the exercise," she said.

There's no guarantee you can avoid injury, but experts like Melanie Johnson say,  knowing more about who is  at the head of the class can help.