Personal Trainers/BC Survivors

Lisa1964

Are there any Certified Personal Trainers out there that are BC patients or survivors?  Prior to my dx I was going to enroll in a program to get certified, now I want to more than ever.  I am working with a trainer thru the chemo as best I can and she is a huge help, but she is young and does not have a clue about mastectomies, lymphadema, our special fatigue and muscle atrophy etc.  I feel there is a huge need for fitness help that is specific to BC and other cancers.

Any thoughts or advice?

Lisa

EWB

I agree completely!!! I am sure there are trainers out there w/ a special interest or specialty in cancer patients. I have had a hard time trying to come up w/ a program or ways to adapt even "gentle" exercise.  I think especially with people living longer w/cancer- this is an area that is really needed.

Elaine

everyminute

I also was thinking about personal training before bc - I am planning on getting ace certified (home study program) and then trying to work with Ymca and oncologist to do some specific cancer training.  I also found this info  ----

http://www.thecancerspecialist.com/workshops.html

keep me posted on how you make out - maybe we can help eachother study :-)

Lisa1964

everyminute - thanks for the link.  I will check it out.  I am going to do the home study program thru ISSAonline.  I check in my area and it is well respected.  They also have hands on seminars all over the country.  Once you get your basic certification, you can go back and specialize in other areas like geriatric care, sports medicine, etc.

I am convinced.  I am gonna do it!  My last tx is Feb 9th.  I can study while I am getting back on my feet!

Lisa

EWB

Can I book a consultation for the day after you finish certification?

Elaine

Lisa1964

You're on Elaine!!!!  My first client!!!  Hey!

Every's link was great.  That will b my first continuing ed class after certification.

Lisa

digger

Check into the Pink Ribbon Program:  http://www.pinkribbonprogram.com/.  It's for Pilates instructors who then go on to get special certification to train post-mastectomy clients.

lisasayers

Hi Lisa

 I was also considering getting AFFA or ACE certified prior to diagnosis.  I'm certified to teach Zumba classes and that is what I do now...6 days a week, in addition to my other health/wellness business.  I went back to teaching Zumba 3 weeks after my bilateral and have been teaching right through chemo...it really has helped to keep the SEs at bay.

Now I'm not sure if I have the time to study for ACE or AFFA.  I've just started a Team Survivor affiliate here for women cancer survivors...so that is going to keep me busy.  I'm not sure where you are, but you may want to see if there is a Team Survivor in your area...may connect you with more fitness professionals!  www.teamsurvivor.org

Best wishes and good luck on your certification!

everyminute

Lisa - I just signed up to get info to start an affiliate of Team Survivor here - that is just what I am looking for.  Can you PM me how things are going?  I would love to start a walk/talk and running affiliate in the area and am fairly sure I could get the support of my oncologist (who runs a very large practice here).

Thanks for the info!

Lisa1964

Hey Everytime.  I looked into Team Survivor and we do not have one in my area.  I ahve no idea how to start one.  I will need to go back to that website and read more thoroughly.  I would love to talk to you about Team Survivor.  I also need to contact my local BC office and see what input they have.

When I have more info on the certifcation program I am using I will PM you.

Lisa

Anonymous

Hi all...As many on the "Moving Beyond..." thread know, I've been a certified Personal Trainer for many years and have worked with a number of special populations. The most rewarding, of course, has been my input with BC survivors. We are an amazingly motivated bunch! I encourage those of you who have a special interest in the field to pursue certification, either ACE, AFAA or ACSM. Though you probably won't get rich in money, the emotional satisfaction is priceless!

And BTW, I'll add a plug for Team Survivor, a wonderful organization dedicated to providing free fitness experiences to the female cancer survivor. Not all states have an affiliate, but if yours doesn't, you can do as I have and establish one!!!

www.teamsurvivor.org

~Marin

Anonymous

Oh my goodness, I just saw that you all have already been discussing Team Survivor! Well, GOOD LUCK to each of you who are participating or starting one up! I can promise that you'll LOVE IT!

~Marin

lisasayers

Yes, we are growing the Team Survivor Affiliates! 

Tamara67646

I picked up a brochure at my radiation clinic about an organization that has a 10 week exercise program for cancer survivors called "Cancer Well-Fit"  They work with trainers in commercial gyms. So, it sounds like they may have training available that would be specific to working with cancer survivors.  I haven't gone on their website yet but it is www.cancerworkoutcenter.org.

Linda54

moodyk13 is a personal trainer that is a survivor....she is at the reconstruction site....

Lisa1964

I went back and spent more time on the TeamSuvivor website.  What a fabulous organization.  There is not one on my area but I did register to get info on starting one.  I then shecked out the websites of 2 of the affiliates in my state and WOWSA!!!  What an undertaking!!!  I would absolutely need some help.  I have freind that is a recent ovarian cancer survivorm, so I immediately e-mailed her to enlist some help.  I have another friend that is a cervical cancer survivor and she is next on my tag list!! 

I must, must move forward with my personal trainer certification!

Lisa

everyminute

I talked to the Team Survivor lady and am really looking forward to getting started.  My understanding is that you can start as small and stay as mall as you want but can grow it quite large as well!  I am filling out my application and getting started this weekend and will be starting with a walk/run/talk group.  I am also going to move forward with personal trainer cert.

Good luck!

Lisa1964

Everyminute, I wish we were closer in mileage!!!!!

I just sent off the request for my Team Survivor package today.  Starting with a walk/run/tlak group is very doable.  I am looking forward to it!

Lisa

everyminute

Well - they have an annual conference - the next one is in November in Chicago - maybe we will meet (with Lisa from PA) there!

I am going to order the ACE homestudy program and get busy!

living4today

I just wanted to say thank you to you all who have posted on this topic.  I was pursuing my wellness coaching certificate, thinking about personal trainer, when I got dx in Dec.  Now I feel my life, goals and dreams are on hold...reading your posts have helped me to look beyond the next five months of chemo....knowing that there will be life after this.  Thank you all and best wishes, I will enjoy reading about your successes.  Incidentally we have a cancer patient wellness program in our area that goes for 8 weeks.  We meet w/ a personal trainer, nutritionists, etc...my oncologists strongly recommends it.  My question is do I wait til I start chemo in 1 1/2 weeks, my tx is AC every other week x4, taxol weekly x 12 or start now??.  It was suggested by another bc survivor to wait until after AC (but this gal is in her 60's) and I am 40....your thoughts are greatly appreciated.  Thanks again and good luck!

everyminute

I did as much as possible during AC - there were days where I couldnt do much but other days where I was able to walk and it made me feel better to do something.  I say go for it!

Lisa1964

Living4today, START NOW!!!  I did not re-join the gym until after my 3rd tx and it was rough.  After #4 my blood counts crashed and I was not able to go.  Do everything you can now and you will have an easier time with the tx's.  I know when you are just starting the chemo, it is very scary and very daunting.  I am 8 days away from my final tx and I never thought I would see the end - but you will too.  Good luck and stay strong.

everyminute - Can you tell me your deciding factors in choosing the ACE program?  I have/had myself set on the ISSA Online program, but now I am second guessing myself.  Thanks.  Lisa

Anonymous

living4today...I taught aerobics and other fitness classes all throughout my chemo (AC+T) and di quite well. Everyone is different though...

Lisa & everyminute....I've done ACE and AFAA and I'd recommend ACE because there's no praticum testing and only a written test. The test is very challenging (esp. questions with answers like "A only," "A and C only"...you get the idea), but you can re-take if necessary and ACE is very well-respected.

Good luck to both of you!

~Marin

everyminute

Marin - thanks!  I have heard that ACE is very well respected as well - All of the trainers at my gym are ACE.  Dont know if that is a locale thing or what.  Gulp...I am ordering my home study program today!

Lisa1964

I am really confused now.  I went to the ACE website and was impressed.  Then I went to the website for my gym (Golds) to see what the trainer's there had.  One was ACE, one was ISSA and all the rest were NACM.  So I went to the NACM website.  Seems to be a much more difficult course AND it is much more expensive.

ISSA - $500 - that is all the study material, a hands one seminar and the test

ACE - $650 - study material and test, no hands on - split into separate payments for test and materials

NACM - $800 - study material, 2 days hands on and test

Ughhhhhh.....

Lisa

lisasayers

I started the process of a Team Survivor affilitate prior to the holidays...it will take a bit to get it going.  My website should be up this week.  You need to find around 4-5 people to sit on your advisory board.  But the team is what you make it...and it will start small.  Ronni will explain all that to you.  She started small too.

For now, my team will focus on Zumba classes and nutrition seminars.  We will add more as the team grows.  Plus one of my adivisory board members is the head of a new wellness facility and and also do triatlon training and we are going to incorporate that as well.

I know I have had a great response to the idea so far......go for it!

Anonymous

Once again, I'd recommend ACE or AFAA. These are the most respected, versatile certifications throughout the U.S. The others are somewhat more regional, so I'd say if they're cheaper, they'd be worth starting out with, but they're just as expensive, if not more.

Once you are certified, you'll find yourself in a position where you can decide how YOU want to serve our sisters. If you decide to go into private practice, you can focus on clients who are survivors. You can also pursue Team Survivor and, perhaps, feel that you are very well-rounded and able to better contribute your expertise..my brand new affiliate has begun with "walk & talks" and is about to offer a muscle conditioning and stretch class, as well as, like Lisa's above, weekly Zumba classes. Once those are up & running, we'll be training for a mini, indoor triathlon that is sponsored by the facility where I teach most of my aerobics and fitness classes. Finally, if you decide that you want to work individually with survivors, but don't want the hassles of private practice, you can find a wellness/health facility that is interested in co-creating a program specifically for that population.

I think that your enthusiasm for personal training and for the fitness field is awesome, girls, and I say ROCK ON!!!! If you need any particular guidance on careers in fitness, please feel free to PM me!

~Marin

Lisa1964

Marin, ACE is the cheapest I have found.  I have poo pooed ISSA because their test is non-proctored.  I was trying to make the decision between ACE and NACM.  I was going to go with NACM as they seem much more comprehensive.  But... ACE is much more affordable to start with.  If my career in this takes off, I can always get double certified.  In my area NACM is the most popular, but their are plenty of ACE  trainers too.

UGGHH!!!!

KatherineA

Lisa,

I agree ACE is the most widely accepted and best known. I have been certified since 1996. They also required continuing education. You can also sign up, once you are certified, to be listed to work with specialties. I haven't updated my blog for quite awhile but if you go to www.confidentclothingcompany.com you can read some of the articles I published about breast cancer and exercise. I had a client about 8 years ago that had a mastectomy and a frozen shoulder.  I did a lot of research then to learn how to help her through it. Little did I know I would use it for myself!

More and more people are realizing the benefits of exercise for breast cancer.

Also, I have 3 horses!!! When I couldn't run I could still ride. Great therapy!

Lisa1964

Thanks for the reply Katherine!!  I don't know what I would have done these past months if I could not ride!!!  I will go to your website and read your articles.  Thanks for the link and the info.

Lisa

Lisa1964

I finally sent off for my ACE Certification course today.  I had a few other loose ends to tie up before I committed to another project.

I would love a study buddy!

Lisa