Personal Injury Lawyer

How much is too much? How far can you push yourself? In the realm of physical fitness and competitive sports, athletes seek to find their limitations – and then push past them. Perhaps you have a private trainer for lifting and weight gain, or a group trainer for a specific competitive team sport. If you are athletic, you probably already have a basic understanding of different safety precautions that must be taken by the gym, the trainer, and yourself. However, once a person hires a trainer, that person expects a professional level of care during warm-ups, cardio, and weights. If you have been working with a personal trainer and have been injured, you may be confused about liability, and if you have any right to recovery. Unfortunately, injuries at gyms occur all the time, and a personal trainer does not guarantee safety.

This is a common question for those injured during training. If you have been working with a personal trainer to step up your fitness game, it’s natural to be confused about what to do if you get injured during one of those sessions. Often, what starts out as a minor tear or injury can be exacerbated if not treated immediately and properly. 

Unfortunately, not all trainers have been educated equally, and may not be a reliable source of information when you feel an unexpected pain during a workout. Often, those employed at gyms have had minimal training in both the science of physical fitness and the harms that can occur from improper form or procedure. 

Personal trainers can cause injuries, or allow injuries to occur, due to inadequate training. Should you choose to work with an individual, ask about their credentials. Find out what fitness programs they are familiar with, and for how long they have practiced. Unfortunately, many gyms hire employees that may look the part, but do not have the proper knowledge or experience. From a cursory glance online, certifications that have almost no preparation or testing are available for purchase. If the gym owner does not inquire beyond a fancy certificate, they may employ someone who is not as experienced as they expect.

A weak understanding of proper form and technique can cause a variety of injuries. Instructions may not be clear, or even correct. The trainer may be distracted on their phone, and not spot you properly while you are handling large weights. If you protest that you have pain, they may advise you to continue pushing beyond your capabilities. Lifting too much weight can cause muscle and ligament tears that cannot heal properly without surgery. 

If you have been injured due to the negligence of a personal trainer, you may need a personal injury lawyer to represent you and your rights.