Many things come to mind when discussing legal concerns as a personal trainer.
I"d say on of the biggest concerns is potential liability. One must take extra caution not to let legal issues arise. These chances can be drastically reduced in many ways.
First and foremost, you should be certified as a personal trainer. Being certified will provide you with the knowledge you need to start running a successful business. Consider this the foundation for your protection as a personal trainer. You should become certified through an accredited institution regardless if you are starting your own business or if you desire to work for a gym or fitness facility.
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The second thing you should do is to obtain sufficient liability insurance. Shop around and find a highly respected company. Obtaining liability insurance is a major concern; as it will not only protect yourself but also your clients should an unexpected incident occur. This should be considered a priority and should not be over-looked. .
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Obtaining proper permits and business licenses is also a must if you are planning to go into business on your own. In most cases your liability insurance may not cover you if you do not have proper licenses to run your business. .
Proper training on equipment and techniques is also essential .You should know how to properly use each exercise machine and how to execute each exercise appropriately. If not, how could we ever adequately advise or clients on proper use and safety techniques? Improper training and insufficient knowledge can pose the possibility of injury to the clients and/or our self and pose liability issues. This also demonstrates unprofessional behavior and irresponsibility as a personal trainer.
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Over-estimating our training abilities can also cause risk of liability to the client.