January is famous for New Years Resolutions and wanting to get in shape. Gyms are crowded, memberships increase and more people find personal trainers than any other time of the year. It’s also when more people become personal trainers to fill the demand they know exists.

When looking for our ideal trainer we are extremely picky as we know, all trainers are not created equal. We analyze the cost, their experience, skill level, and training style then select the one we think will cater to our individual goals. Finding a personal trainer for a child is no different and requires thought and a little research as few trainers are truly qualified to train children.

1. Physical differences. Children are not simply “mini adults” nor should they be treated as such. As their bodies are still developing, they are much more fragile than adults until they hit puberty. Strength training can be a great exercise for younger children when using lighter weights and proper technique. Weightlifting, however, can put too much strain on young muscles, tendons and areas of cartilage that haven’t yet turned to bone.
2. Knowing limitations. Many high intensity trainers are wonderful for pushing adults, as adults know their limits. Children, on the other hand, are unaware of their body’s limitations and may injure themselves if they push too hard.
3. Nutritional differences. Children have different nutritional needs than adults and require a healthy balanced diet. Putting a child on a low-calorie, low-fat, or low-carb diet, which restricts any food group or nutrients may damage their bodies. If in doubt, a good place to start is looking at the Food Guide Pyramid and reading the ingredients on nutrition labels before purchasing food.
4. Emotional differences. Children sensitive when it comes to weight issues and will feel they’re being picked on if confronted on the topic. Their egos are fragile as is their self-esteem. Avoid words like: fat, weight, overweight, obese and diet as the words tend to be negative and harsh. Focus on terms like:  healthy lifestyle, better choices, fit, active, and proper nutrition.
5. Focus on the positive. When working with children be sure to use positive reinforcement to build their self-esteem. No matter what the outcome, always praise them for working hard and trying their best.
6. Children should not be weighed. A child is supposed to grow, that’s their job. BMI testing is not a true level of body composition as it is only based on averages of height and weight. Additionally, if a child gains weight due to a growth spurt, they may confuse it with becoming “fat”. This may lead to larger self-esteem problems and possibly eating disorders later on. To gauge a child’s weight, simply look at the shape of their body and their activity level. Do they appear to be overweight? Do they have difficulty running with their peers? Do they tire easily or complain while exercising? Do they frequently “quit” sports stating they simply don’t like it?
7. Kids sweat differently than adults and tend to have a higher body temperature than adults and need to hydrate differently and more frequently than adults.