A professor of physical education at the University of Iceland says there are far too many personal trainers in Iceland with little to no education in their field.
The matter was brought to light, RÚV reports, when Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs Katrín Jakobsdóttir visited the Laugarvatn branch of the university. There, she discussed the subject of personal trainers with Sigurbjörn Árni Arngrímsson, a professor of physical education at the university.
When asked if many personal trainers received their education there, he said this was not the case. “What I find worst of all is when these places for example advertise for trainers with at least some education in the field,” he said. “But don’t want to hire people with more or better education. Maybe it’s possible to pay them less.”
He brought up a recent example, when a young woman training at Boot Camp suffered rhabdomyolysis, the rapid deterioration of muscle tissue caused by over-exertion and dehydration. This condition can lead to kidney damage and death.
“It’s like they want to set up a medical centre, with only nurses and paramedics but no doctors,” he said.
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