A common step in searching our fitness advice or consult is to seek the services of a personal trainer.   

Personal trainers:

Trained professionals who advise on exercise as a prescription to better health.  The range of certification can vary and can the topic of much controversy, as there is not 1 benchmark for qualification like, for example, passing the bar exam to practicing law. The range and scope of practice can also be somewhat controversial. A personal trainer, for example, can often provide nutritional advice but many are not trained or certified to do so.

A personal trainer is like any other profession, there is a wide range of competence based on certification, knowledge, experience and skills.

Many consider a strength & conditioning coach a fitness coach. 

The S & C coach has much in common with the personal trainer but traditionally have worked with athletes as opposed to the general population.  The S&C coach has been focused on preparing an athlete for the demands of competition.

The evolving role of the S&C coach however is to work with the adult population as well as kids not just athletes.

At its very core, the S&C coach prepares their client for the physical demands put upon them.  That could be the 50 year-old who wants to move well, or the pro/college athlete or the young 10 year old who wants to make the local baseball team.

A fitness coach covers all, finding one becomes a subjective exercise in matching your needs to the skills of the coach.

We can all benefit from a fitness coach. Which one is best for you?