Does your trainer have the right stuff?

Anyone can call herself a personal trainer even if -- literally -- she doesn't know her deltoids from her from her derriere. That's because the term personal trainer has no more legal meaning than the terms personal chef or personal shopper. Theoretically, there are no requirements or skills essential to becoming a personal trainer other than the ability to print up business cards or advertise in the local penny saver. So who can you trust to tone your biceps and buff your abs safely and effectively?

Certification is one of the few generally accepted personal training qualifications. But with more than 300 personal trainer certifications being offered, it requires a certain amount of savvy to decipher what's relevant and what's not worth the paper its written on. Use this information along with the person's background, education, personality and work experience to make an informed decision regarding your personal trainer's certification credentials.

Go with the big three: At the very least, your trainer should be certified by one of the three major personal training organizations: the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). These three are widely accepted as the most professional and trustworthy certifying organizations. ACSM certified trainers are tested on understanding medical history, fitness testing, determining fitness level and creating exercise routines appropriate for each exerciser. ACE exams emphasize creating well-rounded programs for a variety of clients including athletes, older people or those with orthopedic problems. NSCA exams focus largely on understanding anatomy and weightlifting technique.

Understand the difference: Even among the big three, not all certifications are created equal. The ACSM, for example, offers several different levels of certification. The health fitness instructor (HFI) requires a college degree and is more stringent than the exercise leader (EL), a certification geared towards entry-level trainers and group class instructors.

The more the better: If your trainer has several certifications, including a combination of the big three, so much the better. That indicates your trainer's desire to keep current and learn more about what's going on in fitness. This is especially true for trainers who specialize in such things as yoga or tai chi, because there are no large national yoga or tai chi certifying bodies.

Beware of the Internet: Although there are some respectable personal training correspondence classes offered via the Internet, some online credentials are nothing short of bogus. For example, there are several Websites that offer kickboxing certifications to anyone who can answer 10 simple questions and pay $90. Getting the answers wrong is not a problem -- you can take the test as often as you like until you pass. Heck, they'll even give you the correct answers to study. Not once do these certifications ask you to prove your knowledge of kickboxing, a very complex exercise form that requires months of study -- at the very least -- to become a proficient teacher.

Ask for proof: Don't take a trainer's word for the fact that they have earned their certifications. Get proof. Ask to see the certificate and be sure to check the expiration date. In order to maintain a certification, your trainer must acquire a certain amount of continuing education credits throughout the year.

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