Personal Fitness Professional - January 2008 - (Page 15) does a phenomenal job for those seeking a background in corrective exercise. If you gravitate toward an athletic clientele, the NSCA aligns with the needs of a strength and conditioning coach. If you’re a personal trainer or an aspiring trainer not yet sure of a specialty you may pursue, or if Which Is the Best Certification for You? I you would categorize your interest as general fitness and weight loss, ACE has a broad scope of information and options.” wouldn’t dare attempt a hierarchy of certifications Here’s an unfortunate reality: many aspiring trainers seek out the certifications they find to be from best to worst, although the questions asked the least expensive, the quickest to obtain or having the easiest tests to pass. This is a profession with often use the word “best.” The best certification is high stakes, as we’re intervening in people’s lives and affecting physical outcomes. Easy, quick and the one that best serves you, but it might not be cheap are not the right reasons. the same one a trainer two miles away might find Certification is intended to evidence an acquired knowledge, and there isn’t a single eightmost valuable. hour workshop or PDF download that can provide you sufficient knowledge to ensure that you If you aspire to work with a given popucan approach your clients with a promise lation, find a certification that lends of safe and effective exercise prescription. itself to understanding that particular Only with proven competence can you population and builds its body of work The best certification is the one that justify confidence, and, with both under using research specific to the desired your belt, rewarding compensation should end. If you seek employment with a best serves you, but it might not be follow. Study, compare, speak to accomparticular health club or fitness organithe same one a trainer two miles plished professionals, and choose the best zation, inquire as to which certification course of action for you. will best position you for success and away might find most valuable. Phil Kaplan is a personal fitness growth within the organization. trainer, author and health club owner, and Todd Durkin summarizes this his newest projects, the Be Better Project point well. “Finding a ‘match’ with ‘the and the Personal Trainer Business Alliance, promise to build new platforms upon which fitness right certification’ should begin with the search professionals worldwide can achieve their greatest success. For more information, please visit for an organization with a mission and values www.philkaplan.com. ● that align with your own. NASM, as an example, louder, the opinions need be heard and the judg- ments need to be based upon sound information. JAN-FEB2008 · WWW.FIT-PRO.COM 27 15 http://www.philkaplan.com http://WWW.FIT-PRO.COM
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