Personal Fitness Professional - March 2009 - (Page 21) not, but it helps an employer know that which trainers aren’t starting from the bottom. • Ensuring that participants of health fitness programs receive safe and effective guidance based on national standards. Most nationally recognized certification programs have established position statements and guidelines that help members of their organization follow standards that have been deemed safe and proper for the population and clients they may be working with. • Building marketability of the trainer through nationally recognized agencies that help to support and identify health, fitness and performance professionals. Larger organizations that carry national name recognition give their certified trainers instant credibility. • Providing a continuing education system so trainers maintain up-to-date knowledge and allow clients and business owners to know that their trainers are current with industry standards and training modalities. Sound organizations not only certify individuals but have a system in place that requires continuing education units (CEUs) that certified trainers must accumulate to maintain their certification status. By having a recertification process in place, it assures that trainers are taking the proper steps to maintain their knowledge and stay on top of the latest trends, training programs and safety issues addressing the industry. Jason Jones, Director of LifeStyleRX in Livermore, California, says, “LifeStyleRx requires all personal trainers to be certified. The certifications that we recognize are NSCA, ACSM, NASM, ACE, C.H.E.K and AFAA. Many personal trainers possess more than one certification, which we encourage.” He also added, “As a medical fitness facility, we pride ourselves on having degreed and certified personal trainers who are equipped to handle all fitness levels and special populations. The certifications listed above give our personal trainers the tools they need to handle many, if not all, of the special needs for these individuals. We see, today, the vast majority of the population take medication or have a health condition that plays a role in their exercise program design. Personal trainers who possess the knowledge to design exercise programs around these special health concerns thrive. Our management team feels these exams provide the best background for personal training.” So does having a piece of paper guarantee that one trainer will be a better trainer than another, have more clients, have more success and make a better living because they acquired a certification? No, and no one would argue that case. There are a number of great trainers making a fantastic living who aren’t certified. Certification cannot measure desire, effort, work ethic and persistence. The final question should be: What road is the best road to take for each individual? Can a certification make the journey easier, or does going on the path alone make more sense? That can only be answered by one person. Mark Roozen, M.Ed, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, is the new Director of Certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Mark is also owner and president of Performance Edge Training Systems (PETS), his company that does consulting, presentations, performance training and sport camps across the country as well as internationally (www.markroozenpets.com). You can contact him via email at mroozen@nsca-lift.org or rozyroozen@gmail.com. ● march2009 · www.fit-pro.com 21 http://www.markroozenpets.com http://www.fit-pro.com
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