It’s buyer beware in fitness industry
Check to see if trainer, instructor is certified
Are you getting what you paid for?
As the fitness industry continues to boom, and fitness remains an appealing business opportunity, it has become increasingly challenging for the industry to maintain professionalism and high standards of practice.
It is becoming more and more popular for individuals and companies to self certify or claim to certify others in their method of training without the appropriate qualifications. So … buyer beware!
Have you ever wondered if the person that is leading your favourite group fitness class, cycle, yoga, Pilates or personal training session is qualified? What are the qualifications to be fitness professional based on industry standards? As a certified trainer of trainers, I took it upon myself to do an informal study on what consumers know about their preferred instructors.
The results I found were very interesting and somewhat concerning. Most people I spoke to indicated that they assumed the person guiding them through a workout was certified and had the appropriated credentials. In doing a bit of investigation it was fascinating to find that a number of instructors and trainers do not hold a current recognized certification in their area of so- called expertise.
Herein lies the challenge for the consumer. The fitness industry is not regulated. Unlike other health care providers, the fitness industry does not mandate that trainers and instructors be certified. In other words, you could give yourself the title of qualified personal trainer or instructor without the education that is required to consult and lead individuals with their health and fitness goals.
We would never trust a physician who is not educated in medicine and does not have a licence to practise. However we may currently may be placing our health, fitness, wellness and nutrition in the hands of fitness providers who are not educated and have not accomplished a level competency based on industry standards.
Currently it is the health clubs, facilities and studio owners and operators that mandate whether the instructors and trainers they hire are certified or hold a secondary degree in a health and fitness field. My recommendation is to do your research before committing your well- being and hard earned dollars. Ask whether the health club or studio only hires certified trainers and if you are working with an individual ask for his or her certifications and credentials.
A basic certification verifies the instructor has studied and successfully passed an exam demonstrating they have the base knowledge of human physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, movement, exercise technique, risk and injury management, safety and leadership skills. It also shows they have undergone a practical observation that demonstrates competency in communicating and delivering this knowledge.
There are a number of agencies that offer base certification for fitness trainers. The preferred certifying agencies have achieved a third- party accreditation. Thirdparty accreditation establishes standards so the fitness industry can regulate itself, ensure that fitness professionals are qualified, and protect clients and health clubs.
In Canada the NFLA ( National Fitness Leadership Alliance) develops, promotes and implements national standards for the accreditation, training and registration of exercise professionals in Canada. The individual provinces in Canada have recognized certification bodies that are accredited by NFLA. In Alberta the recognized certification is AFLCA ( Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association). There are other organizations that provide education and base level knowledge but may or may not be accredited. In Canada the most recognized certifications for group fitness are AFLCA, YMCA of Canada, CanFitPro and ACE ( American Council on Exercise).
Within the broad categories of group fitness there are many specialized training. These trainings are specific to equipment or training techniques. This may include indoor cycling, boxing, group strength training, dance based classes, TRX, BOSU and more. These specialties do not certify instructors. These are trainings that complement the base certification and are not a certification in itself. For example an instructor may be trained in indoor cycling ( spin) but may not be certified unless they hold a recognized fitness certification. Without a certification the instructor cannot hold the appropriate liability insurance and will not be covered in case of an incident.
In looking at the credentials for personal training, things get a bit more complicated. In North America some of the most respected certification organizations are the CSEP- CPT ( Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology — Certified Personal Trainer), NASM ( National Academy of Sports Medicine), ACSM ( American College of Sports Medicine), NSCA- CPT ( National Strength and Conditioning Association-Certified Personal Trainer) and NFPT ( National Federation of Personal Trainers). Many personal trainers may hold a university degree in kinesiology or a personal fitness trainer diploma through Mount Royal University. Beware of personal trainers who have received their training from watching their favourite celebrity videos.
Yoga and Pilates have a number of schools for training and each unique in the approach. My recommendation is to look for yoga instructors who have completed a minimum of 200 hours of training and are registered as a RYT by Yoga Alliance. The Alliance is a professional association that maintains a central teachers’ registry that recognizes and promotes teachers with training that meets the alliance’s standards.
Similar to the Yoga Alliance, the Pilates Method Alliance ( PMA) is a professional association whose mission includes establishing certification and continuing education standards and advocating for those who follow the teaching of Joseph and Clara Pilates.
Navigating the fitness industry can be very challenging as there are so many certifications. In fact, there are too many to list in this article. It can be overwhelming even for those in the fitness industry full time. My hope is this gives you knowledge to move forward with your fitness pursuits with more confidence to know the difference between someone who is truly certified and someone who may be stretching the truth.