As the fitness industry matures, it is facing issues related
to certification and licensing that many other industries have already
faced. Movements are under way in various state legislatures to not only
certify personal trainers but also to require them to be licensed.
Many people in the industry are fighting these bills, but some do
welcome them. As the industry considers what role government should play
when it comes to trainers, a group is creating an industry certification
of fitness facilities themselves. This special report looks at both the
facility certification movement and the movement to certify and license
personal trainers and group exercise instructors.
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By Stuart Goldman, managing editor
The club industry is in the process of creating a standard
for a voluntary certification that some people see as crucial to
establishing the legitimacy of the industry. The goal of the standard,
some in the industry say, is to help make fitness clubs a more respected
resource in the eyes of the public.
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By Elaine Platt, owner, Smart Workout
Our industry organizations should work with legislators to
formulate legislation providing that certifications from agencies
recommended by them would become the criteria for obtaining a license.
States don’t know how to measure competency in the fitness field. They
need industry groups to provide them with standards.
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By Kevin Steele, principal, Communication
Consultants
From a political perspective, licensure will bring more
government oversight, bureaucracy and regulations to our industry. We
could potentially have state and/or federal agencies mandating how we
manage this segment of our business. Do we really want the government
“policing” our industry?
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By Stuart Goldman, managing editor
An update from March on personal training licensing bills
introduced in various states.
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By Stuart Goldman, managing editor
Despite ongoing state legislative activity related to
personal trainer bills, several companies that offer personal trainer
certifications say the bills will not affect their business.
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By Pamela Kufahl, editor
Don't let the industry create a club certification without
your input.
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By Stuart Goldman, managing editor
Industry leaders have repeatedly opposed bills that would
require the licensing of personal trainers, but one bill in California
may get everybody on the same page.
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By Pamela Kufahl, editor
As more states propose licensing for personal trainers, the
industry must decide whether to get on board and help craft the
legislation or fight its implementation.
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By Pamela Kufahl, editor
The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association
(IHRSA) is participating in the effort by NSF International, Ann Arbor,
MI, to create a voluntary certification process for owners of fitness
facilities.
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By Pamela Kufahl, editor
The Medical Fitness Association (MFA) has introduced a
facility certification program for medical fitness and wellness centers
as the number of these types of facilities has increased.
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By Pamela Kufahl, editor
IHRSA offered a third-party accreditation recommendation that
it hoped would sort through the certification mess, but another player
in the mix offers club owners another choice.
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| WHAT
OUR ADVERTISERS HAVE TO SAY | |
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The National Academy of Sports Medicine details the
advantages that obtaining an NASM certification offers to trainers and
the club operators who hire them.
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The National Federation of Professional Trainers offers
advice on what to look for in a good certification and which trainers to
hire.
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The World Instructor Training Schools updates legislative
action in the area of personal trainer licensing.
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