Generally, I feel that another certification is only warranted if you a) have a sub-standard certification or b) it is a comlementary specialized certification that isn't just a basic certification from another organization. I say this from experience of holding multiple certifications. The renewals just get too expensive.
I'm going to disagree with Amanda here and I will do so with all due respect (Amanda is a very accomplished figure in the industry and is a very smart individual who puts on great workshops). I don't have a proplem with can fit pro cert. per se, but I have some issues with the organization as a whole.
I think that Can Fit Pro has taken a bit of a monopoly on the industry in terms of conferences and certifications which is a shame (they are a conglomerate with very strong ties to Goodlife - the Walmart of fitness clubs in Canada). They did break off ties with Twist Conditioning, but prior to that, best of luck learning ANYTHING sport-specific related from anybody other than a Twist employee. I say that with respect to the twist people who are very much cutting edge, I just want to see variety - without promoting products.
I don't think it's advantageous to have one company controlling most of the conferences. The problem is that other conferences/workshops will pop up (at least here in Vancouver) that have much better speakers, but they tend to be overrun by sub-standard Can Fit offerings. Case-in-point, Stu McGill did a workshop in Vancouver and it was like pulling teeth to get trainers to come out to see him. The Toronto conference brings in big names, but the rest of them are crap! We get screwed out in BC because for whatever reason nobody big wants to come out this way. Plus, they hold the conference in whistler now which is great if you want to fork out big $$ to stay there, but lousy if you don't have the scratch to do it.
Just because they are well-recognized does not mean they are good. I think Can Fit are guilty of watering down the credibility of certifications by turning it into a mill of different certification streams. I mean, come on - do we really need to have a "resist-a-ball" certification? What if I want to use a different brand of ball - do I need to be a "swiss ball" certified trainer?
This rant isn't trying to diminish one organization, it is to point to a bigger industry-wide problem. I do feel much better now though!
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