Alwyn's Certification : Misrepresented? - JP Fitness Forums

novaruggirl · 10-19-2007, 07:47 AM

While reading through the credits, etc of The New Rules of Lifting, I noticed that Alwyn is credited with being CHEK certified. Isn't that a misrepresentation? CHEK certified means having completed the entire span of CHEK certifications (which are more extensive and have both written and practical evaluations) as well as having written a thesis. I don't believe Alwyn has even completed one certification, let alone aall of them plus a thesis.

Completing a correspondence course or two does not a certification make.

I'm just surprised that such a gross misrepresentation would be made in a published book, and that Alwyn, whose information presentation is otherwise great, would feel the need to publicly attribute to himself credits he doesn't have.

John Izzo · 10-19-2007, 07:51 AM

Slow down...how do YOU know of Alywn's credentials? Maybe he did complete the entire CHEK cert. He's been in the game for a long time and his credentials didn't begin when you first heard of him or used to help write a book.

jruck37 · 10-19-2007, 08:07 AM

That's an interesting way to introduce yourself to the boards.

Chris Correia · 10-19-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novaruggirl

While reading through the credits, etc of The New Rules of Lifting, I noticed that Alwyn is credited with being CHEK certified. Isn't that a misrepresentation? CHEK certified means having completed the entire span of CHEK certifications (which are more extensive and have both written and practical evaluations) as well as having written a thesis. I don't believe Alwyn has even completed one certification, let alone aall of them plus a thesis.

Completing a correspondence course or two does not a certification make.

I'm just surprised that such a gross misrepresentation would be made in a published book, and that Alwyn, whose information presentation is otherwise great, would feel the need to publicly attribute to himself credits he doesn't have.

Methinks this warrants an investigation.

Novaruggirl: Why do you care? How are you invested in this? Why choose to post that at this time, much less at all?

chrisoldcorn · 10-19-2007, 08:29 AM

If you want to question someone's certification that's fine but not in a public forum BEFORE you either talk to that person (Alwyn in this case) or the certification body (CHEK in this case).

All certification organizations will tell you if a person is certified with them and a lot can be checked through their websites. Did you do EITHER of these things before this post?

Lou Schuler · 10-20-2007, 05:33 AM

The reference to Alwyn being CHEK certified is seven words in a lengthy paragraph in the book's introduction that pokes fun at the surplus of credentials people like Alwyn have. The joke is that I sum up all those letters (including Alwyn's master's degree, CSCS, and USA Weightlifting credential) in a single *.

In Chapter 2, I give Paul Chek credit for coming up with the idea of designing training systems around six or seven basic human movements. As I explain, I didn't know Chek had come up with this idea first -- I thought I was brilliant enough to have thought of it on my own -- until Alwyn told me.

How did Alwyn know? Because he had attended Chek's seminars in the process of getting his certification.

Cynic · 10-23-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou Schuler

In Chapter 2, I give Paul Chek credit for coming up with the idea of designing training systems around six or seven basic human movements. As I explain, I didn't know Chek had come up with this idea first -- I thought I was brilliant enough to have thought of it on my own -- until Alwyn told me.

I thought it was Schmidt and his six moves: squat, deadlift, push, pull, lunge and twist.

I haven't cracked that book in a while, except to read the programs.

PowerManDL · 10-24-2007, 12:17 PM

Who cares? Alwyn knows what he's talking about regardless of what letters are after his name, and Paul Chek is a fringe loony anyway. I fail to see why it's that big a deal.

Pman · 10-24-2007, 05:24 PM

The OP still only has one post. I smell a troll!

It is funny how many people follow letters after someones name so closely.

I. Kay · 10-24-2007, 07:21 PM

I agree with PMDL... I don't give a shit if Alwyn has NO certifications. His ideas are sound and his stuff works. I'll be keeping an eye out for Novaruggirl (and any more bizzare posts) in the future.

JoshDunn · 10-24-2007, 09:27 PM

Not saying that letters are the be all end all. However if Alwyn didn't have ANY letters, do you think we'd all still listen to him?

Not talking about the CHEK crap just in general.

PowerManDL · 10-24-2007, 10:25 PM

Good advice is good advice, no matter the source.

Maybe some folks wouldn't pay attention, but I try not to be that closed-minded. Their loss.

Cynic · 10-25-2007, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshDunn

Not saying that letters are the be all end all. However if Alwyn didn't have ANY letters, do you think we'd all still listen to him?

Not talking about the CHEK crap just in general.

Well, it would have to be in relation to something. The letters designate his qualifications in relation to someone who doesn't have them. There are those w/o certs that know their thing, but there is the addition that AC is recognized by industry leaders (hell, AC is an industry leader, at that).

What if someone knew all that AC knew, but, had no certs, had no recognition by the industry...would you follow his advice? Would someone who doesn't know the technical details of fitness, but does know how to research someone's qualifications, be wrong to reject him/her?

Certs are a good start, but recognition is ultimate. Alwyn has both, bigtime.

I have more faith in AC than Chek.

UConnJulie · 12-07-2007, 08:02 AM

Hmmm ... this troll never posted again, but I wonder if she emailed Alwyn directly given his blog post from today ...

Quote:

Q: Hi Alwyn. I just picked up The New Rules of Lifting - very good. I noticed in your bio that you are/were certified with the Chek institute - would you recommend doing the certification? Do you agree with all the concepts? I just wanted an educated opinion from someone with your knowledge.

A: I am a fan of Paul Chek and all the Chek practitioners. Prior to my cancer relapse I actually hired a CHEK practitioner to help me with the back pain I was experiencing. Unfortunately the back pain was a tumor...

I suppose Paul has had his critics over the years but I think he's one of the smartest people in the field.

Anyway - I have learned something from every seminar I've ever been at. Can more education ever be a bad thing? I doubt it. I really enjoyed the CHEK certification course. I took CHEK Level I under Suzi Nevell in 2003, which at the time was a very in depth nine day course - the prerequisites of which included a Program Design correspondence course and two weekend seminars - Scientific Back Training and Scientific Core Conditioning.

I have learned a ton from Paul and the institute staff over the years and think it is definitely worthwhile to add their educational material to your toolbox.

In fact - I like my staff to have gone through all of the following Chek Institute material:

Eat, Move and Be Healthy

Scientific Back Training

Scientific Core Conditioning

Program Design

--
AC

John Izzo · 12-07-2007, 11:22 AM

People have too much f*ckin' time on their hands.

BjsAust · 12-07-2007, 05:10 PM

Lol, good thread.

Alwyns gets respect from his history of results and peer reviews of his articles. If someone else knew exactly the same stuff but didnt have the history of results and peer review of articles they probably wouldnt get the same respect. Theres a pretty damned obvious reason for that.

Results count.