To the trainers: Concerned with licensure? - JP Fitness Forums

Esteban · 08-15-2006, 01:02 PM

(JP, feel free to move this to other section of the forum or remove it altogether.)

I'm curious: How many U.S.-based trainers participate in this forum? Are you aware of the ongoing licensure/NBFE/NCCA discussion in the industry? What are your thoughts on that?

JP, as an owner of a gym: Do you see this affecting your business?

To the rest of trainers here: Do you see this as something important that should be taken into account, or as something that should just be disregarded?

(I don't live in the U.S., so this doesn't concern me directly. However, it might be a concern for other forum participants.)

bulldogtraining · 08-15-2006, 01:14 PM

Are you referring to accredidation of various certifications or the national boards?

Personally, I am a fan of both. There are still too many joke certifications out there.

Of course there will always be lousy trainers with good certs, but let's take our certification process seriously.

Just my 2 cents.

dan

Esteban · 08-15-2006, 01:43 PM

bulldogtraining: Yes, I'm talking about accreditation, which would be represented by the NCCA-accredited organizations (ACE, ACSM, NASM, NSCA, NFPT, among others). The "opposite" side seems to be the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE), which is supported by different organizations (ISSA, AFAA, NESTA, among others.) Adding to that, some groups are now talking about establishing licensure for personal trainers, while others are trying to avoid it at all costs.

Since (I think) many people here work as personal trainers (PTs) themselves, or have a staff or PTs working for them, it would be interesting to know what they think about this whole issue.

John Izzo · 08-15-2006, 02:50 PM

There has been talk of a unified board certification for trainers since 2000-01. I don't think it will solve anything until each individual state develops legislature to regulate personal training and treat it as a "physician extended profession". Just like RD's and massage therpaists need state liscensure, so should true fitness professionals. Since the talks, there has been the creation of the NBFE, BOC, NCCA--all of which have "ties" to specifiic certifying bodies.

Esteban · 08-16-2006, 06:52 AM

standAPART,

While not directly pushing for licensure, The NBFE is supposedly an effort to standarize the personal training profession across the U.S.A., in the case that states begin to require the licensure of personal trainers. The standard would (according to the NBFE) avoid the formulation of different laws and regulations in each state.

However, only a group of the certifying agencies has decided to support the NBFE, while others have chosen to have their exams accredited by the NCCA instead, as they see several "flaws" in the NBFE.

I wonder how this affects the day-to-day work of personal trainers in the U.S.

John Izzo · 08-16-2006, 07:07 AM

Estaban,
Personally speaking, I have yet to be "affected" by all these talks. I just renewed some of my certifications and I did nothing different than what I always did to renew. I started a new job and did nothing new other than submitting copies of my certs. I hired 3 trainers and we never discussed teh NBFE, BOC, or NCCA.
Until I see a Personal Training unified board or liscensure as a serious issue on C-SPAN or CNN, then I will assume it is being taken seriously.

Like I said in another post, in the meantime, shows like "The Workout" on Bravo, "Celebrity Fit TV", "Biggest Loser" will remain a representation of the serious attention this field gets.

Esteban · 08-24-2006, 10:01 AM

standAPART,

I'm not familiar with the TV shows you mention. Are they good or bad? Do they depict personal trainers in good light?

Alcoholiday · 08-24-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

standAPART,

I'm not familiar with the TV shows you mention. Are they good or bad? Do they depict personal trainers in good light?

those shows are awful

Esteban · 08-31-2006, 10:49 AM

An interesting blog regarding licensure:

http://trainersadvocate.blogspot.com/

dos · 08-31-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcoholiday

those shows are awful

Some hot chicks on 'workout' though....even if some are lesbians.

Newlife · 08-31-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos

Some hot chicks on 'workout' though....even if some are lesbians.

lol.....so true.....all of it!!

Alcoholiday · 08-31-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newlife

lol.....so true.....all of it!!

they're hot, but they're annoying. it's typical women, it's all about drama. I hate that show b/c the main chick is an idiot.

09-06-2006, 11:26 AM

In regards to the certifications, I think that all share similar concepts yet seem to stray from the essentials of what to and not to teach. Like trainers, each company has there own idea and theory of how things should be applied. The flip side to that is that those with a degree in exercise science all share the same knowledge on anatomy, biology and math concepts. I mention this idea on schooling because, untill these certification companies come to an understanding on how exactly they need to educate there "possible" trainers, there will be no real issue on who can or can't become a trainer.