We're Actually Certifiable! (and credentialed!)
Dr. Tim “Doc Rocket” Lightfoot
Lighten The Load
Scene: A dark alley; steam rising from manhole covers. Several street lamps are burned out leaving most of the alley in shadows. A recent rain has left the ground with a slick sheen…..
Man in Overcoat (hat pulled down low over his eyes – wearing a beat-up trench coat several sizes too large): “Psst. Hey You!”
You (yes, you reading the article - looking around): “Who me?”
Man: “Yes, you. There’s no one else reading this article, is there?”
You: (stammering) “Uh, no. But how can you talk to me? You’re just a voice in my head…”
Man: “Are you sure?”
You: “I think so, but now that you mention it maybe I’m having a flashback to one of my philosophy courses…”
Man: “Never mind that. Listen…” (his voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper) “I’ve got some exercise advice for you. It’s good stuff. And cheap. You want some?”
You: “ummm….I don’t know. Oh yeah, right, I don’t have my wallet with me.”
Man: “That’s okay…I’ll give you a free sample. It’ll help get you in better shape, you’ll lose 30 pounds, you’ll have more energy, and you’ll even look better in only days!”
You: (snorting and gaining courage) “Yeah right. Now you’re starting to sound bogus. Do you even know what you are talking about?”
Man: (gleam in his eye and slight smirk) “Well of course I do. I exercise every day; I have since I was a kid! Plus, I look really good in spandex! You should see my pecs! If anyone knows about exercise, it is me!”
You: (softening) “Well, I guess you have a good point – other than speaking with exclamation marks! I mean, I exercise every day – it IS fairly easy. There can’t be that much to giving out exercise advice.”
Man: (with a slow chuckle) “That’s what I like to hear. So, come closer and let me show you the exercise programs I can give you” (he slowly opens up one side of his coat and there are several sheets of paper in the coat).
You: “Wait a minute! You’ve got to do more than work-out and look good in spandex to be able to prescribe exercise programs!” (you get a suspicious look and arch one eyebrow) “So tell me, Mr….Mr. Man. What type of education you have? Do you have a college degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology?”
Man: (now defensive) “Education, smeducation. Those people don’t do anything but learn about anatomy and physiology and proper nutrition and exercise prescription and….and…” (he’s fumbling for his words) “and exercise testing! Yeah, they learn about all those boring, well researched things. They don’t know nothing about the newest supplements or work-out programs. Those educated people don’t know anything!”
You: “That’s what I thought – you don’t have any education to back up what you are saying! I bet you don’t even have any other credentials. Like any certifications from either the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association. I bet you didn’t even realize that the folks that do exercise testing and prescription for cardiac rehab patients are actually Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologists – you know, like Registered Nurses only for exercise…”
Man: (blank look on his face) “What are you talking about? I’ve got certifications – I’m a certified Exercise Trainer. I got it by sending in $20 to this place in Arizona – they even said that they could make me a doctor!!!”
You: “Yeah right. Like I would go to any physician that got his degree in the mail. And that also applies to anybody who claims to be an exercise professional that got their credentials without any education and no testing. Pffftttt….go sell your snake oil to someone else.” (you walk away shaking your head)
Man: “Wait, wait! You don’t want exercise? I’ve got some great supplements to sell you!!! Protein powder, creatine….(his voice slowly fades as you walk away – besides supplements is a whole ‘nother article!)
You: (looking straight into camera) “I guess he thought I was a chump and would accept exercise advice and prescription from just anyone. I only go to a CPA for tax advice; only to a licensed physician for medical advice. Why would I risk my time, money and potentially my health by going to anyone other than a properly educated and credentialed exercise professional? It’s just not worth the risk!”
Narrator: “This has been a Public Service Announcement from Lighten The Load. Make sure your exercise professional is both educated and credentialed!”
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So what are appropriate education and credentials for an exercise professional?
Appropriate educational background for an exercise professional:
Bachelor’s (B.S.) degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, or Health Fitness
Master’s (M.S.) degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, or Clinical Exercise Physiology
Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Exercise Physiology or related area (such as Biodynamics)
Governing Professional Organizations for Exercise Professionals:
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) – ACSM was founded in 1954 to advance the science of exercise medicine. ACSM is a non-profit professional governing body, and as a result of their mission, the large majority of the professional practice body of knowledge for exercise professionals – especially in aerobic exercise prescription and cardiac rehabilitation – has come from ACSM. ACSM offers the ProFinder on their website (www.acsm.org) to help people find qualified exercise professionals in their area.
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) – NSCA was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organization focused on elevating and strengthening (pun intended) knowledge and application of strength training. Most of the professionals in NSCA and with NSCA credentials work with athletes and other individuals interested in performance. A growing number of NSCA professionals also work with other populations to increase health. The NSCA website (www. nsca-lift.org) contains more information regarding their programs and credentials as well as their Find A Trainer locator.
The Gold Standard Professional Credentials for Exercise Professionals:
Health Fitness Instructor (ACSM) - A person with this credential can work with health populations in a variety of exercise settings, must have a B.S. in Exercise Science, in most cases has passed a hands-on practical exam administered in their accredited/approved educational program, and has passed a national certification exam.
Exercise Specialist (ACSM) – An Exercise Specialist can work with both diseased and healthy populations in a variety of exercise settings but usually do soin a Cardiac Rehab setting; they must have a M.S. in Exercise Physiology, and have passed a national certifying exam.
Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM) - This person can work with all populations in a variety of settings, but usually works in a clinical setting with several different disease states; must have a M.S. in Exercise Physiology, and has passed a national registry exam. This credential – the RCEP – is rapidly becoming the standard for exercise professionals that work in a clinical setting and is the basis for efforts to license CEPs in several states.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA) - These professionals have, at a minimum, a B.S. degree in Exercise Physiology and specialize in working with healthy populations to increase their strength and endurance in competitive situations.
A short word about other ‘fitness organizations’ and other exercise credentials
It was recently estimated that there were 350-500 different fitness organizations in the U.S. giving out some sort of exercise credential (over 1400 credentials!). Many of these organizations are ‘for profit’ organizations; while they may have a noble-sounding mission, many are just about the bottom-line profit. Thus, they make more money the more people that they churn through their certification programs. Few require formal education to sit for their exams and many can be had just by submitting a specific fee.
ARE THERE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS? (i.e. the “my friend Bob has a certification from the IXYZ organization and he is good at (fill in the sport)” defense): There are a few organizations that provide specific, niche exercise certifications, such as certifications for aerobic dance or certifications to teach spinning classes. In most cases, individuals with these certifications at best, have undergone a short workshop and in most cases have no formal education. Thus, while these individuals can teach specific courses, their expertise does not extend into providing specific exercise prescription and advice.
