When Fitness is a Lifestyle

The ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor^® (HFI) is a degreed health and fitness professional qualified for career pursuits in the university, corporate, commercial, hospital, and community settings.  The HFI has knowledge and skills in management and administration and training and supervising entry level personnel.  The HFI is skilled in conducting risk stratification, conducting physical fitness assessments and interpreting results, constructing appropriate exercise prescriptions and motivating apparently healthy individuals with medically controlled diseases to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors.

More about the ACSM/NCPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT):
A CIFT is a fitness professional who assesses, develops and implements an individualized exercise program for persons with a physical, sensory or cognitive disability, who are healthy or have medical clearance to perform independent physical activity. CIFT certified professionals hold a current NCCA-accredited health/fitness certification and CPR and AED certifications. In addition to knowledge of exercise physiology, exercise testing and programming, a CIFT has knowledge in inclusive facility design, awareness of social inclusion for people with disabilities and the American with Disability Act (ADA).

Additionally the ACSM/NCPAD CIFT demonstrates and leads safe, effective and adapted methods of exercise; writes adapted exercise recommendations, understands precautions and contraindications to exercise for people with disabilities; is able to demonstrate safe and effective adapted methods of exercise, is aware of current Americans with Disability Act (ADA) policy specific to recreation facilities (US Access Board Guidelines) and standards for accessible facility design and can utilize motivational techniques and provide appropriate instruction to individuals with disabilities to begin and continue healthy lifestyles.

Information About NCPAD
The mission of the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) is to promote substantial health benefits that can be gained from participating in regular physical activity. The slogan of NCPAD is Exercise is for EVERY body, and every person can gain some health benefit from being more physically active. This site provides information and resources that can enable people with disabilities to become as physically active as they choose to be.

NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Scope of Practice
Personal trainers are health/fitness professionals who, using an individualized approach, assess, motivate, educate and train clients regarding their health and fitness needs. They design safe and effective exercise programs, provide the guidance to help clients achieve their personal health/fitness goals and respond appropriately in emergency situations. Recognizing their own area of expertise, personal trainers refer clients to other health care professionals when appropriate.

Since the NSCA’s inception in 1978, the organization has had a focus on strength train­ing and conditioning. The certification exams focus on the “real-world” responsibilities of personal trainers and strength and conditioning professionals. The exams have been validated; this process signifies that individuals are tested over the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to be competent in their respective professional career areas.

The CSCS and NSCA-CPT credentials have gained the reputation among employers and industry experts as being the most respected and preferred fitness-related credentials.

One of the reasons why they are highly respected and why those who have acquired these credentials display a great deal of pride in having earned them. The pass rate for the CSCS exam is 65.5%, and the pass rate for the NSCA-CPT exam is 54.9%.