New exam, certification tests personal trainers

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The American College of Sports Medicine has developed an examination and certification for a large segment of fitness professionals that interact with the public personal trainers. Typically, according to a news release from the organization, personal trainers are people without an exercise science degree, but who have mastered key knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective instruction and counsel to the public. |ret||ret||tab|

The American College of Sports Medicine announced its new ACSM Certified Personal Trainer certification July 8 as a component in its strategy to address the rising rates of global obesity and increase the number of people who are physically active.|ret||ret||tab|

The new exam and credential will require a clear demonstration of critical knowledge similar to the requirements for the organization's existing certifications. |ret||ret||tab|

"One-third or more of the personal trainers currently interacting with the general public have not earned a college degree," said Steven J. Keteyian, PhD, FACSM, chair of ACSM's committee responsible for certification programs. "This, coupled with the industry's astonishing potential for growth, represents a tremendous opportunity to improve the public's health. We need to ensure that these individuals have the knowledge that will enable them to provide not only safe instruction but also highly effective guidance to clients and the public."|ret||ret||tab|

The additional certification will enhance and complement ACSM's existing certification line, which includes the ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor, ACSM Exercise Specialist, and ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist. ACSM will now be able to position well-trained and properly prepared professionals along the entire continuum of the health and fitness industry, from health clubs to outpatient medical clinics, the release stated.|ret||ret||tab|

"Those who become ACSM-certified Personal Trainers will not only possess, but demonstrate mastery of the core knowledge, skills and abilities that will enable them to deliver exercise counsel safely and effectively within a well-defined scope of practice," said Mike Niederpruem, ACSM national director of certification and registry programs.|ret||ret||tab|

"They will not hesitate to refer individuals to other exercise professionals whose training and preparation have equipped them to deal with more complex health issues and risks."|ret||ret||tab|

The new ACSM Certified Personal Trainer option will allow more professionals to be exposed to the professional development, resources and vast network of industry leaders of ACSM. ACSM Certified Personal Trainers will also be included on ACSM's ProFinder, an online resource which allows members of the general public to locate qualified and credentialed fitness professionals in their area.|ret||ret||tab|

ACSM is also announcing an exclusive partnership with Pearson VUE to provide computer-based testing for the new ACSM Certified Personal Trainer. |ret||ret||tab|

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