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ACSM
*Other
certification programmes are modelled after ACSM,
but
no other meets the Gold Standard.
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ACSM
and HFI - Background Information
The American College of Sports Medicine was created in 1954. Today,
the College promotes and integrates scientific research, education and
practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain
and enhance physical performance, fitness, health and quality of life.
The American College of Sports Medicine has over 16,000 members in almost
60 countries.
The ACSM certification programme is regarded as the "Gold Standard"
of excellence for fitness instructors and personal trainers the world
over. It seeks to increase the competency of individuals involved in
health/fitness and cardiovascular rehabilitative programmes.
Insist on knowledge
& skills that meet the GOLD STANDARD
ACSM
certification - Provides the Best Measure of Competence.
The ACSM Certification provides a second to none bench-mark for competence
in exercise and sports science and health and fitness professionals
for clients and employers. It is the most rigorous in the industry,
requiring the highest level of knowledge and skill and establishing
the standard for all other certifications. Other programmes have used
ACSM certification as a model, but none has achieved ACSM's high standard.
ACSM
Certification Programme
There are 3 stages
to the HFI/ACSM route. The first step is for, aspiring Instructors/Trainers
to become recognised in the industry (by entering the REPs register)
as a Fitness Instructor by completing the HFI HFI
Certified Fitness Instructor (CFI) SM
. Then CFI qualified trainers go onto to the ACSM route starting with
the interim ACSM qualification, the ACSM cPT (certified Personal Trainer).
Then, after working
in the industry with the CFI and the ACSM cPT, ACSM
Health Fitness Specialist® (ACSM HFS–
Advanced Personal Training) is taken aim to show that trainers possess
an extended knowledge required of someone who will stand out as a Personal
Trainer.
The full syllabus
for the CFI, ACSM cPT and ACSM HFI can be found on this site.
“CFI”
– HFI Certified Fitness Instructor - for Aspring Instructors
and Trainers
Consists of:
· Home Study
· 5-day workshop
· Work placement (100 hours)
· Exam (practical and theory)
Benefits
-Mapped to UK National
Occupational Standards for Gym Instructing
Highly regarded
qualification as high quality and academic level
- Totally flexible study and preparation plan
- Fair price
- The best preparation for your career in fitness and personal training
- Advances candidates to the ACSM faster than any other qualification
“ACSM
cPT” – ACSM Certified Personal Trainer for
Qualified Instructors
Consists of:
Home study
· 4 day Gold Standard Workshop (or self-study option if you have
previously studied ACSM through your first fitness qualifications (eg.
CFI)
· 1 day exam (3 hour computer based)
Entry Criteria:
-Participants for
ACSM cPT must be at least REPS level 3 (if you are level 2 please call
for guidance about your work exerperience).
Benefits - The ACSM
Certified Personal TrainerSM is a fitness professional involved in developing
and implementing an individualized approach to exercise leadership in
healthy populations and/or those individuals with medical clearance
to exercise. Using a variety of teaching techniques, the ACSM Certified
Personal TrainerSM is proficient in leading and demonstrating safe and
effective methods of exercise by applying the fundamental principles
of exercise science. The ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM is proficient
in writing appropriate exercise recommendations, leading and demonstrating
safe and effective methods of exercise, and motivating individuals to
begin and to continue with their healthy behaviors. The Gold Standard
workshop is worth CPD.
"ACSM
HFS” – ACSM Health Fitness
Specliast®
For Qualifed and Experienced Instructors and Trainers
Consists
of:
· Home study
· 4 day Gold Standard Workshop
· 1 day exam (3.5 hour computer based)
Entry Criteria:
-Participants for
ACSM HFS must hold an undergraduate degree in a related topic or equivalent*
AND have at least 900 hours or work experience in the industry if prior
fitness qualifcations are not held. Contact us for entry criteria on
a case-by-case basis.
Benefits
· Shows you have degree level “health/fitness” knowledge
· Makes you stand out as a Personal Trainer – having a
higher academic level of qualification
· The ACSM HFS is a professional qualification to assess, design
and implement individual and fitness programmes for apparently healthy
individuals with controlled disease. The ACSM HFS is skilled in evaluating
health behaviours and risk factors, conducting fitness assessments,
writing appropriate exercise prescriptions, and motivating individuals
to modify negative health habits and maintain positive lifestyle behaviours
for health promotion. The ACSM HFS certification provides professionals
with recognition of their practical competences as a leader of health
and fitness programmes in the commercial, corporate, community, university
or self-employed settings. The Gold Standard workshop is worth CPD.
*a qualified fitness
instructor/trainer has:
· the CFI qualification (ie REPs) or another fitness qualification
allowing entry to REPs + over 900 hours of work experience as fitness
instructor and ideally the ACSM cPT
The ACSM
Clinical Exercise Specialist (CES)® - for clinical exercise
specialists.
This is a healthcare
professional certified by ACSM to deliver a variety of exercise assessment,
training, rehabilitation, risk factor identification and lifestyle management
services to individuals with or at risk for cardiovascular, pulmonary,
and metabolic disease(s). These services are typically delivered in
cardiovascular/ pulmonary rehabilitation programs, physicians' offices
or medical fitness centers. The ACSM Exercise Specialist® is also
competent to provide exerciserelated consulting for research, public
health, and other clinical and nonclinical services and programs. The
ACSM ES workshop consists of both theory and practical elements and
the exam tests both elements although the exam is computer-based.
ACSM
Resources
There are some essential resources for candidates taking the HFI Certified
Fitness Instructor (CFI)SM , ACSM CPT or the ACSM HFSSM.
There are also
some recommended background reading books available. If taking the HFI
Certified Fitness Instructor (CFI)SM most people order all
the essential and the recommended reading. If taking the ACSM HFISM
everyone orders the essential reading and some candidates order some
of the recommended reading as well to fill in particular gaps in their
knowledge. See
ACSM Resources Preparatory Texts.
Appeals Policy and Procedure
All students are assessed are against agreed and published criteria.
Achievement of these criteria is decided by assessors who are trained
to HFI Training Ltd standards and meet Externally verifiers requirements.
It is recognised that, in exceptional circumstances, you may wish to
appeal against recommendations or decisions relating to assessment.
Please contact alison@hfigroup.com if you would like to be sent our
full Policy and Procedure which outlines the action which may be taken
in such circumstances. This reflects a fully comprehensive and student
centred service.
