CanFitPro and GoodLife Health Clubs

by Dawn
(Ontario)

CanFitPro is the most recognized across Canada because it is owned/operated by the same people that own/operate GoodLife health clubs. They NEED people trained--QUICKLY--because they go through them quickly. You don't have to know a lot to be one of their trainers because their emphasis is on SELLING training to people versus a true concern to help people meet their health goals.

It was noted that at least you can be working with people while you are getting advanced certification, this is true. Please note however that "working with people" at GoodLife/this level of certification really means putting them on machines for the "Fit Fix." They don't do any pre-screening or postural/muscle imbalances before putting people on the 6 machine program "that is tailor made for you." Therefore you're only re-enforcing and exaggerating a problem that may already exist--basically helping them hurt themselves quicker.

Let's face it, the majority of people (going to GL) that would need your help are elderly, special population, "newbies" and/or rehab- knee/back/shoulder injuries (2 out of 3 are in the last category). Using THAT profile as your starting point, is CanFitPro certification really helping ANYBODY?

Elderly people need help with balance and such, not sitting on a machine. Special populations will require special knowledge of their condition and usually equipment other than machines to recover them; same with rehab patients. Machines are not bad; you just have to get people to a healthy state before throwing them on a routine that is good for the average person. Start working only with CanFitPro certification and you will QUICKLY discover how much you DON'T know and it will probably discourage you from continuing in this area.

Don't be in a rush to "get on the floor training." Would you want a medical student just "diving in" and operating just because "they love medicine?" If you REALLY are serious about training, check out all the different types of training--from sports to rehab to prenatal, etc.. guerrilla training.. Olympic lifting.. Whatever. There is SO much out there that your $500 would be better used than CanFitPro certification.

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Sounded too good to be true
by: Stephanie

I thought it sounded too good. Thanks Dawn for sharing your insight and confirming my self-doubt about the CanFit program. It sounded too easy and I was concerned about my lack of experience and how it would affect clients. I won't shy away from becoming a trainer, I will just do it with more training and research.

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Can-Fit Pro Certification
by: Anonymous

I just want to comment that I totally agree with what Dawn (Ontario) posted. I completed my Can-Fit Pro Certification a couple of months ago. I did very well on both the practical and written exam, but still didn't feel satisfied, that I knew enough about how to correct muscle imbalances and incorporate them into a client's program. I have to agree, that I think most people have some sort of muscle imbalances, and if you threw them on a so called "healthy" balanced program, you could be worsening the imbalance or even set them up for injury. I seriously feel that this should be incorporated into the course, and there should also be more time spent on proper technique and form for several exercises for the major muscle groups. I've seen so many trainers demonstrating improper form and passing this on to their clients. Anyway, that is another issue all together.

Luckily for me, the gym that hired me, does postural/fitness assessments, so muscle imbalances are identified for each client. To help develop these clients' programs, I have relied on the 20 yrs experience of the assessor to review my programs, and readings from human kinetics books that I have purchased on my own. I am planning on taking the Advanced Personal Trainer's course, and am hoping that more of these issues are covered in that course.

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true
by: joe-blow who knows

I read over your comments, dawn, and would tend to agree with your concerns about goodlife as a monopolizing corporation. corporations cannot have a moral conscience/values in place, because they are all self-driven behind one main "behind the scenes value"; MONEY!

I find it funny sometimes how contradictory this company can be. However, steps are being taken to ensure quality service is being delivered.
Lets face it, the majority of people coming in to exercise do have problems that need be resolved by physical therapists beforehand, however perhaps what they really need is the motivation from an individual who embodies their idea of health and fitness. Motivation can drive a person to heal themselves spiritually rather than physically.

Health assessments (personal health profiles) are offered as a free service to members. The opportunity is their for these individuals to "fix" their "broken bodies", but they have to make the financial, emotional, and time commitment to their goals. therein lies the problem with our population. People are interested in this "quick fix" circuit because they believe it addresses all of their needs and goals quickly, affordably, and painlessly (just 30 mins 3x/week!)

To those individuals looking to invest time into can-fit-pro, it is a partnership in existence with goodlife that will never cease. If you want to join goodlife and take on the role as personal trainer, you must go the route of being certified as personal trainer specialist. The buck stops there! do not continue on with can-fit-pro's cert's. follow your own path, do your own research, and get certified in areas that you are passionate about.

Most of my successes' have come about through the knowledge and application process, wherein I apply what I have learnt through readings (reputable sources of course! try kendall physical therapy volumes)and learn what works and what doesn't. It takes time to grow as a personal trainer. stand on the shoulders of those that have "made it", or in your opinion embody the real version of a personal trainer who gets people the results they desire without the bullshit! excuse my language.

joe blow signing off, hope this information is helpful to you all.

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What about the CPTN
by: Maria

Thanks everybody for your comments, they were really helpful and just answered what I suspected about Can-Fit- Pro.
I love fitness and physical activity, I would go to college but unfortunately I can't because of the time. However I decided to start to move toward that direction by taking the Fitness Leadership Course at the YMCA and volunteer there for a while, then I found Can Fit pro and I was wondering if this was something that I could do, so I called them and it sounded too good to be true. Then I did some more reaserch and found the Certified Personal Trainer Network and it sounded more serious and close to what I am looking for. You actually have to take a workshop called "Art and science of Personal Trainer" in order to take the course. I was wondering if somebody heard anything about this institution and their certifications. Thanks again for the info!!

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CanFit Pro
by: Anonymous

Hi, I would have to say that I totally disagree with everyone's comments regarding goodlife and Canfitpro. I first joined goodlife with the intent of losing weight and achieving my goal and I did that with the help of a very special personal trainer. She did all the pre-screening that was required, was professional and helped me achieve my goal. Yes, it was expensive but worth it. All the trainers at 4 of the clubs that I go to are amazing. My husband had the same experience and did the CanFit Pro training and is now very excited to be with Good Life helping people achieve their goal. Yes, they are into sales - they are a corporation after all and why shouldn't they, but to say that they don't care is false because they do.

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True
by: Anonymous

I agree with this article. I really appriciate you taking the time to post this. I am a member of Goodlife and they are truely more focused on sales then the customer. What method would you recommend for a person to become healthy and fit?

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Two sides to a coin.
by: Anonymous

Goodlife can help you get fit, as can personal trainers there. So can Youtube (a seriously great resource).
It's hit or miss with many shades of grey in between. Many of the trainers didn't stop their education with Canfitpro's joke of a course, and will bear the possible expertise to get you into fighting shape. Many, unfortunately, will not.
However, the overt sales psychology is so prevalent at Goodlife that you will not necessarily be helped: A) In an applicable manner. B) Possibly at all. You still pay though.
I'd recommend talking with the trainer and asking how exactly they will get you to your goal. Thanking them and giving them due respect, I'd then suggest asking another trainer(s) what they would do.
From that you will hopefully have an idea of who is the best trainer for you.
If possible, talk to some of the trainers' clients. Ask them how they've changed physically since signing on. If you are worried about something in specific, ask about that too.

Finally, Goodlife is like any large gym franchise on the planet. Lots of misrepresentation and glamour, with lots of bad and good eggs sprinkled in at random. Canfitpro's course might leave one enthused for personal training, but enthused is not educated, is not prepared for the complexities of today's physical problems, is certainly not on par with any other major certification.

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Don't Assume!
by: Anonymous

As a GoodLife employee I would have to say your claim about "throwing" people on the fit fix and not truly designing a workout plan based on the specific needs of our clients is absolutely untrue, I feel as if you may be bitter from a bad experience?

We offer PHPs (Personal Health Profiles) here at goodlife, free for our members and we strongly suggest every member takes advantage of this opportunity. During a personal health profile a certified personal trainer takes your measurments, blood pressure, body fat percentage and performs a series of tests to discover weaknesses and stregnths. Upon conclusion of the PHP a work out planed is designed specifically for the client (designed around their specific wants, needs, medical issues etc) this workout plan is desinged whether the client decides to purchase personal training or not! We recieve very positive feed back from our clients and amazing results! I benefited from the workout designed for me and I learned a lot about my body and how to stregnthen my knees! :) Give GoodLife a try and judge for yourself!

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CPT course
by: Anonymous

I have to say I recently took this course, and yes it is only 3 days, but its a ton of information over those few days. Our instructor stressed that this is just the first step in becoming a successful and knowledgeable personal trainer. He stressed continued education, and Canfit requires continued education in order to keep your certification. I feel the course gave me a great understanding of the science behind exercise, and I understand that I will have to continue to learn, grow and take additional classes. They stressed that you should only train within the scope of what you have learned.

But I have to say I highly doubt I will work for Goodlife - I did years ago and it was all about the money and not the clients health.

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