Formal academic training is required to be a professional

I think all personal trainers should have formal academic training from a college or university in the subject matter by qualified educators. 6 weeks is not enough time to be a professional and I don't agree with becoming a professional and then learn what you should know in the first place. Continuing education is part of all professions. I don't know how personal trainers can justify calling themselves a PT with so little knowledge. This is a disservice to those of us who have an education, who are professionals and take this industry seriously.

CanFitPro is the most recognized certification in Canada because they basically certify everyone with whatever background, made a lot of money and did an excellent job in marketing. I believe their trainers are a risk to the public and the increasing injuries will prove this some day.

Comments for Formal academic training is required to be a professional

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Rating

Continuing Education
by: Janice

Can Fit Pro requires you to obtain 4 continuing education credits per year in order for you to be recertified each year. So continuing education is part of their policy.

Rating

Personal Trainer credibility
by: Anonymous

I agree - one can take a weekend course, then a multiple choice exam and a case study, to become a "Personal Trainer." The exam is not difficult. No previous educational requirements are necessary, at all. Someone with no previous fitness experience, can take and pass the course, and I have seen many obese "Personal Trainers" who want to impart their "love of fitness" to others. It is a joke. Letting them loose on the public insults the credibility of professionals - and by that term I mean physiotherapists, kinesiologists, BSc's - anyone with a University level (or even a 3 year College level) degree or diploma. These people who are in the process of losing mountains of weight too, are often "passionate" and suddenly consider themselves experts.
Unfortunately at the gym level, it is difficult to make a buck. Can Fit Pro requires one to take more courses to keep up the validity of the first - so people then take the Nutrition course, or the Fitness Instructor course, or the Resist a Ball etc etc - and they become jack of all trades staff, and masters at nothing. More certifications means more chances to make a dollar - in an arena where pay is low. You do not see Physiotherapists working at rhe local gym.
The only requirement to become a local gym employee - be young, (coincides with company image)and other than that - anything goes, even obesity (seems to not matter to the company image)and incompetence

Rating

PTS theory exam for can fit pro help
by: Anonymous

hi i just want to ask you guys if the theory exam is exactly the same or is based on the study guide they give you because i did the online thing and i found it really hard but the study guide booklet was very easy for me so pls help

Rating

Education Huh
by: Anonymous

For those of you that believe you need a college education, and the ones that have blown the 30 or 50 grand of daddy's money to get it when in this day and age you can learn all you ever need to know about anything if you have a computer or a library card. Give me a break, I have been a personal trainer for 4 years with a 6 week course and learning all I need to know by talking to other trainers and reading books on fitness and nutrition. Grab some self discipline and educate yourself. If you are really good and help people and teach them what they need to know that's all that matters.....

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Personal Training Schools Canada.

Professional Certifications in Canada

by Denise
(Ontario, Canada)

Lets all just face the truth! If you want to call yourself a PROFESSIONAL and make personal training your career then you need to have an academic background (college/university) in the related subject matter. In addition to other skills that make a good personal trainer ie motivator, high energy, good communication skills, etc.

What Physio or Nurse do you know obtained their training over a weekend? Even a hair stylist has to complete a longer training program than a few weekends, so why do we accept these low standards from certifying bodies?! Eventually someone has to be accountable for this low standard of training. Our biggest concern becomes one of safety ie risk of injury for the public rather than the focus of helping Canadians become more active for their health.

Of course there are always going to be people who choose the shortest, easiest route in life. No way to police that. Where there is a will there is a way! They find it and there are organizations that provide the open door for these individuals.

Whether you are a client looking for a personal trainer or someone who wishes to become certified, do your homework, be educated about the lack of standards in this industry. Make the right choice.

I am not in support of these low standards and I challenge all of you in the health and fitness industry to help raise the bar for a healthy Canada!

Comments for Professional Certifications in Canada

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Rating

Low Standards
by: Anonymous

I agree wholeheartedly with your post.
There are no standards at the gym level, where the "trainers" have no educational requirements. The CanFiTPro "Personal Trainer" course can be taken BY ANYONE - even grade 5 would suffice!!! No previous physical activity is needed (one can be 100 pounds overweight, on a JOURNEY to REALIZE ONE'S PASSION for fitness), and, one need not even attend the course to write the exam. The answers are discussed during the course, and, the failure rate is LOW (or negligible). Physiotherapists stay in business tending to the injuries resulting from misinformed "Personal Trainers" let loose upon the public. Fitness Instructors are just as bad; classes are usually absent of safety precautions or advice, especially during weight and resistance training (no attention to form - instructors talk about themselves.
Yes - hairdressers spend at least 11 months studying and doing practical work at school. Forklift operators, truck drivers, bus drivers, aestheticians - for example, spend more time preparing for their career. Hairdressers must work for over 18 months before writing an exam to acquire their license. AND - these professions do not have to spend MORE $$ to "earn" yet another certification, to keep the previous one current - a REAL CanFitPro money grab.
The gym level - very cut throat, very unregulated and sleazy- everyone looking to make a buck while management earns the big $$.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Personal Training Schools Canada.