ISSA Fitness Certification for Seniors
09-20-03, 07:20 AM
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ISSA Fitness Certification for Seniors
(This ia a repost as it was lost when the database screwed up.)
I am excited about a new certification in Senior Fitness offered by ISAA
https://www.issaonline.com/courses/sfoa_stuff2.cfm
In about 1.6 years I will have enough years in my latest renewed career of teaching to officially retire at age 66.
I love working out and general fitness activities including biking, of course. This seems to fit me to a "T".
A new, extremely well equipped fitness center has opened near us, and we have joined. I was talking to the manager/owner last night and he is excited about the certification (in fact, he suggested it to me) and the market available in the Senior sector for fitness. They have the money and the need as only 1 in 4 seniors exercise regularly.
So, I am going to get certified prior to my "retirement" (never) so that I can work in a field which I love and even earn some income, and also have some flexible time.
I have been working out in a variety of methods for about 10 years now, and this whole thing seems right.
Of course, biking will be one of my recommended fitness/cardio activities
I am excited about a new certification in Senior Fitness offered by ISAA
https://www.issaonline.com/courses/sfoa_stuff2.cfm
In about 1.6 years I will have enough years in my latest renewed career of teaching to officially retire at age 66.
I love working out and general fitness activities including biking, of course. This seems to fit me to a "T".
A new, extremely well equipped fitness center has opened near us, and we have joined. I was talking to the manager/owner last night and he is excited about the certification (in fact, he suggested it to me) and the market available in the Senior sector for fitness. They have the money and the need as only 1 in 4 seniors exercise regularly.
So, I am going to get certified prior to my "retirement" (never) so that I can work in a field which I love and even earn some income, and also have some flexible time.
I have been working out in a variety of methods for about 10 years now, and this whole thing seems right.
Of course, biking will be one of my recommended fitness/cardio activities
09-20-03, 12:37 PM
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Fox,
I think that is wonderful. My wife is a certified aerobics instructor, teaching Cardio Kick-Boxing three times per week. She is 55. She is also one step below a Brown Belt in the Shidokkan Style of Okinawan Karate. She is in great physical shape.
My daughter, by the way, is 2nd Dan Tae Kwon Do Black Belt and a three time U.S. National Juniors Champion and two years ago won the U.S. Cup, an international competition at Yale.
I am content to be a Green Belt at cycling!
You might want to look into taking your fitness on the road. That is visiting senior and assisted living facilities. Some seniors have hard time getting around and taking it too them might be a valuable service.
I think that is wonderful. My wife is a certified aerobics instructor, teaching Cardio Kick-Boxing three times per week. She is 55. She is also one step below a Brown Belt in the Shidokkan Style of Okinawan Karate. She is in great physical shape.
My daughter, by the way, is 2nd Dan Tae Kwon Do Black Belt and a three time U.S. National Juniors Champion and two years ago won the U.S. Cup, an international competition at Yale.
I am content to be a Green Belt at cycling!
You might want to look into taking your fitness on the road. That is visiting senior and assisted living facilities. Some seniors have hard time getting around and taking it too them might be a valuable service.
09-20-03, 01:19 PM
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Originally posted by TrekRider
Fox,
You might want to look into taking your fitness on the road. That is visiting senior and assisted living facilities. Some seniors have hard time getting around and taking it too them might be a valuable service.
Fox,
You might want to look into taking your fitness on the road. That is visiting senior and assisted living facilities. Some seniors have hard time getting around and taking it too them might be a valuable service.
I have considered that, and may end up going that direction. Right now, I am thinking more of the $$$ post 50+ baby boomer with a sudden awareness that he/she is fat, flabby and totally out-of-shape, and death is not too far away, willing to spend time and $$ to get in better shape and enjoy life more.
My eyes were opened when out local rec center literally turned away over 100 applicants for their "Body for Life" program (which I did get into, and they are running another course right now.
Each one of those folks is utilizing a personal trainer - and paying heftily for it.
09-21-03, 11:41 PM
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Hi Denver-
Before you plunk the money down for the certification, I would suggest you call a few (at least the top 5) fitness clubs and find out what they think of that certification and if they recognize that certification. There are a few certifications that are nationally and internationally recognized, and the last thing you need is to get a certification that your local clubs would not view as valid or significant enough for you to train their clients.
I sent you a list of the different certifications out there- the major recognized ones that are accepted anyplace would work for what you want to do. You don't have to get a certification that's specifically for the older populations- there are classes and workshops just like that offered at the big guns certifications you can take that will give you as much, if not more, information on special populations. From there, you can attend conventions and take more seminars on special populations.
If I managed a gym and an instructor or trainer came to me and said all they had was the ISSA certification, I don't think I'd hire them- I'd be looking for the trainer or instructor with the ACE, AFAA, etc. certifications behind their name. At the very least, get that certification and back it up with an AFAA certification too.
Drop me a pm sometime if you have any additional questions.
Koffee
Before you plunk the money down for the certification, I would suggest you call a few (at least the top 5) fitness clubs and find out what they think of that certification and if they recognize that certification. There are a few certifications that are nationally and internationally recognized, and the last thing you need is to get a certification that your local clubs would not view as valid or significant enough for you to train their clients.
I sent you a list of the different certifications out there- the major recognized ones that are accepted anyplace would work for what you want to do. You don't have to get a certification that's specifically for the older populations- there are classes and workshops just like that offered at the big guns certifications you can take that will give you as much, if not more, information on special populations. From there, you can attend conventions and take more seminars on special populations.
If I managed a gym and an instructor or trainer came to me and said all they had was the ISSA certification, I don't think I'd hire them- I'd be looking for the trainer or instructor with the ACE, AFAA, etc. certifications behind their name. At the very least, get that certification and back it up with an AFAA certification too.
Drop me a pm sometime if you have any additional questions.
Koffee
09-22-03, 05:43 AM
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Thanks, Koffee. Interestingly, the ISSA certification was the one recommended by the owner of the fitness club!!
A confusing world. But, I will take your advice and check it out.
I do have your listing that you sent me.
A confusing world. But, I will take your advice and check it out.
I do have your listing that you sent me.
09-22-03, 07:18 AM
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Hmmmmm. Just call some of the other clubs and ask them which certifications they accept and see which ones pop up.
Is the owner certified? Maybe you should call instead and ask for the aerobics coordinator and ask for the head personal trainer of the clubs in your area. They are the ones who do the hiring, unless the owner of the club is also the person who does the hiring and is involved with teaching at the club.
Let me know how that goes.
Koffee
Is the owner certified? Maybe you should call instead and ask for the aerobics coordinator and ask for the head personal trainer of the clubs in your area. They are the ones who do the hiring, unless the owner of the club is also the person who does the hiring and is involved with teaching at the club.
Let me know how that goes.
Koffee
10-10-03, 05:31 AM
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I talked with the head of training for our local rec center who had nothing good to say about ISSA.
So, I will not pursue that option.
Thanks for the heads up.
Appreciate you time and effort, Koffee.
So, I will not pursue that option.
Thanks for the heads up.
Appreciate you time and effort, Koffee.
10-10-03, 06:41 AM
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Glad to be of help.
I went to Club Industry last night (www.clubindustryshow.com) and I saw their booth there, along with all the other major certifications. Surprise, surprise... there was ABSOLUTELY NO ONE at their booth, and there were people at all the other booths.
ACE has a very good, comprehensive personal trainer certification- it is thorough, and it's not easy to get, but it's still very good and well looked upon. They don't have a certification for personal training for the older populations, but they DO have a whole home study program geared towards older populations. Ask that guy about the ACE personal training certification and the continuing ed coursework for older populations, and I think he'd give you some great feedback.
I think you'd be a great trainer- you just need credentials to back yourself up, that's all.
As a matter of fact, if you commit to the ACE certification now, you could maybe be ready to take the test offered in Denver in May 2004. Give them a call at 800-825-3636, ext. 653 and/or check online at www.acefitness.org/getcertified for more info.
You'll need to pick up that CPR certification at some point just before you take the test. That way, as soon as you've passed, you can get your certificate in the mail and begin training as soon after the test as possible.
Start studying now if you're interested. It will take a while to get to the point where you're ready for this test. I've heard it is not easy at all, but the rewards when you pass are very much worth the pain of obtaining the certification.
Koffee
I went to Club Industry last night (www.clubindustryshow.com) and I saw their booth there, along with all the other major certifications. Surprise, surprise... there was ABSOLUTELY NO ONE at their booth, and there were people at all the other booths.
ACE has a very good, comprehensive personal trainer certification- it is thorough, and it's not easy to get, but it's still very good and well looked upon. They don't have a certification for personal training for the older populations, but they DO have a whole home study program geared towards older populations. Ask that guy about the ACE personal training certification and the continuing ed coursework for older populations, and I think he'd give you some great feedback.
I think you'd be a great trainer- you just need credentials to back yourself up, that's all.
As a matter of fact, if you commit to the ACE certification now, you could maybe be ready to take the test offered in Denver in May 2004. Give them a call at 800-825-3636, ext. 653 and/or check online at www.acefitness.org/getcertified for more info.
You'll need to pick up that CPR certification at some point just before you take the test. That way, as soon as you've passed, you can get your certificate in the mail and begin training as soon after the test as possible.
Start studying now if you're interested. It will take a while to get to the point where you're ready for this test. I've heard it is not easy at all, but the rewards when you pass are very much worth the pain of obtaining the certification.
Koffee
