Fitness Programming Trends and the Well-Qualified Fitness Professional National Recreation and Park Association Annual Congress

Who is ACE? ACE is a multi-faceted 501C-3 organization Nonprofit fitness certification and education organization Network of more than 70,000 exercise professionals and health coaches Publisher of exercise and fitness education materials Unbiased evaluator of fitness products and trends

I Did Say Multifaceted… Trusted health and fitness resource for professionals, media and the public Connection between the public and certified professionals An advocate for public policies that encourage physical activity Builder of collaborative relationships across the health and fitness industry lines

Common Roles of Exercise Professionals in Recreation and Parks Remember…it pays to play!

Common Exercise Professional Roles in Recreation & Park Settings Group Exercise Instructor Park and Recreation Fitness Centers & Other Facilities Classes Offered Through Partnerships Personal Fitness Trainer Park and Recreation Fitness Centers Professionally Led Physical Activity (PLPA) in Parks

What’s Hot in Fitness Programming?

What’s Hot in Fitness Programming? Personal Training/Small Group Setting Park and Recreation Fitness Centers Health Coaching Specialization

What’s Hot in Fitness Programming? Group Exercise Trends Increase in “soft programming” Programming for the “new middle class” Stroller programming

What’s Hot in Fitness Programming? Cause-Based Training-Social Fundraising “Coining the term for this breed of conscientious fitness fiends here and now: Philanthrofits! ”- Cosmopolitan Magazine

What’s REALLY Hot in Fitness Programming? Consumer Control in Group Fitness Fitting classes in when can Flexibility in location “Try before you Buy” “ClassPass’s monthly memberships are a great value, considering most classes cost upwards of $30 each at retail pricing or drop-ins.”

What’s REALLY Hot in Fitness Programming? On Demand Video Friend or Foe? Technology Creative thinking and FUN!

What Do YOU Think is Hot in Fitness Programming?

Identifying Well-Qualified Fitness Professionals

Defining Common Terms Credentialing- Credentialing is an umbrella term used to refer to concepts such as: Professional certification Certificate Programs Accreditation Licensure Regulation

Defining Common Terms Certification Program- A program designed to test knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform a particular job, and, upon successfully passing an exam, to represent a declaration of a particular individual’s professional competence.

Defining Common Terms Accreditation- The process by which a credentialing or educational program is evaluated against defined standards and is awarded recognition if it is in compliance with those standards. Example: Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) offers accreditation to professional certification programs through the NCCA.

Identifying Well-Qualified Exercise Professionals Holds a current certification from a National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited exercise professional certification program.

Popular Fitness Certifications

Identifying Well-Qualified Exercise Professionals Holds a Degree in Exercise Science or has Completed Career School and/or Vocational Educational program Holds Appropriate Certifications Primary Certification: Group Exercise, Health Coach, Personal Trainer, Pilates, etc. Specialty Certifications: Senior Fitness, Youth Fitness, etc.

Identifying Well-Qualified Exercise Professionals-the Intangibles Personality-does their presence match the program need? Authenticity Passionate Reliability

Stay Informed https://www.acefitness.org/advocacy/news-and-articles

ACE Monthly Policy Digest www.acefitness.org/advocacy

ACE Resources for You Walk This Way-Developing Community Walking Programs (www.acefitness.org/walkthisway) Exercise Your Voice Salary Report-Personal Trainers

ACE Resources for You Free Webinars Safe Programming for Senior Adults Creating Safe Community Walking Programs Leveraging Tech to Help Create Active, Walking Communities

Contact Information @ACEfitness @ACEpolicySheila Facebook.com/ACEfitness (800) 825-3636 ACEfitness.org Sheila.franklin@acefitness.org