New test improves trainers

     By Kim Springer
     View columnist
      The profession of personal training is becoming increasingly popular among those entering the job market.
      With that comes the need for further testing, qualifications and skills. Despite what some might think, personal training is not just something you can jump into. Health consumers are demanding more out of this service.
      The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has for many years been certifying individuals as personal trainers, group exercise instructors and lifestyle/weight management consultants.
      Professionals certified by ACE look to this organization for sources of education and guidance. ACE recently introduced a new certification that will hopefully legitimize this profession further.
      The Clinical Exercise Specialist (CES) Exam will help trainers who work with clients who've received treatment or rehab for health challenges and have been cleared for exercise.
      The CES exam is really a sign of things to come when fitness professionals will be working hand-in-hand with their client's physicians and therapists.
      Apparently, healthy individuals are no longer the majority; just look at these staggering statistics for America: heart disease (14 million cases), hypertension (50 million), arthritis (40 million), obesity (58 million) and osteoporosis (28 million). As a trainer, it's imperative that you're able to deal with these types of individuals to make exercise safe and effective.
      Of course, a personal trainer will never replace a physician, but working together both parties might see improvement in their client's health.
      It's very challenging, as a trainer, trying to establish relationships with a client's other caregiver.
      Massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractors, etc., all see the client in a different light and together must come up with the proper course of action for their health. A trainer who is CES certified will help make the transition easier from post-therapy to a regular exercise routine.
      The CES exam isn't part of the standard requirement you should be looking for when first hiring a trainer. In the future, however, it would be to your benefit to choose a professional who has experience in working with special populations.
      Hopefully, the CES exam will be just one of many tests that will help professional trainers establish themselves in this field.
      Another element that makes the exam stand out from others is you must already be certified as a trainer by a national organization or have a college degree.
      Also, each applicant must provide a reference letter from someone in the field of fitness or medicine who serves as proof that they've worked a minimum of 300 hours in the field with special populations.
      These strict requirements are quite a positive change from other exams that only require a fee. Again, these higher standards will push trainers to become more knowledgeable and professional.
      The first CES exam is March 20 with three other tests scheduled for this year. Unfortunately, none of the sites this year are in town.
      If you're in the fitness field and would like more information about this test, contact ACE at (800) 825-3636.
     
     Kim Springer and her husband, Mike, are certified by ACE, NASM and ACSM as personal trainers. They can be reached at 233-9442, by fax at 233-9446 or by e-mail at springtrain@netscape.net.