What to Know Before Working with an AFAA Personal Trainer
Get the facts about the AFAA personal trainer certification program
At most fitness clubs, it’s common to find personal trainers with a diverse range of skills, specialties, and experience. You might also discover that these fitness professionals hold a variety of certifications from differing personal training certification programs. While there are numerous programs for trainers to choose from, the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Personal Fitness Trainer is one of the more popular options.
As a personal training client, it’s helpful to understand what it means if your trainer holds an AFAA personal trainer certification. Here’s how the certification program works and how it impacts your training experience.
How the certification process works
Founded in 1983, the AFAA runs several certification programs for fitness professionals, including personal trainers, group fitness teachers, and nutrition coaches. The organization is part of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), which also offers its own personal training program.
The process of becoming a certified AFAA personal trainer is fairly straightforward. Like other certification programs, students will need to undergo an exam that tests their understanding of key fitness-related topics like:
- Conducting a fitness assessment
- Creating an individualized fitness training program based on a client’s needs and objectives
- Guiding a client through a complete workout, including a warm-up and cool down
- Providing motivation and accountability
- Preventing common exercise-related injuries
To prepare for the exam, students will have access to learning guides, video lectures, and other study materials. In addition to passing the test, they’ll also need to have a valid CPR/AED certification to become an AFAA personal trainer.
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Why certification matters
The AFAA certification is one of many personal trainer certification programs available for people who want to become fitness professionals. There are multiple reasons why trainers might choose one program over another, but from a client’s perspective, the most important thing is that your trainer holds some type of certification.
Working with a certified personal trainer helps ensure that you’re getting a high-quality training experience and learning from someone whose health and fitness knowledge has been tested and validated by a reputable organization. By completing a certification program, your trainer has proven that they know how to assess your needs and goals, develop a health plan that’s tailored just for you, and keep you safe in the gym.
Reach your goals with fitness training at CA
Columbia Association (CA) is home to a talented bunch of certified fitness professionals, including some AFAA personal trainers. Each day, our trainers motivate and empower clients to reach their health goals – and we’d love to do the same for you.
Our free consultation is an excellent place to start. During this initial meeting, you can learn more about our trainers and share what you’re hoping to achieve. You don’t need to be a CA member to sign up, but you’ll receive discounted personal training if you have an active membership with us.
To learn more about fitness training at CA, submit your information through our online form or call us today.
