Answers (12)
2
Nowadays you can become a personal trainer with a certification from a vast array of differenct organizations. More often than not a HFS is required to have a degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or a related field. Many HFS are employed in corporate wellness centers, universities, health agencies or community facilities.
As an employed HFS at a corporate wellness center my duties not only include utilizing my personal training knowledge with supervising workouts, fitness testing and prescriptions but also implementing strategic program and marketing plans, monthly reporting statistics, ensuring compliance to equipment preventative maintenance schedule, and creating and delivering fitness incentive programs to our members.
As an employed HFS at a corporate wellness center my duties not only include utilizing my personal training knowledge with supervising workouts, fitness testing and prescriptions but also implementing strategic program and marketing plans, monthly reporting statistics, ensuring compliance to equipment preventative maintenance schedule, and creating and delivering fitness incentive programs to our members.
1
Debbie's point is spot on. Often times the Health Fitness Specialist is a more advanced designation specializing in fitness testing, risk stratification and interpretation. Again, because most have a minimum of a four year college degree and an advanced certification they are often more prevalent in hospital settings, running corporate centers, or as workplace wellness facilitators. As experts (specialists) they are expected to tap into their knowledge base and create as needed reports, programs, and motivational incentives.
We can think of the health aspect as goals or actions to delay death and avoid disease.
We can think of the health aspect as goals or actions to delay death and avoid disease.
0
I remember when a club I worked for, changed our title from "personal trainer" to "fit coach"; put it real big on the back of our shirts too. I was so mad! I kept thinking to myself, "I'm certified by a nationally accredited agency and I'm a professional... yadda yadda." I actually refused to buy the new shirt annd internally laughed at those who did (hey, so did 80% of the gym). Now, I've heard so many different names for what we do it boggles the mind. There are even self help aides for sale telling people to differentiate themselves by coming up with there own title; and people have come up with some doozies, too. Now, the title personnal trainer still embodies the principles of the profession. This must remain personal; to the client and the trainer, and it IS training we should be striving to provide. That means educating, instructing, evaluating and encouraging those we train to take up these reigns continue to develope.
0
I have been working in the corporate fitness industry for some years now, and we wear many titles. As in, we teach group fitness, personal train, and handle many of the administrative tasks associated with the operations of the facility. To me, that is a health fitness specialist. Personal training is a specialty. They provide a personal experience to one individual or a small group. They are training individuals to reach their potential health/fitness goals. There is a difference...
0
I don't see the inherent difference between a personal trainer and a health fitness specialist.
I think there's a sense nowadays (and not just in our industry) that everybody has to find their niche, specialize, make their mark; hence all the different (yet very much the same) titles that are emerging.
I guess if it makes you feel better to call yourself one thing over another, or if you truly believe one term describes you better than others, go for it. Otherwise, keep it simple.
Besides, as it is so many people don't really understand what a personal trainer is or what we do...Do we really want to start confusing people even more??
I think there's a sense nowadays (and not just in our industry) that everybody has to find their niche, specialize, make their mark; hence all the different (yet very much the same) titles that are emerging.
I guess if it makes you feel better to call yourself one thing over another, or if you truly believe one term describes you better than others, go for it. Otherwise, keep it simple.
Besides, as it is so many people don't really understand what a personal trainer is or what we do...Do we really want to start confusing people even more??
0
Yes there is a big difference between a personal trainer and an HFS as I carry both certifications. Besides the corporate and marketing being more in depth HFS's are required to know ECG and special populations in much more detail.
0
HFS is a specific credential offered by American College of Sports Medicine. Up until July 1, 2011 it required a Bachelor's degree in a health-related field or an Associate's degree in exercise science. Currently it requires a bachelor's degree in a kinesiology based field.
Personal Training Certification requires no special degree and can be obtained through a variety of different agencies. That being said, there are still many personal trainers who are very well educated. Don't let credentials be the only judging point.
As far as what they actually do in the field? I'm with Julia, Danielle, and Debbie. HFS certification is clinical in nature and often goes beyond fitness prescriptions.
Personal Training Certification requires no special degree and can be obtained through a variety of different agencies. That being said, there are still many personal trainers who are very well educated. Don't let credentials be the only judging point.
As far as what they actually do in the field? I'm with Julia, Danielle, and Debbie. HFS certification is clinical in nature and often goes beyond fitness prescriptions.
0
http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-certified-health-fitness-specialist
http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-certified-personal-trainer
you all can see for yourself :D
http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-certified-personal-trainer
you all can see for yourself :D
0
Thanks everyone for your responses to the question I posed.
FYI, the ACSM HFS is not a clinical certification. The ACSM states this on their website specifically. This does not mean that one cannot work in a clinical environment with a ACSM HFS credential. The ACSM HFS may be the credential that they require in order to work in that specific clinical environment. Generally, they ask for the CES and RCEP
The industry has only two NCCA accredited certifications that are clinical in nature. They are the ACSM CES and RCEP.
FYI, the ACSM HFS is not a clinical certification. The ACSM states this on their website specifically. This does not mean that one cannot work in a clinical environment with a ACSM HFS credential. The ACSM HFS may be the credential that they require in order to work in that specific clinical environment. Generally, they ask for the CES and RCEP
The industry has only two NCCA accredited certifications that are clinical in nature. They are the ACSM CES and RCEP.
0
There is a difference joanne. However it goes down to what certification body that you refer to and without regulation and standardization, each party may have their own view.
A personal trainer is someone with or without a formal degree in exercise science, movement, kinesiology etc with our without advanced credentials.
A health fitness specialist(again a term used differently among other certifications) which is a problem, is someone who has shown and demonstrated competency in both cognitive and psychomotor proficiency with comorbities, injuries and chronic conditions(not chronic pain).
What the industry is going to see is a level or category system of the following:
Category or level I personal trainer-someone who can work with only health individuals.
Level II-Are personal trainers who are able to work with individuals with chronic diseases(simple)
Level III-Are personal trainers that tend to work with multiple issues(ie. hip replacement, history of COPD or cancer) or an athlete with a history of an ACL reconstruction and/or other injuries.
The level system makes sense and is not licensure unlike physical therapists, OT's, dentists and lawyers, but the industry NEEDS IT now!!
This is a similar system that is being conducted in Australia and in the UK with REPS and is onthe way here in the US, so get ready. We need to deliniate a person's knowledge, abilities and skillet to allow them to work with the appropriate clientele. It is down the pike..More to come...
A personal trainer is someone with or without a formal degree in exercise science, movement, kinesiology etc with our without advanced credentials.
A health fitness specialist(again a term used differently among other certifications) which is a problem, is someone who has shown and demonstrated competency in both cognitive and psychomotor proficiency with comorbities, injuries and chronic conditions(not chronic pain).
What the industry is going to see is a level or category system of the following:
Category or level I personal trainer-someone who can work with only health individuals.
Level II-Are personal trainers who are able to work with individuals with chronic diseases(simple)
Level III-Are personal trainers that tend to work with multiple issues(ie. hip replacement, history of COPD or cancer) or an athlete with a history of an ACL reconstruction and/or other injuries.
The level system makes sense and is not licensure unlike physical therapists, OT's, dentists and lawyers, but the industry NEEDS IT now!!
This is a similar system that is being conducted in Australia and in the UK with REPS and is onthe way here in the US, so get ready. We need to deliniate a person's knowledge, abilities and skillet to allow them to work with the appropriate clientele. It is down the pike..More to come...
-1
At a local gym in my town, a personal trainer who has multiple certifications, like CPT and Group Fitness Instructor for example, can be classified as a a "fitness specialist," but as far as Health and Fitness Specialist, it's my opinion that the certification is what you make of it. I think that there are a lot of trainers out there who probably have more knowledge of the area than some people who are certified. I think the certification is mainly supplementary to a more generalized certification like a personal trainer certification. Because of the requirements to hold the certification, it lets other people know that you have completed a minimum level of competency in your field and that you have some serious experience.
