IDEA Launches Verification Partners Program to Boost Consumer Confidence and Transparency in the Fitness Industry

IDEA Launches Verification Partners Program to Boost Consumer
Confidence and Transparency in the Fitness Industry

San Diego – February 29, 2012 –IDEA Health & Fitness Association, the world’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals, is launching a revolutionary program to verify the credentials and qualifications of fitness professionals. The verification partners program is an extension of IDEA FitnessConnect, the first free, all-inclusive directory that connects more than 16 million consumers to more than 250,000 fitness professionals, including Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Instructors, Mind-Body Instructors and Nutritionists, worldwide who have current certifications.

IDEA’s verification program works with hundreds of the top training and certification agencies to verify the credentials of every fitness professional registered. Each certification organization signs on as a ‘verification partner’ to confirm a fitness professional’s certifications or qualification status. This gives consumers confidence in their choice of fitness professional by validating their experience and professional history.

IDEA first launched FitnessConnect to improve transparency in the fitness industry by offering a reliable source for consumers to find qualified professionals who have verifiable certifications. To register for the directory, fitness professionals can create a profile and fill out important criteria such as fitness certifications, college education, specialties and club affiliations.

There are nearly 127 fitness certification organizations signed on as current IDEA verification partners, including the American Council on Exercise, American College of Sports Medicine, the National Academy of Sports Medicine as well numerous training groups such as, TRX®, Turbo Kick® and STOTT PILATES®.

“We first launched IDEA FitnessConnect to give consumers confidence in their choice of fitness professional, while raising the professional standards of our industry,” said Kathie Davis, IDEA’s co-founder and executive director. “Our verification partners program takes the guess work out of finding a qualified trainer. Our goal for 2012 is to sign on more verification partners to ensure that consumers have the best, most reliable information when choosing a fitness professional.”

Certification organizations and training groups can sign up to be a verification partner for FREE through IDEA FitnessConnect. Fitness professionals can get started by filling out their profile page today at www.ideafit.com/fitnessconnect.

About IDEA Health & Fitness Association
IDEA Health & Fitness Association is the world's leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals. We deliver world-class content and continuing education to fitness professionals through three channels: our five publications, including the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal; our world-class fitness conferences; and hundreds of streaming videos and DVD courses available on our website www.ideafit.com. Additionally, with IDEA FitnessConnect, we have created the largest national industry-wide directory linking over 200,000 fitness professionals to more than 16 million consumers. Through IDEA professionals in over 80 countries, we "Inspire the World to Fitness®."