"The Roundtable Discussion"

I have to state first and foremost I’m not a big fan of certifications. Too many individuals kind of pick these things up and then run amuck with the “CERTIFIED” label to their credit, thus watering down our brilliant industry.

However, I have found a place in my heart for those who actually gain experience by continually attending elite seminars and contacting elite coaches/trainers to further educate themselves…while training people and reading other successful and non-successful programs too; there are two sides to every coin and only by discovering what hasn’t and has worked for many can you clearly begin to advance yourself.

Enough of my rant though, in my honest opinion, the few organizations that have struck a chord with me or have actually garnered my interest are…and in no particular order of importance or preference:

         IYCA (International Youth Conditioning Association)

         C.H.E.K. Institute

         NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association)

         NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)

         USAW (USA Weightlifting)

There you go. Now here’s why.

The IYCA

The IYCA is the first and only organization that I have truly been moved to be apart of. Lead by a fantastic and genuine professional, Brian Grasso, his dream to take the IYCA to the masses and help youth athletes and adolescent fitness enthusiasts alike has been a much needed and empowering measure. Not only does the certification boast some of the most elite trainers in the world amongst their board of directors, but they have proven themselves time and time again within our industry, both with knowledge and real world results.

As far as I am concerned, the IYCA IS the only TRUE choice for a professional who wishes to work with youths and hasn’t necessarily educated themselves beyond physical long-term and steady training practices with youth athletes.

What happens to YOUR youth athletes when they become adults? Why are you doing this with your athletes? Why should this child be under so much stress; Emotionally/Physically? What are the prime years for a child to learn, understand and retain Movement Patterns (?), Agility (?), Balance (?),  Coordination (?), etc. The depth of these questions can long forever.

Many people believe you can just throw a bunch of kids into a weight room and let them have at it with their favorite pro athletes training program or the latest workout in a muscle or fringe market magazine. ATTENTION: These people should not be allowed to train children until they have become educated and competent.

This is where the IYCA steps in. It is aimed at educating coaches of all levels, trainers of all levels, instructors of all levels, educators of all levels from kindergarten up. Being able to understand the demands that a child can sustain is critical in being able to help that child blossom into a healthy teenager, and then a healthy and mature adult. It goes beyond sport. It goes beyond “Making the Team”.

It’s about helping children have the opportunities we never had.

C.H.E.K. Institute

You don’t have to be a fan of Paul Chek, but do you need to understand why he has been so successful with so many people? Yes. His programs may be different than yours, they may even be a bit more involved than your own designs…you do create and not copy and paste right? But none the less, his attention to detail in every facet of the human body is outstanding.

Many great trainers are C.H.E.K. certified and it’s no wonder. Like Alwyn Cosgrove has said in many of seminars and interviews, he’s never read anything that he hasn’t taken something away from…plus Alwyn is not only C.H.E.K. certified but so is his wife Rachael and they are two of the most amazing trainers on this planet today. Some of Chek’s theories have influenced both and I believe Rachael using many of the CHEK Institutes nutritional teachings in her daily practice with clients in the Cosgrove’s Santa Clarita studio.

From lumbar posture during exercise to high performance conditioning, from primal movement patterns to advanced program design he truly stays atop the field of strength and conditioning for a reason…he gets results time and time again.

And just as his site states in its disclaimer “Beware - these courses may severely increase your level of education!” He’s not kidding you.

So I highly recommend this to any starting or established fitness professional who’s looking to increasingly exasperate their brains functional capability towards reason and understanding of the human anatomy and applied training and nutritional techniques.

NSCA

The most established organization in the world considering strength and conditioning, the CSCS credential has been the staple of Olympic, professional and collegiate strength coaches for decades. This certification is very well prepared, and the fact that you must obtain a Bachelor’s of Sciences degree to even take the exam only makes me happier for its credential process.

I don’t think I have to ramble on about this one too much, seeing that most of the professional world has it, but I would highly suggest that any aspiring strength coach give this one a look along with the PES credential offered by our next organization, the NASM.

NASM

The NASM has been created to offer fitness professionals with an amazing alternative to the CSCS. For years, the CSCS was the only worthwhile cert for strength and conditioning specialist, but now the NASM has stepped up and presented the Performance Enhancement Specialist certification. Just as the CSCS it requires a Bachelor of Sciences degree, unless you already obtained the CPT cert from their organization. In either case, this cert looks as if it may replace the CSCS as the most popular strength and conditioning credential within the next 10 years…but time will tell.

USAW

Every person should know how to perform an Olympic lift. EVERY PERSON. So if you can’t find someone competent to instruct you how to perform these lifts without injuring another individual I highly suggest you contact this organization immediately and learn from the real pro’s.

Olympic lifts are excellent in any fashion you use them. Be it for power, speed, maintaining low-body fat levels or just pure raw strength. You can include them into so many programs and benefit the client/trainee exponentially. But if you administer these exercises incorrectly, you could severely, and I mean SEVERELY, hurt someone. Start very light, like PVC pipe light if need be, and then gradually progress them into larger and heavier weights.

In Conclusion

My opinion means nothing unless you actually take the time to research these certifications for yourself and decide which one is best applicable to your current needs as a professional today. If I were an aspiring health industry professional I would definitely check into each org, ask them why their cert is better than the others that offer the same credentials…if they do…and I would further decide what group of people I truly wish to work with.

If its children I’d pick up the Youth Conditioning Specialist offered by the IYCA first, then branch out into the CSCS, PES or C.H.E.K. philosophies.

If it were adults with disabilities I’d definitely go with C.H.E.K. first as they offer some great courses based on human biomechanics and inefficiencies.

If it were strictly to work with elite and advanced athletes at either a collegiate or professional level I’d go with PES or CSCS, then further educate oneself through the other programs.

And if throwing the Olympic lifts into the arsenal is prominent in your career-and most likely cleans, jerks and snatches will be-then I would definitely contact the USAW to help instruct you or just intern with a competent professional who can teach you.

And let’s remember, nothing beats certifications better than real-world application. So GO INTERN someplace that can help you advance yourself to a higher knowledge base and practical and theorized approach to program designs and instruction. And continue to read everything you can get your hands on…even if it means going to the public library and whipping out your old plastic card…you still got it right?