[Christina]

I received an email from ACSM the other day announcing a new certification. Visit http://www.acsm.org for more information.

ACSM and NCPAD Announce Launch Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT) Specialty Certification

ACSM Certification is Leading the Way with the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) to offer a specialty certification for fitness professionals to work with individuals with disabilities. There are 50 million people (approximately 20%) in the United States that have reported some type of disability. ACSM professionals have the potential to make a significant contribution by earning the specialty certification to safely and effectively work with people with disabilities.

Following a successful beta this past fall, the CIFT certification will be available on-demand with immediate results through Pearson VUE testing centers on May 15th.

Minimum Requirements:
An ACSM or NCCA-Accredited Certification AND
CPR and AED Certification

ACSM Certified Professional Price is $150. E-mail certification@acsm.org for your discounted voucher. Individuals who are not ACSM certified will pay $195.

More about the ACSM/NCPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT):
A CIFT is a fitness professional who assesses, develops and implements an individualized exercise program for persons with a physical, sensory or cognitive disability, who are healthy or have medical clearance to perform independent physical activity. CIFT certified professionals hold a current NCCA-accredited health/fitness certification and CPR and AED certifications. In addition to knowledge of exercise physiology, exercise testing and programming, a CIFT has knowledge in inclusive facility design, awareness of social inclusion for people with disabilities and the American with Disability Act (ADA).

Additionally the ACSM/NCPAD CIFT demonstrates and leads safe, effective and adapted methods of exercise; writes adapted exercise recommendations, understands precautions and contraindications to exercise for people with disabilities; is able to demonstrate safe and effective adapted methods of exercise, is aware of current Americans with Disability Act (ADA) policy specific to recreation facilities (US Access Board Guidelines) and standards for accessible facility design and can utilize motivational techniques and provide appropriate instruction to individuals with disabilities to begin and continue healthy lifestyles.