NOCA/NCCA (National Organization of Competency Assurance/National Commission for Competency Assurance) announces that the IFPA, the leader in practical fitness certification, education and training, has earned NOCA/NCCA accreditation.  With the advent of over a hundred fitness certification organizations, many of highly dubious quality, IHRSA made a recommendation that the legitimate certification organizations separate themselves from what some in the industry have described as “worthless” and “nefarious” certifications, by seeking third party accreditation through NCCA/NOCA.  The IFPA has also been awarded another important distinction as an IACET (International Association of Continuing Education and Training) provider in order to prove credible evidence that all IFPA certification and continuing education unit courses and conferences meet the highest possible quality in education and testing standards.

The IFPA has always been held in the highest regard by fitness industry leaders-- professionals and experts who took the time to thoroughly investigate the superior quality of IFPA fitness certifications.  Unfortunately, with over 100 certifications to choose from, not all fitness managers took the time to determine why the IFPA was considered by so many to be the best fitness certification the industry had to offer.  NCCA/NOCA accreditation is a critical step in proving the efficacy of IFPA programs, but this accreditation is only part of the process in building the very best certification.  The most important step is and always will be the people enjoined in the process.  The IFPA’s single greatest achievement has been the ability to attract the most talented, dedicated, educated and experienced experts in the fitness industry--great minds and leaders in the industry who are willing to invest their time, talent, effort, and energy to help the IFPA develop the fitness industry’s finest certifications.  Fitness industry leaders who are willing to dedicate themselves to developing the precise knowledge, skills and abilities needed by a fitness professional to conduct fitness training sessions with the highest level of safety and effectiveness.  Fitness industry leaders who are willing to dedicate themselves to developing the precise “Scope of Practice” for the fitness professional, essential to separate professionals from the many dangerous amateurs that currently plague the fitness profession.  Fitness industry leaders who understand that scientific knowledge is not enough.  Fitness industry leaders who know that the practical application of that scientific knowledge is essential to develop the skills and abilities a fitness professional must have to earn society’s distinction as a “Professional!”

The NOCA/NCCA accreditation is a prestigious designation to separate the IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Examination process and administration from the meaningless certification organizations that are currently preying on unsuspecting fitness enthusiasts, hoping for careers in the fitness industry.

IACET is a prestigious designation to separate the IFPA, the IFPA Faculty, IFPA courses and curriculum from the many inferior courses, classes, workshops, conventions, conferences, tradeshows and other questionable learning experiences being sold to unsuspecting fitness enthusiasts attempting to gain the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities so vital to becoming a highly successful fitness professional.

Now you know why the most knowledgeable leaders in the fitness industry consider the IFPA the best of the best.  Only a handful of certification organizations received NOCA/NCCA accreditation, and only the IFPA has earned IACET.  The fitness industry’s leaders know that the IFPA offers a minimum of twice the value of any other fitness certification: the most prestigious certification and the most effective education. The most knowledgeable leaders in the industry know that a quality certification is important, but more important are the knowledge, skills and abilities the fitness professionals bring to their profession.  The IFPA offers over 60 Certification courses and certificate programs beyond the entry level: IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification and over 100 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) courses to continuously guide and educate the fitness professional to reach the ultimate goal of becoming a “Master of their Craft” by adding to their personal fitness training skill and increasing their “Scope of Practice” to safely and effectively manage the health and fitness needs of our society’s many special population groups to include youth fitness training, senior fitness training, the special needs of the obese, overweight, osteoarthritics, cardiovascular disease patients, low back pain sufferers and the many other potential clients with myriad joint, muscle, nerve or biochemical dysfunctions.  The wise man said: “Knowledge is power.”   The right place for the fitness professional to gain knowledge is the IFPA.

The IFPA has recently joined forces with the American Academy of Anti-Aging medicine (A4M) and the American College of Anti-Aging Sports Medicine Professionals (ACASP).  These two highly distinguished organizations are made up of over 25,000 physicians dedicated to improving the health, welfare and longevity of their patients.  The IFPA will be holding future IFPA Fitness Conferences in conjunction with A4M and ACASP Conferences.  The first of these joint events will be in Las Vegas on December 13-15, 2007.  This will present a unique opportunity for quality certified fitness professionals to network with these physicians that are highly interested in exercise prescriptions for their patients.  This combined conference will provide unprecedented value to fitness professionals, the most valuable fitness, anti-aging, sports medicine, nutrition, sports conditioning, and health & longevity education, all in one place, at the same time!  And, doctors that are highly motivated to use the services of quality certified fitness professionals.  No, you do not need to be IFPA certified to attend!  But once you do attend, you are guaranteed to want to join the IFPA/A4M/ACASP team!  The knowledgeable leaders in the fitness industry have always asserted that the IFPA was the best certification.  The IACET/NOCA/NCCA accreditation is merely additional evidence in a long line of evidence to prove that assertion.