Active Living Centre achieves national ‘gold standard’ certification
The Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology is the gold standard of certification for exercise professionals in Canada. We’re proud to announce the U of M’s Active Living Centre (ALC) is now officially a CSEP Certified Fitness Centre (CSEP-CFC).
The ALC counts itself amongst the highest caliber of fitness facilities and physiology labs in Canada with the newly minted certification. The membership recognizes facilities who employ qualified exercise professionals, follow evidence-based assessment and training protocols, and meet CSEP standards for operating procedures and safety.
This positions the ALC apart from other facilities without the credential, explains Adam Toffan, a fitness and assessment training coordinator with U of M’s Recreation Services.
“There are a variety of certifications people can acquire, and each one is evaluated differently with a distinct set of core competencies. Some certifications don’t require post-secondary education and can be acquired over a weekend,” Toffan says.
The ALC’s trainers are CSEP certified exercise physiologists. They can perform assessments, prescribe conditioning exercise, as well as exercise supervision, counseling and healthy lifestyle education, and functional limitations or disabilities associated with musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, metabolic, neuromuscular, and ageing conditions.
In addition to taking a written exam, CSEP certified trainers need to pass a practical exam assessing technical skills in prescribing, teaching and cuing exercises; and assessment protocol proficiency.
They also need to have earned a degree in Kinesiology to ensure they have background knowledge in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics.
“When looking for a trainer, it’s important to pay attention to qualifications and be aware that not all certifications are interchangeable,” adds Toffan.
“All of our trainers have the gold standard in certification so not only do you get the expertise you need, but also the expertise you deserve.”