What do you think of AFAA Certification

[MichelleD]

Hi Guys!
I was wondering if anyone has any info on the AFAA certification. I know that MDA certification is really the best , but I am over seas, and they are offering a certfication with AFAA in a country next door. I was wondering if you guys would think it's worth it. I have been dying to get certified and actually was planning a trip back to the states just to get certified, but this option is MUCH closer and MUCH cheaper than a ticket to the states. Thank you!!!!!!! :D
Michelle

[megale3]

Michelle the AFAA certification puts more than just IDC in your corner so I would do it.
Meg

[RaffCycles]

I took the AFAA Indoor Cycling Continuing ED class several years ago and it was just that Continuing Education and not Certification. Have things changed?

[MichelleD]

Thank you so much for your response. The lady at the gym said it was a certification! The info was there with the personal training certification. I just called the afaa and you are SO RIGHT, they only offer classes to help with training[, but no certification! Wow, I would have made a huge mistake thinking I could use it as a certification in the states. I may still do it, but now I know what it is. I wonder if it's still worth it......

[RaffCycles]

I do know that my AFAA Primary Group Exercise cert has come in handy.

Also, some gyms will allow anyone to teach indoor cycling if they are not calling their cycling program by its "branded" name (i.e. Spinning, RPM, etc.) and the instructor has some type of exercise certification.

[EuroD]

I'd take the AFAA Primary Cert for the simple reason that some clubs require that you are certified for group ex, and this is a great way of doing it. Mostly clubs that are BTS or Les Mills only may not have that requirement.

I did it years ago, and it's been beneficial especially when at a pinch I sub for athletic conditioning or something that's not 'dance oriented'.

[MichelleD]

Thank you for that info! They do offer the primary certification, but it's on a wednesday, and I don't think I could make that. They also offer the personal fitness trainer certification that week end-is there any benefit in that?

[veespin]

Thank you for that info! They do offer the primary certification, but it's on a wednesday, and I don't think I could make that. They also offer the personal fitness trainer certification that week end-is there any benefit in that?


While AFAA was my first primary cert. and it was right there when I needed it, I wouldn't choose it over ACE any day of the week.

The course material isn't that easy to study (from the POV of page layout etc.) and the material is simplified to the point of being simplistic. Additionally, in order to keep your certification current, AFAA seems to need you to sign on for some of their own courses but will ignore really valuable and worthwhile workshops that you might choose to do.

When it came time for renewal, I let it lapse as I decided that ACE suited my purposes better.

Vivienne