If you are trying to join the fitness community in Alberta, you must be wondering about different fitness certifications. There are many certifications like ACE, NSCA, CanFitPro, etc. In this post, we will discuss AFLCA certifications. AFLCA certification is one of the most well-known certifications in Alberta that can land you jobs in multiple exercise leadership roles. Let’s check them out.
AFLCA Certification: What is AFLCA?
AFLCA stands for Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association. This non-profit organization was formed in 1984 to promote and set the standards for training and certifying fitness professionals.
As a National Fitness Leadership Alliance (NFLA) member, AFLCA has nationwide affiliates in British Columbia, Yukon, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
AFLCA Certification Options
There are three main certifications that you can certify under:
- Personal training
- Group exercise
- Advanced
Personal training
There are three ways that you can become a personal trainer.
- Online course
- Partnered with National Council on Strength and Fitness
- Once you have finished the course, you will be ready to take the written theory exam
- Practical assessment is also required
- Apply your post-secondary education
- You can bypass the online course and take the exam/practical right away
- Transfer your current certification
- You will need to show your certification documents
- CPR + First Aid in addition
- You will need to show your certification documents
Note: you will need a grade of 80% for both the written and practical exams to pass.
Group Exercise
This includes the following specialties:
- Aquatic exercise
- Resistance exercise
- Fitness for the older adult
- Group exercise + either cycle, step, choreography, mind-body, and portable equipment
You will be expected to have completed the Foundations in physical activity and exercise for all of the following. This course is formally called the Exercise Theory. You will have one year from completing this course to write your exam. If you need extra practice, check out our practice questions to boost your learning!
Upon passing the foundations exam, you must take the specialty exam. This includes a written and a practical assessment. You will need at least 80% for a successful pass. In addition, you will need to show your CPR certification before being awarded your certification.
Advanced
Advanced certifications allow fitness professionals to grow their careers. You will be able to learn new skills expand your scope of practice and client base. Here are four options:
- Trainer-educator
- Assistant trainer-educator
- Aquatic tether training
- Post prenatal
Trainer-Educator
If you have lots of experience as a fitness instructor, this is another great avenue to up your career. You can mentor new certification candidates and offer certification and continuing education courses.
Some of the requirements include:
- Current AFLCA certification for 2 years +
- Resume showing professional fitness leadership experience
- University or College transcripts of course work. This includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, First Aid and/or injury prevention courses
- Video demonstrating cuing, leadership abilities, technical expertise
- Another video showing leadership and facilitation skills teaching adults
Assistant Trainer-Educator
This is another excellent way to apply what you know and teach others. As an assistant trainer-educator, you can mentor new candidates.
Some of the requirements include:
- Current AFLCA certification and specialties
- Resume showing professional fitness leadership experience
- University or College transcripts of course work for: anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, First Aid and/or injury prevention courses
- Video demonstrating cuing, leadership abilities, technical expertise
- Another video showing leadership and facilitation skills teaching adults
Aquatic Tether Training
This certification is designed to complement the Aquatic Exercise certification. You will be able to incorporate tethering movements into your classes. You will learn how to get participants to hitch onto stable objects to create dynamic resistance and even include deep water running. This is not a stand-alone certification. For this reason, you will need to have your Aquatic Exercise certification already.
Post Prenatal
This additional certification course gives you the insight and knowledge to work with pregnant and postnatal women. If you plan on working with this population, this certification is a must! You will need to have a certificate in personal training, group, resistance, or aquatic exercise.