Exercise Safety Association

CERTIFICATION

See POLICIES AND PROCEDURES for additional information

This could be the turning point of your career as a fitness leader.
Join the ranks of Safe Certified Instructors Today

Even if you are already certified by another organization, the ESA CERTIFICATION is a must for every professional instructor. As your primary or secondary certification, it is the mark of a safety conscious professional and it demonstrates that you are the kind of instructor with high standards, who sets uncommon goals, strives for excellence and cares about your clients.

HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
If you are interested in earning an exercise certification, read the information that follows. If you are not currently certified the ESA PRIMARY CERTIFICATION is a pre-requisite for SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS. A list of local trainers, training sites and HOME CORRESPONDENCE COURSES are listed on the ESA STAR AMERICA page.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CERTIFICATION
There are no state or federal government licensing laws in the United States regulating the teaching or leading of exercise classes or sessions. Certification is a voluntary professional choice. It is the decision of the individual fitness instructor, group leader or personal trainer to choose their certification organization. Most fitness clubs and facilities require a certification for their staff. There are several National Certification Organizations and many local or regional organizations that provide certification competency examinations. Each organization differs in their philosophy and mission statement.

THE EXERCISE SAFETY ASSOCIATION’S CERTIFICATION
The EXERCISE SAFETY ASSOCIATION is a NATIONAL CERTIFICATION ORGANIZATION with certified members across the United States and in several foreign countries. ESA is one of the oldest National Certification Organizations, established in 1978. ESA’s certification examinations measure the candidates knowledge and practical skills through written and practical testing. The candidate’s understanding of general scientific principles, knowledge of safety and ability to assemble exercise sessions and programs that promote lifetime health and fitness are tested in all examinations.

An ESA certification is the mark of a fitness professional who has been tested in the knowledge, teaching methods and leadership principles that promote the safest methods in the exercise profession.

TYPES OF ESA CERTIFICATIONS
ESA offers two categories of certification examinations and two certification examination formats. The two categories of certifications are the PRIMARY CERTIFICATION and the SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION. The two examination formats are IN-PERSON examination and HOME CORRESPONDENCE examination. ESA Certification includes MEMBERSHIP in the Exercise Safety Association.

CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
Training for the certification examinations can be obtained through an ESA STAR AMERICA TRAINER . The Certification Examination is administered upon completion of training. Home correspondence training and certification packages are available through the STAR HOME STUDY CATALOGUE

THE ESA PRIMARY CERTIFICATION
SAFE EXERCISE LEADER

100- SAFE EXERCISE LEADER

The ESA PRIMARY CERTIFICATION, SAFE EXERCISE LEADER, tests knowledge in the core areas of anatomy, kinesiology, exercise physiology, nutrition and leadership principles that are necessary to teach any form of exercise. In addition, the SAFE EXERCISE LEADER PRIMARY CERTIFICATION tests the ability to demonstration knowledge of muscle groups, proper technique, communication skills and the ability to implement the practical exercise evaluation formulas. Candidates must demonstrate a complete understanding of safe exercise based on scientific rationale.

SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS
ESA SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS are offered in particular subjects. The ESA PRIMARY CERTIFICATION or EQUIVALENT is a pre-requisite to a specialty certification examination. Specialty Certification examinations test proficiency in specific skills. Specialty certifications that are currently offered by ESA are:

100 - SAFE EXERCISE LEADER (the ESA primary certification)

104 - PERSONAL TRAINER

200 - NUTRITION SPECIALIST

214 - PILATES, CORE INSTRUCTOR

215 - YOGA FITNESS LEADER (level one)

216 - KICKBOXING FITNESS LEADER

101 - SAFE STEP INSTRUCTOR

222 - AQUATIC FITNESS LEADER

223 - SENIOR ADULT, 50+ FITNESS EXPERT

201 - LATERAL SLIDE INSTRUCTOR

206 - INTEGRATED FITNESS COUNSELOR

STAR ADVANCED PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATION
When an ESA instructor earns three or more ESA certifications, they are awarded the STAR CERTIFICATION, a special recognition of advanced proficiency.

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