Attn NJ Personal Trainers and S&C coachs

[The Coach]

From Mike Boyle.......



Posted Oct 11,2008 12:33 AM   
Hi All,

I put this in the business forum but if anyone would like to put it in the other 2 it would be greatly appreciated!!!!

There is a serious problem on the horizon - it is called the NBFE - national board of fitness examiners, a self-appointed bunch of a@#holes that want to regulate, control and monopolize the fitness industry.

It started in NJ last Monday, with Senate Bill 2164, the “Fitness Professionals Licensing Act”

What it really means to everyone is that if you don't take the courses, pay the registration fee & PASS the state license test you CANNOT be hired or work as a trainer in NJ. It will impose HARSH penalties & fines on anyone who is not NBFE licensed.

NJ will be the start, if it passes here - the goal is for the whole USA to be under NBFE rule!
I originally thought it might be a good thing (maybe it would weed out all the poorly educated / skilled trainers) until Dr. Jones warned me 2 years ago at his Medical Exercise Specialist course NOT to vote or be in favor of the NFBE - his fear is coming true

According to a personal conversation with Michael Jones, Phd, PT:

THIS BILL WILL OUTLINE A REDUCED SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR PERSONAL TRAINERS AND ANYONE VIOLATING IT WOULD BE FINED, AND FACE CHARGES OF WORKING BEYOND THEIR SCOPE OF PRACTICE WHICH COULD RESULT IN COURT CASES, LOSE OF LICENSURE & HEAVY PENALTIES!!

Some things that it would be outside a trainers scope of practice: Nutritional advice / diet plans / supplement recommendations; hands-on partner stretching; joint mobility work, soft tissue work (foam rolling etc), stress reduction & lifestyle management, possibly even sport specific training / coaching. Basically any "hands-on" treatment or nutritional information or therapeutic form of exercise would be prohibited and become the SOLE domain of Physical Therapists, Registered Dieticians & Licensed Massage Therapists.

They are not spelling all this out, but Dr. Jones was asked to be part of NBFE and he turned them down because he saw what their true intention is, complete control & regulation of the fitness industry / personal training.

Please forward this to every trainer / coach you know and have them fill out the information & add personal info to the provided letter. Anyone can voice their opinion but ESPECIALLY if you live in NJ, it will go to the proper government officials.

If we a ll don't act NOW, our livelihoods are in DANGER!!!

Please act now - the bill may go to the NJ Senate on Oct 20th - THIS MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!!

Gordon Waddell, PES,CSCS,CES

Here is the proposed bill & the link to voice your opinion against it:

Flawed Personal Training Licensing Bill Introduced in NJ Senate

Voice Your Opposition Today

On Monday, legislation was introduced in the State Senate that would place unnecessary and burdensome licensing requirements on New Jersey personal trainers and group exercise instructors.

Senate Bill 2164, the “Fitness Professionals Licensing Act”, would establish a State Board of Fitness Professionals and impose the following:

- Educational requirements imposed by the Governor-appointed Board, including 150 hours of Board-approved course work.
- Certification from the National Board of Fitness Examiners.
- Clubs employing fitness professionals must register and pay a undetermined fee every two years.
- New applicants for licensure following SB 2164's enactment must complete 300 hours of Board-approved class work, including 50 hours of an unpaid internship, or possess a degree in a related field.

IHRSA is working with our lobbyist in Trenton to oppose SB 2164 and will continue to contest any legislation that does not offer adequate protection of personal trainers' and group exercise instructors' ability to practice without undue government regulation.

This bill could be heard as early as October 20th, so we need you to express your concerns today about how this bill20could prohibit qualified individuals from providing personal training and group exercise services to New Jersey residents, and decrease the number of New Jersey residents pursuing physical activity programs. Please take a few minutes to send a pre-drafted email to legislators using the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact Tim Sullivan, Legislative Analyst, at ts@ihrsa.org or (800) 228-4772. Visit www.ihrsa.org/newjersey for more information.

Why IHRSA Opposes SB 2164, the “Fitness Professionals Licensing Act”
1. The bill ignores the great majority of the personal training industry that has embraced accreditation as a responsible means of self-regulation to ensure consumer safety. Since 2005, IHRSA has recommended that clubs begin hiring personal trainers holding at least one current certification from a certifying organization/agency that has begun third-party accreditation of its certification procedures and protocols from an independent, experienced, and nationally recognized accrediting body.

2. Nominating a single certifying body not only ignores the high accreditation standards set by the NCCA, but also an entire market of accredited certifying bodies. As of today, at least ten personal training certifying bodies have obtained accreditation from=2 0the NCCA.

3. The bill establishes eligibility requirements that would inevitably lead to a dramatic increase in the cost of personal training, thereby decreasing the number of people pursuing rigorous physical activity programs.

4. The bill's education requirements are arbitrary, unworkable, and wholly detached from current industry practice. The bill represents an extreme departure from industry practice by requiring fitness professionals to complete an educational prerequisite equal in time to roughly 7 college courses. It is unclear why such a requirement would be necessary for a non-clinical vocation. It is also important to note that such a course does not currently exist.

5. Licensing requirements could have an especially devastating effect on group fitness instructors. The additional costs that the Fitness Professionals Licensing Act would impose on these instructors would undoubtedly have a prohibitive effect on the number of individuals willing to engage in the practice.

6. A professional registry for fitness professionals, as envisioned by this legislation, requires meticulous oversight and maintenance, and may too easily be neglected due to its significant budgetary impact. Considering the difficult budget constraints currently facing the state, an unequivocal, long-term commitment of personnel and tax revenue to the oversight and maintenance of the registry is hard to foresee.

Click the link below to log in and send your mes sage:
http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/ihrsa26954295.aspx



 

[Disgusted]

It was just a matter of time. I said for years that this would come and yes it is BS. Trust me, one day you won't even be able to open a gym without having some kind of medical license.

[Tombo]

That's really bad and monopolizing, do you guys even have a union? fuckin' rape those turds

[Tapeworm]

So don't work as a "personal trainer" anymore.  Retitle yourself a "fitness coach" or a "healthy lifestyle consult." 

The big danger is weaker marketability with competition from "accredited" guys.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

From Mike Boyle.......



Posted Oct 11,2008 12:33 AM   
Hi All,

I put this in the business forum but if anyone would like to put it in the other 2 it would be greatly appreciated!!!!

There is a serious problem on the horizon - it is called the NBFE - national board of fitness examiners, a self-appointed bunch of a@#holes that want to regulate, control and monopolize the fitness industry.

It started in NJ last Monday, with Senate Bill 2164, the “Fitness Professionals Licensing Act”

What it really means to everyone is that if you don't take the courses, pay the registration fee & PASS the state license test you CANNOT be hired or work as a trainer in NJ. It will impose HARSH penalties & fines on anyone who is not NBFE licensed.

NJ will be the start, if it passes here - the goal is for the whole USA to be under NBFE rule!
I originally thought it might be a good thing (maybe it would weed out all the poorly educated / skilled trainers) until Dr. Jones warned me 2 years ago at his Medical Exercise Specialist course NOT to vote or be in favor of the NFBE - his fear is coming true

According to a personal conversation with Michael Jones, Phd, PT:

THIS BILL WILL OUTLINE A REDUCED SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR PERSONAL TRAINERS AND ANYONE VIOLATING IT WOULD BE FINED, AND FACE CHARGES OF WORKING BEYOND THEIR SCOPE OF PRACTICE WHICH COULD RESULT IN COURT CASES, LOSE OF LICENSURE & HEAVY PENALTIES!!

Some things that it would be outside a trainers scope of practice: Nutritional advice / diet plans / supplement recommendations; hands-on partner stretching; joint mobility work, soft tissue work (foam rolling etc), stress reduction & lifestyle management, possibly even sport specific training / coaching. Basically any "hands-on" treatment or nutritional information or therapeutic form of exercise would be prohibited and become the SOLE domain of Physical Therapists, Registered Dieticians & Licensed Massage Therapists.

They are not spelling all this out, but Dr. Jones was asked to be part of NBFE and he turned them down because he saw what their true intention is, complete control & regulation of the fitness industry / personal training.

Please forward this to every trainer / coach you know and have them fill out the information & add personal info to the provided letter. Anyone can voice their opinion but ESPECIALLY if you live in NJ, it will go to the proper government officials.

If we a ll don't act NOW, our livelihoods are in DANGER!!!

Please act now - the bill may go to the NJ Senate on Oct 20th - THIS MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!!

Gordon Waddell, PES,CSCS,CES

Here is the proposed bill & the link to voice your opinion against it:

Flawed Personal Training Licensing Bill Introduced in NJ Senate

Voice Your Opposition Today

On Monday, legislation was introduced in the State Senate that would place unnecessary and burdensome licensing requirements on New Jersey personal trainers and group exercise instructors.

Senate Bill 2164, the “Fitness Professionals Licensing Act”, would establish a State Board of Fitness Professionals and impose the following:

- Educational requirements imposed by the Governor-appointed Board, including 150 hours of Board-approved course work.
- Certification from the National Board of Fitness Examiners.
- Clubs employing fitness professionals must register and pay a undetermined fee every two years.
- New applicants for licensure following SB 2164's enactment must complete 300 hours of Board-approved class work, including 50 hours of an unpaid internship, or possess a degree in a related field.

IHRSA is working with our lobbyist in Trenton to oppose SB 2164 and will continue to contest any legislation that does not offer adequate protection of personal trainers' and group exercise instructors' ability to practice without undue government regulation.

This bill could be heard as early as October 20th, so we need you to express your concerns today about how this bill20could prohibit qualified individuals from providing personal training and group exercise services to New Jersey residents, and decrease the number of New Jersey residents pursuing physical activity programs. Please take a few minutes to send a pre-drafted email to legislators using the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact Tim Sullivan, Legislative Analyst, at ts@ihrsa.org or (800) 228-4772. Visit www.ihrsa.org/newjersey for more information.

Why IHRSA Opposes SB 2164, the “Fitness Professionals Licensing Act”
1. The bill ignores the great majority of the personal training industry that has embraced accreditation as a responsible means of self-regulation to ensure consumer safety. Since 2005, IHRSA has recommended that clubs begin hiring personal trainers holding at least one current certification from a certifying organization/agency that has begun third-party accreditation of its certification procedures and protocols from an independent, experienced, and nationally recognized accrediting body.

2. Nominating a single certifying body not only ignores the high accreditation standards set by the NCCA, but also an entire market of accredited certifying bodies. As of today, at least ten personal training certifying bodies have obtained accreditation from=2 0the NCCA.

3. The bill establishes eligibility requirements that would inevitably lead to a dramatic increase in the cost of personal training, thereby decreasing the number of people pursuing rigorous physical activity programs.

4. The bill's education requirements are arbitrary, unworkable, and wholly detached from current industry practice. The bill represents an extreme departure from industry practice by requiring fitness professionals to complete an educational prerequisite equal in time to roughly 7 college courses. It is unclear why such a requirement would be necessary for a non-clinical vocation. It is also important to note that such a course does not currently exist.

5. Licensing requirements could have an especially devastating effect on group fitness instructors. The additional costs that the Fitness Professionals Licensing Act would impose on these instructors would undoubtedly have a prohibitive effect on the number of individuals willing to engage in the practice.

6. A professional registry for fitness professionals, as envisioned by this legislation, requires meticulous oversight and maintenance, and may too easily be neglected due to its significant budgetary impact. Considering the difficult budget constraints currently facing the state, an unequivocal, long-term commitment of personnel and tax revenue to the oversight and maintenance of the registry is hard to foresee.

Click the link below to log in and send your mes sage:
http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/ihrsa26954295.aspx



 

About time they started regulating this shit.  No personal trainer shouldn't be doing joint mobility under any circumstances as they are not licensed whatsoever to do so.  Diet & Nutrition should be done by certified nutritionists as well.

The only problem I see is the NBFE is overstepping their ground for profit.  This bill will be thrown out but regulation is needed in this industry

[Tapeworm]

"Who ya gonna ask in Washington?  Whadda they know about chickens?"

[The Coach]

Vince, your not going to learn joint mobility just from taking a state test. They'll want you to go through a state program that will have the same info as the PT test you already took. What you are basically saying, just because you take THEIR test qualifies you to do joint mobility? No, it doesn't. Even though I'm not a PT, I've studied the same stuff and have attended PT seminars , symposiums and conventions for the past 15 years to learn what I know. It's a scam.

[Smokincrazy]

About time they started regulating this shit.  No personal trainer shouldn't be doing joint mobility under any circumstances as they are not licensed whatsoever to do so.  Diet & Nutrition should be done by certified nutritionists as well.

The only problem I see is the NBFE is overstepping their ground for profit.  This bill will be thrown out but regulation is needed in this industry

Vince would never have to worry about this because nobody recognizes him as a trainer

[The Coach]

So don't work as a "personal trainer" anymore.  Retitle yourself a "fitness coach" or a "healthy lifestyle consult." 

The big danger is weaker marketability with competition from "accredited" guys.

Don't know exactly how that would work, but knowing some of these state legislators, they'll find a loop hole. For the record I don't call myself a "personal trainer".

One advantage is that personal trainers could apply to be preferred providers for insurance companies, the down side, they would get paid less than what they make now. For example, if I were to bill someone for $95, insurance might give me $40 if they approve it.

[oldtimer1]

I live in NJ and let's call a spade a spade.  Internet certification is an unregulated joke.  How many of these certificates sites are run out of some 25 year old's bedroom computer in their mother's house?  Pay $500 bucks and take a 4 week course.  Does this certify you in exercise physiology?  When I took anatomy and physiology in college it was a two semester course with a lab.  It was a 8 credit course.  Now in one day you know kinesiology?  Gyms want a cpr card and some kind of certification is to lesson their liability in a law suit by throwing the liability onto the trainer and his certification paper. 

I do understand your concern when politics is going to regulate an industry that they know nothing about.

 I train in my basement for the most part but when I go to my wife's giant fitness palace it's fun watching the personal trainers.  I watch with amusement the antics of these rep counters.  You would think the goal is to get beginners to formulate their own fitness routines but the goal is to see how long they can hold onto a client.  One trainer changed routines every workout to keep their beginner trainer throughly confused and dazed.

Going back to NJ politics I predict a new commissioner job being created and appointed by the governor.  It will be a 6 figure position and they will regulate personal trainers who will have to be licensed.  I bet the commissioner will dictate training that will be very profitable to the provider of the "education."  Knowing NJ politics the provider will be some college that will have ties to the commissioner some how.  Just a guess. 

This could go national making every personal trainers certificate worthless.

 

[Disgusted]

To be honest I'm wondering what has taken so long for the government to regulate things. I guarantee you that privately owned gyms will be a thing of the past in the near future and you will not be able to join a gym unless you have a physical by your Dr or the gym. You better start saving your money for a fuking Bowflex.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Vince, your not going to learn joint mobility just from taking a state test. They'll want you to go through a state program that will have the same info as the PT test you already took. What you are basically saying, just because you take THEIR test qualifies you to do joint mobility? No, it doesn't. Even though I'm not a PT, I've studied the same stuff and have attended PT seminars , symposiums and conventions for the past 15 years to learn what I know. It's a scam.

The part I have a problem with is that a trainer should have documented hands on training in stuff such as joint mobility. 

However, you and I know that a lot of PT trainers come in off the street with no experience and training and are basically selling themselves off as physical therapist, dieticians, chiropractors, etc in order to obtain more customers.

I do believe it should be regulated more in terms of actual training

[The_Leafy_Bug]

Vince, your not going to learn joint mobility just from taking a state test. They'll want you to go through a state program that will have the same info as the PT test you already took. What you are basically saying, just because you take THEIR test qualifies you to do joint mobility? No, it doesn't. Even though I'm not a PT, I've studied the same stuff and have attended PT seminars , symposiums and conventions for the past 15 years to learn what I know. It's a scam.

Don't know if you know it but PT is a scam in general which is why I refuse to pay 350-600 dollars to get certified in crap i already know.

[lift 456]

The part I have a problem with is that a trainer should have documented hands on training in stuff such as joint mobility. 

However, you and I know that a lot of PT trainers come in off the street with no experience and training and are basically selling themselves off as physical therapist, dieticians, chiropractors, etc in order to obtain more customers.

I do believe it should be regulated more in terms of actual training

are you the same vince goodrum that derek anthony spat upon TWICE at a show, and you didn't do anything?

[Disgusted]

So bout 12 years ago when I owned my gym this guy on crutches comes in and tells me that so and so, a chiropractor who happens to be a friend of mine told him to come to me for help. I asked what was wrong. He said that his Dr told him that he needed to have his leg amputated!! I'm like WTF, but I kept my cool and asked what he thought I could do for him. He tells me that my friend said that I may be able to help. Right about then I'm thinkin that I'm gonna kill my Chiro buddy next time I see him. So, this guy tells me that he has been to all kinds of PT's and finally a specialist that told him there was noting left to do but amputate. He said he got this way from being on crutches way too long. I can't recall what from at the moment.

I felt really bad for this guy so I told him that I would take a look at his leg and see if I felt there way anything that I could do. At first glance I could see that his lymphatic system was fuked. His leg and foot looked dead. I worked with this guy for six weeks doing some exercises and also doing light massage in a specific manner as to try and drain the fluid from his leg. At the end of 6 weeks he was actually walking on the leg with crutches. He had not been able to do this in almost 18 months. I told this guy to continue to do what we had done on his own and have his wife continue the massage. I saw this guy again about a year later and he walked up to me on his own two feet with the help of a cain. I gotta be honest it felt good to be able to help this guy. Now, I'll be the first to tell everyone here that I have no degree other than a high school diploma. The very sad and fuked up thing is that why the Hell couldn't his Dr and or PT do the same damn thing that I did? I consider what I did for this guy just slightly more than common sense. He was never once told that he had any kind of lymphatic problem. My point is that there are also some really bad Dr and PT's out there and these guys have gone to school for this shit!! So it goes both ways. I hear stories like this all the time. Also, these CPT courses are noting more than a freakin scam!!!!!

[The Coach]

Don't know if you know it but PT is a scam in general which is why I refuse to pay 350-600 dollars to get certified in crap i already know.

  oh brother!

[The_Leafy_Bug]

oh brother!

I've read the books.  Waste of time like replying to the roach...

[The Coach]

I've read the books.  Waste of time like replying to the roach...

and what books were those?

[The Coach]

I've read the books.  Waste of time like replying to the roach...

Sooo, if I asked you to put together a periodized S&C program from now until the beginning of spring training for baseball you would have no problem doing that?

[The Coach]

Waiting leafy

[Devon97]

So bout 12 years ago when I owned my gym this guy on crutches comes in and tells me that so and so, a chiropractor who happens to be a friend of mine told him to come to me for help. I asked what was wrong. He said that his Dr told him that he needed to have his leg amputated!! I'm like WTF, but I kept my cool and asked what he thought I could do for him. He tells me that my friend said that I may be able to help. Right about then I'm thinkin that I'm gonna kill my Chiro buddy next time I see him. So, this guy tells me that he has been to all kinds of PT's and finally a specialist that told him there was noting left to do but amputate. He said he got this way from being on crutches way too long. I can't recall what from at the moment.

I felt really bad for this guy so I told him that I would take a look at his leg and see if I felt there way anything that I could do. At first glance I could see that his lymphatic system was fuked. His leg and foot looked dead. I worked with this guy for six weeks doing some exercises and also doing light massage in a specific manner as to try and drain the fluid from his leg. At the end of 6 weeks he was actually walking on the leg with crutches. He had not been able to do this in almost 18 months. I told this guy to continue to do what we had done on his own and have his wife continue the massage. I saw this guy again about a year later and he walked up to me on his own two feet with the help of a cain. I gotta be honest it felt good to be able to help this guy. Now, I'll be the first to tell everyone here that I have no degree other than a high school diploma. The very sad and fuked up thing is that why the Hell couldn't his Dr and or PT do the same damn thing that I did? I consider what I did for this guy just slightly more than common sense. He was never once told that he had any kind of lymphatic problem. My point is that there are also some really bad Dr and PT's out there and these guys have gone to school for this shit!! So it goes both ways. I hear stories like this all the time. Also, these CPT courses are noting more than a freakin scam!!!!!

Very true Physical therapists are awfull and most chiros are too.

[The_Leafy_Bug]

and what books were those?

I had the ACE and the AFFA. Look, im not claiming to be a know it all youth. There is a lot i don't know. I just don't care to dish 600 dollars in order to help someone.