HISTORY

In 1994, the IFPA began teaching in major universities, fitness facilities, and conference centers throughout the US and internationally. The IFPA continued to grow as the International Federation of Body Builders (I.F.B.B.), National Physique Committee (N.P.C.), numerous ESPN fitness stars, and Olympic and world champion athletes used IFPA certification courses to advance their fitness training, knowledge, and careers.

In 1996, Olympic team physician Dr. Ben Lerner recognized the practical nature of the IFPA education and invited the IFPA to present its certifications to the Olympic athletes in Colorado Springs, CO. James T. Bell, PhD, president and founder of the IFPA, was then invited to be the lead speaker on exercise physiology and sports nutrition at the Olympic Coaches College on two separate occasions (an honor shared by only three other individuals); in 1996 at the University of Minnesota, and again in 1998 at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York.

MISSION

The International Fitness Professionals Association is devoted to offering the highest quality learning experiences to individuals aiming to improve their lifestyle, and those aiming to improve the lifestyle of others. Our educational opportunities provide only the most practical and scientifically based health and fitness information that can be directly applied to “real life” experiences. It is with this dedication that the IFPA is committed to being the lifelong exercise and training resource to the entire fitness community. 

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

"A functional fitness education must be based on the principles of science and taught with the application of experience." IFPA certification is built consistently on this philosophy. Our revolutionary curriculum takes the complexities of exercise physiology, synthesizes them down to their essence, and teaches them in a way that those without educational backgrounds can understand, learn, and apply to "real life" fitness experiences. Furthermore, all IFPA faculty are not only required to have achieved a Masters degree or higher in an exercise, health, or fitness related area, but also must have participated in significant work and teaching experiences in that field. The IFPA ensures that our instructors have the ability to explain the most difficult concepts in an understandable and practical format. It is with these uncompromised standards that the IFPA provides the most valuable fitness certification available.

FITNESS

The IFPA has developed the industry’s foremost Fitness Professional Certification that will teach your trainers everything they need to know to train your patients safely and effectively.

FITNESS CERTIFICATIONS

Some of the IFPA Certifications include:

- Certified Personal Fitness Trainer

- Certified Advanced Personal Fitness Trainer

- Certified Master Personal Fitness Trainer

- Certified Youth Fitness Instructor

- Certified Senior Fitness Instructor

- Certified Exercise Motivation Specialist

- Certified Post/Secondary Rehabilitation Specialist

- Certified Functional Trainer

- Certified Group Fitness Instructor

- Certified Women’s Fitness Instructor

- Certified Program Design Specialist

- Certified Optimal Muscle Training Specialist

- Certified Functional Senior Fitness Trainer

- Certified Flexibility Coach

- Certified Sports Conditioning Specialist 

NUTRITION

The IFPA has developed the world’s foremost courses to train fitness professionals to educate and guide their clients in healthy, nutritious eating.

Some of the IFPA Nutrition Courses include:

- Sports Nutrition Specialist Certification

- Weight Management Instructor

ONGOING EDUCATION & TRAINING

Beyond the IFPA’s impressive and extensive array of certification courses, the IFPA offers an equally impressive and extensive array of CEU (Continuing Education Unit) courses. CEU courses are designed to keep your fitness professionals at the “top of their game” by keeping them current in their field and continuously upgrading their knowledge and skill.

The IFPA is the first education and certification organization in the Fitness Industry to become an Authorized IACET (International Association for Continuing Education and Training) Provider. The IFPA earned this elite credential by adhering to very exacting education standards. These are the same standards the IFPA will demand of every Fitness Professional that works for you.