Learning in Reverse

The idea for this weeks' posting came to me while studying for my next credential, the Certified Kettlebell - Functional Movement Specialist (CK-FMS). A more friendly subject line would be "Evolving in your career". No matter the title, I am sure any one of you that are in and/or have been working in human performance can relate to this storyline.

Now a little about how I came to the place I am at today:

I will get opinionated in some of these evaluations; I learned something from each of the following experiences and am not intentionally demeaning, just stating my facts from my experiences.

1. ISSA Certified Personal Trainer (January, 1997). I will not forget Fred Hatfield, the man who got my wheels turning and geared to become a strength professional. A lot of good information for a weekend course. The only problem is there wasn't a pass/fail test, therefore I can't categorize it as a certification, but a seminar.

2. Lorain County Community College (1997-1998). I had to get started academically because my background was business. Some of my best teachers were at this small college in Elyria, Ohio, Jim Blahnik (A & P) and Harry Kessler (Microbiology).

3. Appalachian State University (1998-1999). Master of Science in Exercise Science. Thank God for APP believing in me enough to put me in front of a class to teach with NO BACKGROUND, just a high Quant score for Biomechanics.

4. NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist - CSCS (1999). For the academic in me. Finally some accountability in a certification. Preparation was key for this exam. A must certification for anyone in the field, however it lacks the physical one-on-one examination needed for a complete experience.

5. Auburn University (2000-2004). Instructor and PhD student in Nutrition. A great experience teaching 100 plus students per class and researching areas that do not interest me. Chalk it up to experience, get the dietitian license and move on.

6. CrossFit Level 1 (2007). Crossfit is a perfect fit for the individual with no educational background in physical activity. The information is good, the seminar is informative, and the workouts intense. It is a seminar, not a certification again because there is no pass/fail exam for accountability measure.

7. American Kettlebell Club Coach - AKC (2008). Perfect for the person that wants to train with kettlebells for competition. Again, the information was good and informative, however, the experience lacked a formal examination process forcing me to deem it a seminar.

8. RKC (2008). The smartest thing I ever did for myself. You get physically challenged, evaluated, and are put in a position to instruct a victim. We would have more qualified personal trainers if all certifying agencies were to take the approach of the RKC. ACCOUNTABILITY.

9. CK-FMS. (May, 2010). I am planning 4 months of preparation for this 4 day workshop and subsequent exam and case study.

Why CK-FMS? Because in all my experiences, certifications, and educations someone is finally approaching human performance at a defined beginning point, CLIENT EVALUATION before programming.

Isn't this where we all should start our careers in personal training? Hence the title of this post.

If all of the certifying agencies would have a recommended beginning point of evaluation that is standardized no matter the client, then we would have less injuries. RKC has a training progression that separates it from the others.

Long ago my dad taught me that if there is a day when I know everything and stop learning then I will be a dead man, whether physical or mental. I am finally pursuing a certification that provides a starting point when evaluating someone, always evolving.

Mark