Reformer Certification In New York

If you are a fitness instructor, personal trainer, or dance teacher, you're probably already familiar with NOCA and IHRSA (the International Health, Racquet, and Sports Club Association). "NOCA" stands for the National Organization for Competency Assurance. NOCA serves as an objective "third party" for fitness training programs; if a program is of a high enough quality, NOCA will credit that program positively. Simply put, they'll give the program their stamp of approval.

Why is third party approval necessary? Well, consider the state of affairs without it: just about anyone could open up a Pilates training program that offered certification to graduating students. Someone with very little Pilates knowledge could teach a five-hour workshop, then hand out certificates to all students at the end of the day, announcing that they are certified to work on all pieces of Pilates equipment.

Of course, handing out certificates after such limited training is both unethical and dangerous, but without a third party like NOCA, who's to stop such training programs from making a quick buck? Organizations like IHRSA are interested only in NOCA-approved certifications. The IHRSA strongly recommends that its member gyms and clubs (of which there are thousands) only hire those Pilates trainers who can show NOCA-approved certification.

The Pilates Academy International is currently in the process of applying for NOCA accreditation for our Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Ladder Barrel, Arc Barrel, Mat, and Special Populations classes. By the time you read this, we may well have received our acceptance already. Call us at (212) 687-3787 to find out about our current NOCA status.

News provided by Google™ - April 10, 2007