Professional Organizations and Memberships

There are a few professional organizations associations you may consider joining.  We have compiled a list below which includes dues information and benefits.  Remember, the benefits of networking with your fellow instructors is invaluable!

ACSM American College of Sports Medicine - Alliance of Health & Fitness Professionals.  Alliance membership is for those in the health and fitness industry who want to concentrate their interests and focus specifically on applied areas of health and fitness.  You do NOT have to be certified by them to become a member.

(Dues $90 per ANNIVERSARY year)
1) ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal (bi-monthly)
2) Sports Medicine Bulletin (quarterly)
3) Discounted registration for ACSM's Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition
4) $25 discount on any ACSM certification examination
5) Electronic Book Review Service
6) Access to an inclusion in ACSM's electronic membership directory
7) Access to group rate insurance (including liability insurance)
8) Access to an ACSM credit card
9) Consumer discounts (i.e., rental car, hotel, etc.)
10) Membership identification card

AFAA  Aerobics and Fitness Association of America  Even if you do not receive certification through them, you can become a member and receive their publications.

(Dues $68 per year)
1)  American Fitness Magazine
2)  Fitness Gets Personal Information Search -Fitness Triage® personalized  screening and access to the AFAA fitness and health information database
3)  Referral Bank™ Registration -- The TeleFitness™ Referral Bank is a referral database assembled and maintained by AFAA for the purpose of linking fitness and health service providers with individuals, companies, or other groups seeking fitness and/or health services
4)  Private Bulletin Boards
5)  Online CEUs -- Coming soon!
6)  Membership Card

AWHP The Association for Worksite Health Promotion  A Great Resource if you are working for a corporate or company fitness program.

Several membership categories are available:

Benefits include:
1)  $135 discount on the 2001 American Journal of Health Promotion Conference
2)  Worksite Health Quarterly Journal
3)  Action Newsletter
4)  $150 discount on the 1999 National Worksite Health Promotion Survey
5)  Book - Guidelines for Employee Health Promotion Programs
6)  Member Directory and Buyers Guide
7)  Worksite Health Professionals National Compensation Survey available for $15.00, instead of $30.00
8)  Professional Recognition

ECA ECA Worldfitness  Individual memberships are available for $45 per year, and business memberships are currently $1500.

Individual membership benefits include:
1) Reduced ECA convention registrations (NYC & Miami)
2) Annual subscription to the "ECA NEWS"
3) Affordable, no-deductible liability insurance
4) Discounts on Spri Products
5) Use of our toll-free number for networking!
6) Discounts on ECA fitness videos (PT and Aerobic)
7) FREE Fitbuy.com professional membership and 20% discount on all purchases
8) FREE application for credit card merchant’s account (accept credit cards from your clients! a $99 value)
9) FREE copy of “Personal Trainer Business Manager for Windows” when your merchant account is approved and vertified.
10) One free classified ad in the ECA News ($15 value)
11) ECA Membership Certificate & wallet ID card
12) Discounts with Power Music

Business memberships include:

1) Your company insert included in 3 months of ECA outgoing “request for info” mailings average distribution is 1800 pieces
2) Internet “Buyer's Guide and Fitness Resource” listing with logo representation
3) 5 subscriptions to ECA News
4) 2 (1/2) page ads in the ECA News

IDEA  The Health & Fitness Source - the World's leading health & fitness education provider.  Their monthly magazine includes articles and quizzes that earn CEC's.  

Several membership categories are available with varying benefits:

Business Membership  Program Director  Personal Trainer  Health Professional  Group Fitness  Associate  Student

$175 $150 $95 $75 $75 $75 $45

The Group Fitness Membership includes:
1)  IDEA Health & Fitness Source Magazine (10 issues per year)
2)  IDEA Fitness Edge (5 issues per year)
3)  Insurance Program Eligibility
4)  Continuing Education (discounts included)
5)  Professional Resources 
6)  Membership Card

REEBOK PROFESSIONAL ALLIANCE  Since 1985, Reebok has offered instructors, personal trainers and other fitness professionals the exclusive membership of the Reebok Alliance. Reebok recognizes these hard working individuals and offers a members-only organization dedicated to providing the latest in fitness products, information and cutting-edge programs.

1)  Free membership.
2)  Exclusive Alliance catalogs - featuring Reebok product at very special Alliance prices.
3)  A complimentary subscription to the Alliance News - our semi-annual publication.
4)  Exclusive website and online store for Alliance members only.
5)  Reebok University and industry schedule of events.
6)  Special promotions!

SFA American Senior Fitness Association  The experts in Older Adult Fitness

(Dues $55 a year, $39 annual renewals)
1) Mature Fitness subscription
2) Career promotion benefits including professional networking opportunities
3) SFA's senior client hand-out package
4) Discounts on other SFA and SFA affiliate's products and services

misc.fitness.aerobic
Newsgroup devoted to discussion of fitness routines, including personal advice on all forms of aerobic activity. FREE!

The specific information contained in this article was correct at the time this article was written, but benefits and costs change frequently.  Be sure to visit the site for specific information.

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