Afp Spotlight

Michele C. Blake has been in the fitness industry for more than 15 years and was impressed upon hearing about the AFAA Fitness Practitioner (AFP) program. In the midst of looking for an element to add to her college education, Blake discovered how the AFP program would add a higher level of credibility and knowledge to her health and fitness expertise. After five certifications, 10 home studies and an actual case study, she was glad to announce the completion of her goal before the new millennium.

Recently, Blake was hired to serve as the AFAA Fitness Practitioner Coordinator. "Now I have the opportunity to help other candidates complete their programs and guide them into successful careers," she says. "Currently, I am an AFAA Associate Consultant/Examiner for the Primary, Step and Kickboxing Certifications. It is required that I know and apply all of AFAA's exercise standards and guidelines. While in the office, I register participants for workshops and certifications, giving them study tips and supplementary resources to aid them in preparation for all the AFAA certifications."

Blake's business, Moderation By Michele: Health and Fitness Services[TM], has jumped off the ground tremendously over the last couple of months. "I teach CPR/First Aid certification courses, as well as theory and practical training for group exercise instructors and personal fitness trainers," she says. "I offer a resource manual, calendar, quarterly newsletters and a chance to submit a personal video critique of knowledge and skills. Currently, I am teaching dance styles like ballroom, jazz, hip-hop and country-line, plus cardio-kickboxing and senior fitness classes for several facilities. I also train a few overweight clients a couple times per week."

Blake is using her past education and experience in conjunction with her new AFP certification to, as she says, "continue bridging the gap between health care and fitness." She says her goal is to "improve the quality of life and enhance the education and experience of our fitness leaders."

The AFAA Fitness Practitioner[R] (AFP) is AFAA's highest level of certification--a degreed professional dedicated to providing a full range of fitness education services such as assessment, nutritional education and one-on-one training and counseling. For more information regarding prerequisites and course curriculum, call (800) 446-2322, ext. 231.

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