IFTA provides potential fitness instructors and trainers the education and practical skills necessary to be qualified leaders.
To provide communities with successful fitness training, more recreation centers are adding in-house instructors and trainers as a wellness option for members.
This rising trend means more certified instructors will be needed in the industry. This is why the International Fitness Trainers Association (IFTA) is a timely organization for recreation leaders to utilize.
“Our objective is to educate participants on safe, effective movement and to link health and wellness in meaningful ways,” said Carter Collins, the owner and operator of IFTA. “In dedication to lifetime health and fitness, it’s IFTA’s desire to service fitness professionals by giving them the tools needed to develop all components of fitness and wellness. Our focus is to serve our members by providing the most advanced content and educational programs available.”
Humble Beginnings
At first, the fitness industry was an extra side hustle for Collins as she taught group fitness classes while studying nursing at the University of Virginia. She was an IFTA-certified instructor in several modalities like barre, personal training and Pilates.
She came to love the programming and the people, and after working as a nurse she realized there was a great opportunity to bridge her medical background with wellness and fitness.
Collins then negotiated a partnership with IFTA and the club chain where she was working at the time, and met Greg Sims, the former owner of IFTA.
“I always loved IFTA and the personal touch IFTA offers,” said Collins. “I started to build science-backed fitness programming for club chains in the Southeast U.S. and found success there. When the opportunity to purchase IFTA presented itself, I jumped on it. It’s the ultimate way to program quality certifications while also creating meaningful, continuing education content with my health care background.”
Hands-On Work
As owner, Collins said it’s one of the only certification companies that still offers hands-on training. In fact, all its certifications are a hybrid model where a big piece of the learning is online and self-paced.
However, it’s important to Collins for IFTA to offer a space where that knowledge is put into practice. “I love working with new and experienced instructors alike to arm them with the tools they need to change lives in their own communities,” she said. “Our live virtual or in-person practical sessions allow for collaborative learning and practical application in a motivating and safe environment.”
Collins also finds this work fulfilling due to all the research behind the cutting-edge education. This is because IFTA wants its members to have access to the most recent information on fitness trends and general happenings in the industry. “I love to read and write about everything from safe movement to the use of GLP-1s and other weight loss drugs to leadership in the fitness industry,” she said.
While the instruction is always up to date, what truly sets IFTA apart from other fitness certification options is the organization offers training and education opportunities that support unique lifestyles and fitness goals.
“Whether you prefer hands-on training or the convenience of online learning, IFTA has something for everyone,” said Collins. “IFTA has the ability to run onsite training sessions for groups of people that give hands-on, practical knowledge.”
Making A Difference
Specifically, this is how IFTA can make a difference at community recreation centers. Collins said her company has already had success with large YMCA associations because IFTA will come and deliver experiences directly to you.
“We partnered with the YMCA of South Hampton Roads and recently delivered a large personal trainer certification session in Yorktown, Virginia, for the Piedmont Family YMCA,” said Collins. “Also, we enjoy our relationships with YMCA associations in South Dakota and El Paso, Texas, among so many others across the country. We believe in the highest standards and quality of certifications at an affordable price tag. We believe accessible fitness is of paramount importance in 2025.”
Collins said in order to continue the company’s work with entities like YMCAs and JCCs, IFTA will deliver certifications across the country at a price point that works for community rec centers.
IFTA is able to negotiate rates for certifications and hand-on continuing education depending on the number of people, and the company truly loves the personal touches staff members offer.
“We believe when you invest in your people, you create a loyal, hardworking team,” said Collins. “We can boost morale and foster an enthusiastic team environment while we learn more about fitness and movement.”
Always Innovating
One of the unique aspects of IFTA is the organization chooses to have full recognition and verification through the federal government’s system for award government program. They don’t choose to be accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Collins said this is because her team feels third party verification is important but the NCCA is expensive, and IFTA doesn’t want the cost to be passed to members.
“In fact, many other large certification companies are ending their accreditation relationship for most certifications,” said Collins. “If we chose NCAA accreditation, we would have to give up our in-person component and our ‘less stress testing.’ Our exams are open book, allowing participants to research answers to questions where they may not remember the answers.”
IFTA also has a charitable arm serving incarcerated men and women. To do this, the organization certifies within the Federal Bureau of Prisons system, allowing inmates the practical application of skills while incarcerated, and experience and vocational training when they’re released.
“This would be impossible under the NCCA regulations for testing,” said Collins. “We’re very proud of this work, and proud to be fully verified and approved by the Federal Government.”
What Lies Ahead
Moving forward, one of the initiatives IFTA is working on for 2025 is adding a choreography library. To do this, the team will film and photograph sequences and exercises to provide members updated ideas for classes and coaching.
“We’re excited to introduce results-driven ideas for corrective exercise for personal trainers, new sequences and choreography ideas for our mat Pilates instructors, and even sequencing for other formats like step and kickboxing,” said Collins. “We’re building a very cool library.”
But for now, Collins can be found at IFTA’s headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, responding to questions from members, processing requests, and researching the latest and greatest in everything from new moves and choreography to science-backed, peer reviewed articles on wellness.
“The recreation industry is the perfect platform for IFTA,” said Collins. “We try to always be correct, current, science-backed and results-driven. We will come to you to certify your community, and we can certify many employees and offer continuing education events where we will offer multiple classes and workshops that benefit everyone. Also, we will travel anywhere in the world to bring you quality certifications and collaborative learning. We would love to come to you.”
