Canadians have always considered themselves to be quite hearty as a result of living in a rather demanding climate but, according to many health experts, there is a burgeoning fitness crisis looming on the near horizon. According to statistics compiled by the CFLRI, Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute; “Current estimates from the 2000/01 Canadian Community Health Survey indicate that 33% of Canadians aged 20+ have a body mass index over 25 and are thus considered overweight.”

Apart from the concern about obesity, many health experts worry about the general fitness levels of Canada’s youth and elderly citizens. As kids spend more time in front of computers and home-entertainment systems, they devote less of their day to strenuous physical activity. Lack of exercise among the elderly can result in poor balance and susceptibility
to falls.

Poor fitness is an enormous cost-driver within our health-care system.
In 2003, according to the CFLRI, health-care spending increased by $84 billion from the amount spent in 1998. To combat deterioration from inactivity, governments on the federal, provincial, and municipal levels are encouraging get-fit programs for all segments of the population. Many Canadians want to get fit but either cannot find the time to go to a gym or are unsure if a class-oriented approach will fit their needs. As a result, the field of personal training is becoming one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country.

The ICS Canada Personal Trainer Program instructs the student in the vital aspects of designing a physical conditioning regimen and tailoring it to suit the needs of the individual. The program also leads to National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) certification which is becoming the standard throughout North America.