AFTA Introduction

 

AFTA is FitTec’s Evaluation Service.


Introduction

The American Fitness Testing Association was an evaluation educational provider for certified FitTec associates and approved fitness professionals and for those looking to be evaluated. AFTA's personalized analysis and outside evaluators motivated clients toward safe, effective, and consistent exercise for several years. It was founded in 2001 and ceased as an association in 2008. Because of its well thought out on-line Testing Manual, which was used in several research studies, the author was asked to co-write a book with a Harvard Medical School Prof. in 2006. See Understanding Fitness.


The American Fitness Testing Association (AFTA) developed a series of highly informative evaluations that will serve personal training clients and gym members. Testing answered many fitness and physique questions. While aiding fitness development it can acted as a motivational tool increasing member retention.


Even though AFTA does not exist as an association all of the Data that had been collected is being used in the new “ I AM Program “ which started in 2021. This is a motivational program where anyone can challenge and motivate themselves. See I AM Program.



Who is the Evaluation For?

There was an evaluation for every body.

Fitness    

Anyone starting or currently within a general fitness program, which included most clients and members.

Strength     

Those who strength train consistently with basic exercises for at least 6 months.

Physique * Very Unique      

Those who had been resistance training for an extended period and wanted to take their body's shape to the next level by training and dieting harder than they had in the past.

Power

Those who worked with the power lifts on a regular basis for at least 12 months.

Endurance

Anyone who worked with body resistance exercises on a regular basis, such as dips, push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, and box jumps.

Aerobic

Those who performed aerobic exercises on a regular basis.


The Reason for AFTA?

There are many health facilities and exercise instructors serving the fitness community across the United States, as well as numerous certifying bodies offering health and fitness education. Even with their professional guidance, clients and members were slipping through the cracks of well run facilities by not being fully served.


Most individuals who trained at health clubs and gyms faced the problem of not having an idea of what is happening to them physically. They most likely had numerous questions, such as:


Where did I physically start from?

Is my training program working?

What’s my fitness level?

What’s my strength or aerobic capacity?


Another problem was most individuals did not get recognition for their fitness, strength, and physique pursuits. There were many strength events, road races, and fitness competitions, but they only served an elite few.


There was a need for an avenue for individuals to receive recognition for their fitness development without having to get up on stage or enter a large athletic arena. Dedicated exercise professionals wanted to be at the forefront of the latest techniques, workout systems, and exercise equipment to improve client performance, attract new clients, increase retention, and create new revenue. Dedicated exercisers wanted to assess their progress in their physical training and to set health and fitness goals.


AFTA fulfilled these needs. Over 30 Trainers across the country used the system but because of the advent of the internet and other competitions the program ceased operation in 2014. Luckily much of the data is still being used today.