ISSA: First Fitness Organization to Earn National Accreditation by a Federally Recognized Accrediting Agency

Carpinteria, CA - January 22, 2009 - The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) announced today that it has been awarded national accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

The Washington, DC-based Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

"The ISSA is honored to be the first fitness organization in the United States to have earned national accreditation through the distinguished Accreditation Commission of the DETC," said Dr. Sal Arria, CEO and Co-Founder of the ISSA. "As the first organization to educate and certify personal fitness trainers back in the 80's, we felt it was in the best interest of the profession to continue requiring education to become a certified personal trainer," said Dr. Arria.

"Most people don't realize this, but the majority of the 'accredited' fitness organizations that certify personal trainers are actually prohibited from requiring specific courses, classes, or education as a prerequisite to sit for their examination. We felt that wasn't the right choice for the ISSA, nor is it in the best interest of the profession or the public," said Dr. Fred Hatfield, President and Co-Founder of the ISSA. "We chose to pursue DETC accreditation because they are federally recognized and their rigorous, high standards were in line with our business model of providing quality education and exceptional student support, during and after our students enter the field."

The independent, nine-member Accrediting Commission of the DETC was established in 1955. Shortly thereafter, it gained the approval of the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency under terms of Public Law. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) also recognizes the Accrediting Commission. For more information, visit www.DETC.org

Founded in 1988, the ISSA was the first fitness organization to educate and certify personal trainers. Since that time, the ISSA has provided education, continuing education, and certification to over 120,000 students and trainers in 84 countries worldwide, and continues to set the standards for fitness education. For more information, visit www.FitnessEducation.com