IRONMAN and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) are teaming up to expand the sport of triathlon through IRONMAN U. This online education and coaching certification platform offers instruction for coaches and endurance athletes of varying skills and abilities.
Personal trainers that are certified by NASM will now have a unique opportunity to introduce their clients to triathlon, expanding their existing strength and conditioning fitness programs into sport specific training plans.
“At NASM we strive every day to help people live healthier, happier lives by certifying what we believe are the best educated, trained and prepared fitness professionals on the planet. IRONMAN U truly exemplifies that vision,” said Andrew Wyant, President of NASM. “We’re confident trainers and triathletes alike are going to benefit greatly from this exciting new partnership.”
NASM worked with IRONMAN in the creation of the Strength and Conditioning module contained in the IRONMAN Coaching Certification Program. In addition, IRONMAN U has been approved by NASM as a certified Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Provider for its recertification requirements.
“We are thrilled that NASM considers IRONMAN U and the IRONMAN Coaching Certification Program to meet its high standards of a Continuing Education Unit Provider for its certified trainers,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer for IRONMAN.
He continued, “Triathletes spend between six and nine months preparing for an IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 event. We believe that working with NASM certified trainers who utilize IRONMAN U will provide athletes with the best possible opportunity to have a successful race.
“We look forward to working with NASM to develop the sport of triathlon and reaching out to a new generation of athletes.”
Currently, coaches who are Personal Trainers certified by NASM are required to recertify every two years by completing 20 hours of continuing education (2.0 CE units) that focuses on increasing their knowledge, skills and abilities. For trainers looking to fulfill this requirement, the IRONMAN Coaching Certification Program is approved for 14 hours (1.4 CEUs) towards recertification.
The core curriculum of the IRONMAN Coaching Certification program is delivered through 11 modules which include topics focused on successfully coaching and training the endurance athlete. These topics range from IRONMAN history, coaching philosophy, the development of training plans, event preparation, to swimming, biking, running, strength and conditioning, understanding exercise science and sports nutrition.
In addition, specialized modules on swim and run form analysis are currently being developed and will be available later this year.
The basis for the curriculum is the collaboration of subject-matter experts as well as six IRONMAN U Master Coaches with extensive endurance sports backgrounds and knowledge, who are regarded as ‘leaders and legends in the sport of triathlon’. They include Mark Allen, Matt Dixon, Troy Jacobson, Paula Newby-Fraser, Dave Scott and Lance Watson.
university.ironman.com
www.nasm.org
