Scirion Institute of Exercise Physiology????

[Amica]

Hey everyone! I have a quick question. I have my degree in Exercise Science and I am certified through ACE as a personal trainer. I have the oppurtunity to work for a company- Scirion Institute of Exercise Physiology.

They are a company that offers national certification in Personal training and Group Exercise Instruction. The problem is that I have never heard anything about them- good or bad and can not find any info on the net other than their website.

Has anyone heard any information on this company to help me decided if I want to work fro them becasue I do not want to work for an unreputable company?

 

[Sassy69]

Can't say I've heard of them. Are they listed with Dunn & Bradstreet? Better Business Bureau?

 

[Amica]

I haven't checked- didn't think about that though! I'll definately look into it thoguh. I hope I found out some info on them. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Skillz1988]

They have an A rating from the Better Business Better. Their program is unique and is only offered to professionals.

 

[Amica]

Yes I took the test to become an instructor for them. It was the worst test format ever. I passsed the test but decided not to become an instructor/proctor because I thought the format of the test would be setting people up for failure. Basically they give you a word like Water, then four other words associated with it and you have to first figure out what they are talking about and then decided which word doesn't belong- As a teacher, with my degree in Educational Assessment I could not give that test to others. Yes it is a hard test, primarily because they don't even give you a question to answer

 

[Skillz1988]

If you are an educator without a degree in ex phys, yet you passed the exam, it proves the exam doesn't set people up for failure. What it seems to prove is that you have to know your stuff to pass. It really bothers me to hear an educator express her unwilliness to provide an exam that is challenging to students. You would rather provide an easy exam? Everyone knows how the Scirion exam is, it's no secret. The point of the exam is so that ONLY smart people can pass it; not just any clown who memorizes a bunch of definitions.

You are certainly in the wrong industry if you don't understand the importance of an exam such as Scirions. The industry already has plenty of easy online exams. What is the point of yet another "memorization test"?!?!

 

[Amica]

Actually Skillz honey I have a dual undergrad degree in Kinesiology and Education and my M.S in Exer Phys.

My point is why would I want to give someone a test that doesn't even have questions??? The test gives you five words, you then need to figure out what the question is about and then from there decided what word does not fit. If you have an educators degree or have taken any type of education assesment classes that you would realize that the format of the test in no way trully asesses what the testee knows.

If they provided normal questions such as, "Explain the reactions that occur in the Kreb Cycle that are responsible for energy production.", then I would more than love to promote and proctor these tests. However the questions they provide you with are: (taken from a sample test)

1.ATP
Kreb Cycle
Lactic Acid
Phosphate
Water

For your information I'm not saying there exam should be made easier at all. Yes it is a hard exam not becasue of the content, but because of the format. The test is meant to asess based on its's content, not wether the testee can figure out the riddle of what the question is in the first place. They can very easily asess someone's knowledge by asking application type of questions such as the one I quoted above. Just becasue your good at testing in a certain format does not make you smart.

The second part of their test is T/F. Your telling me a format like True and False is so challenging that it can only be passed by the super smart people??

Lastly before you insult me anymore I suggest you enroll in an assesment class or come and take one of the college classes I teach about assesment.

Just because you have a PT certificate doesn't mean you know everything, so get rid of the all- knowing additude, or at least learn how to express yourself and your opinions with respect to other people.

 

[Sassy69]

I think I have to agree with you that this test is not going to prove that the person taking the test is kinesially capable (aka qualified to teach here). But it rather seems to beg the question what exactly were they trying to quantify with this test? It sounds more like an exercise in associations, etc. I mean this sounds like stuff you see on the SAT and things like that that are geared more towards assessing understanding of the English language....

Weird.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

I agree with Sassy and Amica.

As an educator who has taken graduate classes in assessment and test design, this test sounds like a bunch of hooey.

 

[Amica]

Exactly Sassy and Daisy...I was having bad flashbacks to the SAT's when I was taking this test!

Don't get me wrong the test was much more involved in Physiology than any other I've seen and has the ability to be one of the better tests out there, bu the format has to be reworked. Remeber just because the tests fomat is harder does not necessarily make it better at testing a person's actual knowledge.

 

[Skillz1988]

I have a Masters degree in Ex Phys and I have four certs, CSCS, ACSM, Cooper and ACE. I may be wrong, but I think that qualifes me to have an opinion on the subject. Amica, I wouldn't brag about being an acomplished student still looking for a part time job to make ends meat.... honey!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Amica, I wouldn't brag about being an acomplished student still looking for a part time job to make ends meat.... honey!

MEAT = MEET

And there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with looking for a second job. I think it is admirable that someone actually wants to work harder to help themselves, rather than depending on others.

How DARE you suggest someone is less worthy simply because they need a second job. How judgemental and ignorant.

 

[Amica]

I value your opinion on the subject but I'm looking at it purely from an educational stand point on the format of the test....I could care less about the Exer Phys Part of it.

I have no reason to doubt your knowledge and I have never questioned it or directed anything personal at you. You chose to get personal and try to put me down which makes you look less of a person than you probably are. I never meant to upset you or insult you in anyway and if my post about this topic came off as insulting to you personally, than I owe you an apology.

As for the part time job...you try to go to school for eight years straight and pay off all your student loans. I'm done with my own schooling now and I still have a lot of part time jobs...I do PT, I coach, I teach two undergrad classes and I work full time at a hospital. I'm sorry if that makes me less of a person to you. I've never heard of someone wanting an extra job being a bad thing, but then again we don't seem to be on the same page anyway, so from here on out I hope we can just agree to disagree and move on.

 

[Skillz1988]

Amica, unlike your buddy "Daisy Girl" you seem to be a nice lady. I obviously admire your dedication to the exercise fields and I don't think you're less of a person just because you are looking for work. It's only that earlier you appeared to be getting a little cocky and arogant because you thought you were talking to some silly trainer.
Daisy Girl, you have serious issues. You don't have to defend Amica, she's a smart EDUCATED woman who doesn't need a forumguard. You have made over 6000 posts! It is time you move on and do something else. 6000 posts! That is scary!!!!!! What do you do? Sit at the computer all day, everyday and spit your opinions on everybody who has something to say. You couldn't possibly be that lonely. SELL YOUR COMPUTER. You're obsessed!!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Daisy Girl, you have serious issues. You don't have to defend Amica, she's a smart EDUCATED woman who doesn't need a forumguard. You have made over 6000 posts! It is time you move on and do something else. 6000 posts! That is scary!!!!!! What do you do? Sit at the computer all day, everyday and spit your opinions on everybody who has something to say. You couldn't possibly be that lonely. SELL YOUR COMPUTER. You're obsessed!!

lmao, you are beyond pathetic. Ouch, my feelings are so hurt, wah fucking wah *sniff sniff*

Have a bomb on me.

 

[Amica]

Daisy I'm sorry you had to get involved with this. I for one appreciate your help, advice and dedication to this site and members. Its sad to see others take you for granted.

You are one of the most knowledgable people on this forum and we'd all be lost if it wasn't for your 6000 posts- lol We love you on here and trully appreciate your time, and thank you for backing me up on here.

 

[DrAnnaCarter]

I found this website conducting a search and plan on visiting other posts but in the mean while I had to reply to this thread. I have a Masters degree in Exercise Science from Baylor University as well as an undergrad in the same field from San Diego State. I have seen and evaluated many personal trainer certification programs and I believe that there are only three programs that actually provide real, smart and challenging exams for personal trainers (ACSM, Cooper and Scirion institute) If you believe these exams are tough or too difficult, then you should not be practicing fitness assessment and development. I have taken over nine fitness exams and these three are exactly what a fitness exam should be like. Difficult, complicated and intense. I have never and will never hire an ACE or AFAA certified personal trainer because in my opinion, the fitness field has passed them by.

 

[frogleggs]

BUMP-Anymore else have any opinions regarding Scirion? I'm thinking of taking a part time job proctoring their exams and being an instructor. I'm having a hard time figuring out the exact job description,etc--Thanks!

 

[caligirl]

I have been researching them lately, and cant seem to find many positives, most are the same as this thread. I cant seem to even find anyone that knows who they are.