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PHOENIX, Ariz. – The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), the global leader in personal training certification, acquired The Functional Aging Institute (FAI) to provide preeminent education toward training an aging clientele around the world.
The FAI is the primary source for fitness trainers to obtain education around training mature clients using current and forward-thinking techniques and strategies. FAI is the first certification specifically for better aging.
“The Baby Boom generation has defined and driven exercise trends from Running in the 70s, to Aerobics in the 80s, to Pickleball today. Now, fitness enthusiasts and professionals will have access to evidenced-based training programming to help mature audiences move and function at their best,” said Andrew Wyant, ISSA’s CEO.
The core of the FAI approach is the Functional Aging Training Model (FATM) which is built around the widely recognized theory of function called the Modified Disablement Model (used by the World Health Organization). Combined with current scientific evidence and 20+ years of application among adults of all abilities, it’s a proven, safe and effective training methodology.
The founders of FAI, Dr. Cody Sipe and Dr. Dan Ritchie will remain with the FAI and will expand their focus to bring functional aging programs to a broader audience. “We think training older clients is the most challenging, interesting and satisfying opportunity for any fitness professional. Our unique, evidence-based approach to exercise helps improve functional outcomes with mature clients,” said Dr. Ritchie, FAI’s President.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with ISSA and expand the reach of FAI. Our goal is to train more fitness professionals with practical and useful tools, education and certification to provide the best fitness programs for their mature clients,” said Dr Sipe.
About the International Sports Sciences Association
The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) is a global leader in the personal training certification industry. For more than 30 years, ISSA has been committed to providing innovative and science-based fitness education that creates a pathway for people to pursue their passion. In addition to their Personal Training Certification, ISSA offers 24 fitness specializations, including senior fitness, exercise therapy, and corrective exercise. To date, ISSA has educated more than 400,000 students across 174 countries, all while creating additional opportunities to promote a healthier world: www.ISSAonline.com.
About the Functional Aging Institute
The Functional Aging Institute was founded in 2013 by leading experts Dr. Dan Ritchie and Dr. Cody Sipe. For over twenty years, Dan and Cody have been at the forefront of developing innovative, effective, evidence-based training programs for older clients. They have shared their unique philosophies, techniques, and insights with tens of thousands of trainers around the world for fifteen years.