FAQ - About ACSM

• Is ACSM a university? How do I apply?

  ACSM isn‘t what comes to mind when you think of a traditional college. We are a worldwide membership organization (like the college of surgeons) for more than 20,000 professionals in the sports medicine and exercise science fields. We don‘t have a campus or student body, and you can‘t get a degree from ACSM. Rather, we‘re a college in the sense that our members and certified professionals are a group of professionals who share a common purpose – the purpose of advancing health through science, education and medicine.

• I‘d like to earn a degree in sports medicine or exercise science. What programs do you recommend?

  There are many outstanding sports medicine and exercise science programs offered worldwide. To help you find a good fit, ACSM offers an online Degree Guide where you can search for programs throughout the U.S.

• Who are members of ACSM?

  Our membership can be broken down into four primary categories. As of December 2010, our membership was:

  • 31% Basic and Applied Science (generally researchers with Ph.D.s)
  • 36% Alliance (mostly health and fitness professionals, like personal trainers or exercise physiologists)
  • 19% Medicine (mostly M.D.s)
  • 14% Education and Allied Health (can range from a professor at a college to a public health professional

• How can I get involved with ACSM?

  There are a few volunteer opportunities listed on the ACSM website at www.acsm.org/vounteer. Additionally, you could join one of ACSM‘s Interest Groups. Interest Groups were formed to provide an additional forum for focused discussion, activity, debate and both formal and informal networking among members with similar interests in selected areas. To view a list of interest groups visit www.acsm.org/interest_groups.

• Can I post a job on your website?

  Absolutely! You can broadly reach ACSM members, qualified candidates for your position, by posting an employment ad on the ACSM website. To do so, please contact Taron Butler at Wolters Kluwer and mention that you‘d like to post an ad on the ACSM website. You can reach Taron at 800-645-3658 or taron.butler@wolterskluwer.com. 

• Who is the president of ACSM?

  Barbara Ainsworth, Ph.D., M.P.H., FACSM (Arizona State University) is the 2011-12 president of ACSM.

• I run a fitness facility.  Do you have guidelines on temperature, staffing, size of a room?

  Yes! ACSM‘s Health & Fitness Facility Standards and Guidelines will tell you all you need to know to run your facility. From proper temperature to safety precautions, this book will help you ensure your facility meets ACSM standards. Purchase the book online.

• I‘m considering a career in sports medicine or exercise science? How much can I expect to make?

  The U.S. Department of Labor‘s Bureau of Labor Statistics department can give you wage estimates for many different professions. Visit their Occupational Employment Statistics page from May 2009 for wage estimates in your field.

• Can I rent your membership list?

  ACSM's list rental is managed through MGI Lists. Tiffanie Johnson is our sales representative. Tiffanie can be reached at 703-706-0309 or via e-mail at  tdjohnson@mgilists.com. They also have a website at www.mgilists.com.  Tiffanie can provide list rental agreements and pricing.

• How do I notify ACSM of a member's passing?

  ACSM wishes to acknowledge deceased members in our e-news magazine: Sports Medicine Bulletin. If you are aware of the passing of an ACSM member, please email the ACSM Membership and Chapter Services Department or send notification by mail to 401 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202. Please be sure to include the member's full name and date of death.