Advice on Personal Training Certification

[strong island]

Have done a search and I never knew how many organizations there were. Help me out with this. So far this is what I have learned ...please correct me if I am wrong.

ACSM: need degree(I don't have a degree in the field)
NSCA: Better for team training
ISSA: need degree?
NFPT: ?
ISSA: This one sound great. Feel I might learn from this one.
ACE: heard the test is a joke, but its nationally recognized and cheap.
NASM: ?

Is ISSA nationally recognized? I am leaning towards this one.

I am thinking about training a few hours a day for extra cash.

*posted on anabolic board cause more members frequent here.*

 

[TheStromba]

Bump-itty Bump

 

[Tombstonealley]

My ranking when I hire:
#1 Practical knowledge
#2 Experience
#3 Personality
#4 Education
#5 Certification
#6 References

As far a Certifications go:
#1 ASCM-most in depth exam
#2 NSCA-CSCS-very good exam
#3 ACE-good for general fitness-but most importantly highly recognizable.
#4 ALL other NATIONAL Certifications
#5 Local Certifications

 

[PerfectRep]

I have NASM and in my experience most people in the business hold it in higher regard than ACE, but I'd rank them

1. ACSM
2. NASM
3. NSCA
4. ACE

I don't think you can really put CSCS in that grouping because it isn't actually specific to personal training per se, but it is also VERY good.

 

[strong island]

Ok...ACSM says that you need a degree in a health field.

But NSCA, CSCS says "To be eligible to take the exam, you must hold a BA/BS degree, be enrolled as a college senior at an accredited college or university, or hold a degree in chiropractic medicine, and be CPR certified."

Now it doesn't say health field. I have a BS in Business.

Did they fail to mention that it should be a degree in health or do they just want ANY degree???

Otherwise I'll just go ACE.

 

[HighIntensity]

200 bucks for aces and youll get any PT job

degree gets you in the door but other factors get you the job

 

[c3bodybuilding]

I would say go for the ISSA. They require you to have a cpr certification, but thats no big deal. The ISSA has different 'levels'. You can gain more credentials if you ever go to college. It's a nice option. Also they have a free seminar in every big city where you have the option to take the test there. The books are first rate, and lot's of information. I've seen test where they only want you to take pics of yourself performing an exercise, mail them in, and you got a degree. Not there, the test is long, and hard at times, but it's worth it in the end. I would say it's one of the better programs out there, and one of the most respected. Good luck in whatever choice you decide to make. - C3

 

[strong island]

NASM sounds better than ACE.

I don't just want a piece of paper. I would like the studying to benefit me. I would like to learn.

From what I have read ACE is garbage. Their methodology is "old school."

Now ISSA sounds tough BUT I feel I will learn a lot.

BUT does ISSA get respect.

 

[Mike P.T.]

From what I have read ACE is garbage. Their methodology is "old school."

Now ISSA sounds tough BUT I feel I will learn a lot.

BUT does ISSA get respect.

I wouldn't say garbage but I agree with you on the "old school" aspect of it. One of my co-workers when I worked at Bally's who was certified with ACE showed me the book and everything and I thought it's good for overall basic knowledge but too "old school." Science never stands still and new discoveries are made all the time. This is where I.S.S.A. fits in. They are based on updated techniques and as C3 said you have different levels on which to move up with. They also have different courses afterwards in which you can study more specifially such as Performance Nutrition and Fitness Therapy to name a few. You won't be dissapointed with them. Oh and even though they have not been around as long as ACE, yes, they definately do get respect.

 

[HighIntensity]

fellas fellas

while yes there is substancial merit in a program that educates you on the very latest in fitness science and kinetics. And as a PT it is essential to have a good background in not only weight training, but correct stretching tech, rehab info, cardio knowledge ect. Because training a 19-22 year old who wants to get big is easy but training a 55 year old women with an athric hip and free off knee surgey takes a true education...

that being said, I feel alot of training is hands on job experince supplemented with updated seminars...this is how I become a good PT and yes I have an aces degree, why shell out big bucks when you can learn by educateing yourself.

 

[Iwillbe]

You buy your certificates! They do everything for you to NOT fail. ACSM and CSCS are probably the only two that do not hand feed you the test answers.

I have a BS degree in health and fitness and certified through AFAA, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.

Strong Island- what do you want to do w/ your certification??
Working at a local gym, part-time, ACE will be fine. Strength and conditioning athletes...you should have CSCS or ACSM. Open your own business....any local certifaction will do.

Good Luck

 

[benrock]

i have issa and ifpa

issa - very hard test and very good cert. !!!

ifpa - too easy and not that popular!!!

go with the issa and ace , get more then 1 they like that

 

[onemind]

NFPT is what I have and I think its best all around. No degree needed but test is very hard and respected. The certification will give you respect and you will have all you need to train whatever you want.

 

[me2dammit]

???

Why is it most personal trainers I see are either 150 soaking wet or fat? I mean if they are supposed to be in fitness should they be fit?

I guess the ones that are in shape are making such a killing and charging so much they only have to work a few hours.

I have been going to my current gym for 8 years now and they have had personal trainers come and go, yet only maybe 1 had a decent physique.

They should make you pass mental and physical requirements to be certified.

 

[vitor97]

Hmm

Dave Polumbo's SMART training program sounds real good. He talks about the current trends in weight loss and exercise, which alot of these programs dont. I think ACE Is your best bet because it is known all over. ANd cheap, ISSA is crap.

 

[NY Muscle]

ACSM is the best IMHO as well as CSCS but im pretty sure you do NOT need a degree for ACSM but I could be wrong.

ACE is a joke, bottom line but is what most of the gyms and people who want to be trained recognize.

Personally I have ISSA..the ONLY reason I ever got certified (i should have saved money and got the shitty ACE as ISSA test was hard and ACE is a joke multiple choice) is for INSURANCE purposes only..i didnt learn ANYTHING that I didnt already know, so if you have many years of experience and knowlegde under your belt just pick any certification and then you can get insurance threw them.

 

[robsatx]

Strong - Make sure you are good!

Strong - I see so many "trainers" that do not know jack about lifting, diet or age. Make sure that you know exactly what you are doing before you start. I am sure you will make a good trainer. But you do not want good you want GREAT. Don't be a wash out trainer that does it for the money only. If you help others get what they want, they will help you get what you want. Change your ideas and it will change your life. Instead of doing it for money - do it for the client and they will send you more business than you can handle.

Focus on being the best trainer in your gym. Show people results and you will be able to name your price.

 

[strong island]

Thanks for all the advice....looks like ACSM/CSCS are the most respected but you need a degree in health OR 900 hours of experience. I don't what you have to show them to show 900 hours...I think I'll go with ISSA and eventually ACE if I feel I need it. I think I can learn a thing or two from studying for the ISSA test. Plus I repect Hatfield, Platz, Pearl etc.

What is a good CPR course in NY? What do they cost?

I was on a few websites(red cross,first aid etc) and they have different types of CPR courses and don't name prices.

 

[benrock]

strong , i got my cpr cert. at the YMCA , just dont bend over to tie your laces LOL!!!