personal trainer certificate -- CANADA

[hookdup]

Hi ladies,

I've posted this question in another forum but haven't gotten any replies, and I know that you ladies have always pulled through for me with any questions I've had in the past so I'm hoping you'll help me out with this too!!!

I really want to get certified to become a personal trainer!
I don't have a kinesiology degree or diploma but will probably work towards that afterwards.

Anyway, I've done some research but it's so confusing. Which certification is best in Canada?
Is I.S.S.A available or even recognized here?
I've seen mixed opinions on ACE ...
I've also looked into CanFit Pro and CPTN (Canadian Personal Trainers Network)

Ladies ... I'm so excited about this and would really love to forge ahead so can you please respond if you know anything about this??

Did I say please?

Oh yeah ... THANKS!!!

 

[SteelWeaver]

ISSA is available anywhere - I live in Japan and I'm doing their distance learning course. I don't know about where it's recognised ... I really only signed up because I simply HAD to know more, and I figured if I was going to learn all that stuff, I may as well get a certification for it. Anyway - ISSA is okay as a basic primer, but I'm not sure I would recommmend them as such, unless you really know nothing about exercise physiology (I knew practically nothing, so it's been an excellent first resource).

If I had to do it over again, though, I'd probably go with the NSCA certification - it's cheaper, and more detailed. I'm reading the core text for that - Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning - to fill in the large gaps that the ISSA course has. It's more complex (do you have a biochem background?) but once you get through all the chemical acronyms, it's more explanatory, and better-referenced.

I think NSCA is recognised worldwide - check out their web-site.

Remember, though, that the reality of doing the certification is that it'll provide you, at most, with a good basic foundation - the rest is experience, and talking to people, and experimenting - I would venture to say that I've learnt more at these boards, or from other sources, in the gym and in my kitchen, than from the course itself. Having a variety of information sources, and a few good guinea pigs (yourself included) brings the most return learning-wise, IMO.

Good luck!

 

[Debu]

Too bad there isn't an "EliteFitness" cert.

 

[Gladiola]

Hey!

I'm certified with ACE as a Group Exercise Instructor. I don't know much about Canadian certs, but I do know they have some that are unique to Canada.

A great resource for connecting with other people employed in fitness is www.turnstep.com. It is geared towards aerobics instructors, but their discussion boards have a "Personal Training" board too. I know there are lots of Canadians on there & I know some do personal training & even have advanced degrees in physiology, etc. & have been working in fitness for decades- So I'm sure they'll be able to give you valuable info.

I have heard the agrument over & over again that the certs are dumb/worthless/you don't learn much, etc. Certainly there are knowledgeable, intelligent people that are great trainers but don't have a cert, and vice versa (clueless morons armed with certs). I think the same thing goes for Doctors... there are plenty out there with an MD, but no clue.

But the fact remains that you need something to get you in the door. No one is going to hire you just on your "word" that you know what you're doing (well, no one SHOULD) so it is worth persuing for that.

 

[hookdup]

Thanks Gladiola,
I went on the site and found some information.
I've narrowed it down to 2: ACE or CanFitPro, which is Canadian.
I know that ACE is probably the better of the two, but it will also cost me $800 Canadian or $640 U.S.

Most of the gyms I've called said they accept both certifications so I'm thinking that I will probly go with CanFitPro. If someone had expressed concern or a strong bias of one over the other, then I would buckle down and go with ACE, but since that hasn't happened, I guess I'll choose the cheaper one.

At least then I can see my options and upgrade if I decide to make this a career.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Gladiola]

You're quite welcome!

I'm excited you're persuing this - I'm studying for my ACE cert... so now I feel like there is someone making the same journey as me - yea!

 

[hookdup]

Originally posted by Gladiola feel like there is someone making the same journey as me - yea!

That's awesome!!!!

Did you buy your ACE manual from the website?
I'd still love to read one and I've heard you can get used ones out there.
I checked ebay but there weren't any there!

Anyway
CONGRATS! I'm with you all the way!

 

[hookdup]

Just thought of something ....
Gladiola,
Did you buy the whole Personal Trainer Home Study Program ...
I could probably afford some of the lower priced kits -- the one that comes with the Manual, Study Guide, and Sample Test is a lot more affordable...

Do you know if I really need the full $314 kit (I don't have a kinesiology background but I'm going to the library tonight and will begin studying kinesiology on my own).

Anyone else who has done ACE, did you use the full kit?

 

[Gladiola]

I ordered the manual from ACE & was lucky that my gym where I work participates in some program- so I got a discount.

I didn't go for the kit b/c I have my own methods of studying/ taking notes/ preparing for tests. Additionally, I have fabulous resources avaiable for info & to bounce ideas off of. Plus, I already had some knowledge (don't laugh!) from my Group Exercise Certification - we also had to learn the anatomy, kinesology & physiology.

I wouldn't think the kit is necessary. I think what might be more useful is a prep course, particularly if you have no existing knowledge base. I've read about it on Turnstep.com - you can use their search engine to read past posts. I've read the prep courses are very helpful - but more expensive of course.

 

[tripleV]

In Canada, definitely CAN FIT PRO>>>>>>>

 

[hookdup]

Triple V,

Really?

Why? Please give me your opinion on this. I'm trying to convince myself that CanFitPro is the best option .... PLEASE,

... don't leave me hanging!

 

[hookdup]

Gladiola,
I factored in the full kit, the ACE pre-exam workshop and the exam in my prices.
The exercise etc. prep course that everyone talks about on Turnstep.com is not available in Canada.

But if I don't need the full kit ... it may change things for me ...

And now Triple V is saying CanFitPro is better.
Hopefully once she answers some of my questions I can finally make a decision and be happy with it.
I'm tired of second guessing myself.

 

[tripleV]

Simply put, ACE doesnt have a course, CAN FIT PRO does......

 

[tripleV]

Oh ya, and depending on what gym you want to work at, they may have a preference as to which cert. In my area, all want CAN FIT PRO>>>>>

 

[tripleV]

Oh ya, and for insurance, some companies require that you be certified, and they ask questions like was there a course you needed to do, was there a test, a practical test...etc...can fit pro answers all of them, ace is jut an exam, no instruction or practical test

 

[hookdup]

Doesn't the ACE pre-exam course count as a course?

In any case,
you've made me feel better about CanFitPro.

I'll probably get further certified with ACE afterwards ... one step at a time!!!

K,
I'm going to call right now!

 

[tripleV]

Ya thats how i did it, Can fit pro then ACE. Good luck girl...

 

[Suzr]

NSCA CPT certification

I don't live in Canada, so I'm not sure what is recognized there, but the NSCA(National Strength and Conditioning Association) CPT cert is one of the best. I am certified as a personal trainer by ACE and NSCA. I can definitely say that the NSCA is a more advanced certification. I also like it because it has an emphasis on strength training. Of course the "gold standard" in the US is ACSM. I am hoping to get that cert this year and then I'm done with certifications.
ACE was the first cert I got. I did not get the whole study packet. Just the book and a study booklet, however I did have a science backround already. The benefit with ACE is it is well recognized by employers.
Good luck.

 

[Gladiola]

Hookdup,

Did you read any posts on turnstep.com by Caylynn, Anne, or Maribeth? The first 2 are Canadians, & I've been on that board over a year.. they are definitely knowledgable & experienced so I would trust their opinion on the certs there.

Maribeth is from Florida & has NSCA.. actually she was just published in the NSCA journal!!! I agree it seems to be a very high quality organization. I wanted to go with ACE primarily because it's well recognized & I had the impression it would be easier for me since I already took their Group X exam, I'd be familiar with the format, etc.

 

[hookdup]

Thanks ladies,

Gladiola, I actually e-mailed Marideth and she said ACE was pretty thorough.
I'm going with CanFitPro though ... for now anyways ...

I've called a few fitness clubs and they all said they would prefer certification and possibly a degree or diploma.
When I pressed them on which certification, they all said ACE or CanFitPro ... and not much difference between them.

Now, having said that, I'm thinking of maybe looking at a diploma in fitness ... Can you get a fitness diploma through at home study or distance studies, whatever they're called?

 

[Gladiola]

I actually e-mailed Maribeth

Too funny! I exchange e-mail with her quite a bit & consider her a friend. She is a REALLY cool chick whom I really admire.

"Can you get a fitness diploma through at home study or distance studies?"

Meaning a Bachelor's degree? I don't know. I just graduated with a Bachelors in business in May 99 - I don't want to go back for another degree in science unless I'll make fitness my full time career. I dont' think I'd want to train full time tho, although maybe physical therapy would interest me enough. I'm not ready for a complete change of career yet though, which is why I've personally ruled out working towards another degree for the time being. What I really need to do is get my Masters in Busines & focus on my primary career.. soon!

 

[Gem]

Simon Fraser University in Burnaby (BC) has Health and Fitness Certification that can be done by distance ed. Try looking at http://www.sfu.ca/cde/health.html

 

[NY Muscle]

not sure about canadians certs but one thing STAY AWAY from this one called COREFIT in Canada....absolute crap and taught by a 2 bit hick.

 

[hookdup]

Has anyone been certified by CanFitPro in Canada?

I'm studying the manual now and have by course next month.
I'm learning all the muscle names, but do I really need to know the origin and insertion of all the muscles.
I know it is good to know this stuff but will I be tested on it?

The test is multiple choice so ...