personal trainer certifications

[bandwagon]

been doing some research on PT certs. i am not a PT, but may want to do it in the future, so i am going to get certified just for the overall knowledge it will help me gain regardless.

i am either going to go for the NASM or the ISSA. which do you think is better? if i decide to do personal training, i'd go for the NSCA-CSCS or ACSM next, but (from the feedback i've been getting) those require more of a scientific background than i have right now.

from what i've been finding so far, NASM seems to be more respected than ISSA, but ISSA seems to offer more support before and after getting certified.

for those of you who know what all these crazy acronyms are, please help.

thanks

 

[faller]

I can speak for only ISSA (it's the only one I have). IMO it is pretty good, and pretty well recongized. Are you looking for a full course or just an exam? ISSA is a full course. There should be at least two other threads on this somewhere if you can dig them up.

 

[bandwagon]

full course.. which both NASM and ISSA are.

if anyone knows the strong and/or weakpoints of both courses, i'd really like to know.

 

[bignate73]

NASM is going to talk about assessment, postural correction and core stability. decent emphasis on nutrition. alot on stretching.

ISSA is going to cover nutrition as well. ISSA uses alot of periodization and uses the rep maximum (RM) alot to indicate intensity.

both are good. just different. if you dont know alot about general training, i would go to ISSA. NASM doesnt really talk about basic training, more about dealing with different issues clients will have when starting out etc. its a more "rehab" type cert.

 

[bandwagon]

will probably for for ISSA then to build more of a foundational understanding. thanks!

 

[OfimNedu]

NASM is far superior to ISSA. ACSM is by far the best in the field. The NSCA is also very good and NASM is very good. NASM is very unique, discusses compensation packages and distortions and how to correct them by stretching certain muscles, and strengthening others. It also goes over flexibility in depth including SMR which is pretty cool. If you just want general knowledge ACE and AFAA are very widely recognized. The company I work for doesn't even recognize ISSA. If you're just starting out ACE is a good place to start.

I saw that you're interested in a CSCS or ACSM. ACSM is very clinical and some equate it almost to a degree in the field. Either way it is def. recognized as tops in the field. NASM also offers a PES (Performance Enhancement Specialist), which is similar to a CSCS but if you don't have a degree in the field you have to petition them for special consideration. Hope that helps you out a bit to get you started.

 

[bandwagon]

i want a cert that will give me solid foundational knowledge (in practical aspects of PT and basic anatomy/phsysiology), but is also fairly reputable and practical in case i do decide to be a trainer. i'm willing to study longer for a cert that's harder to obtain, but need the curriculum not to skip too many basics.

would NASM be palatable enough for someone who is a smart cookie, but new to the field?

 

[bignate73]

nasm would be alright, but if you are completely new, i would do ISSA. it will cover pretty much everything. once you are comfortable, NASM is icing on the cake.

 

[casualbb]

The whole NASM take on correcting postural problems is really important and can't be found anywhere else. If I had known that stuff when I started lifting my right leg wouldn't be such a mess now.

That being said though, they do assume you already know a good deal about lifting... I'd agree with nate. Not to be passed over, but either have a lot of basic knowledge or get another more basic cert first.

 

[IronLion]

if you are looking for a more specialized cert, like i was, the ISSA offers about ten specialized courses...I was not the least bit interested in becoming a pt though, I prefer to work with athletes so i did the sports conditioning certification

 

[OfimNedu]

That's why I suggested ACE. It gives a nice overview and it is much more widely recognized than ISSA. Honestly, two different companies (large in the industry) did not recognize ISSA as a national cert. ACE is widely recognized, gives a nice general approach with some detail, and is a great building block. You can always get NASM, ACSM, NSCA, a CSCS or PES, or whatever down the road. NASM and ACSM also have many speciality certs. If you don't have a degree in the field you can get a Sports Fitness Specialist from NASM, they also have integrated flexibility programs, a masters programs, and much more. Check out their webiste.

 

[IronLion]

What large companies don't recognize issa?

 

[OfimNedu]

What large companies don't recognize issa?

Town Sports International. Which has 131 clubs on the East Coast including NY, Boston, Philly, and DC.

 

[faller]

I think I heard somewhere that ACE was the most recongized. I def wouldn't say it's the best though. ISSA does offer a lot of support after you finish. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it though, if you end up getting one from ACSM or NSCA, that will be that much more important.

 

[bignate73]

Town Sports International. Which has 131 clubs on the East Coast including NY, Boston, Philly, and DC.

24 hour fitness recognized ISSA. i usually see ISSA plastered all over at fitness expos as well.

btw, look for a strong 24 hour fitness presence on the east coast within the next 6-12 months.

 

[Pumped650]

A B.S. is required to qualify to sit in on the exam for the NSCA-CSCS. I also believe that is the same for the ACSM. I think that any Cert from ACE, NSCA, NASM are recognized by every Health Club in america. I know that the company i work for won't reimburse for any certifications other then the ones i have listed.
I am a certified NESTA-CPT. I got this to get my foot in the door and I am currently working on my NSCA-CPT and an working towards and Exercise Physiology Degree.

 

[OfimNedu]

A B.S. is required to qualify to sit in on the exam for the NSCA-CSCS. I also believe that is the same for the ACSM. I think that any Cert from ACE, NSCA, NASM are recognized by every Health Club in america. I know that the company i work for won't reimburse for any certifications other then the ones i have listed.
I am a certified NESTA-CPT. I got this to get my foot in the door and I am currently working on my NSCA-CPT and an working towards and Exercise Physiology Degree.

That is correct except for that I believe you can become ACSM CPT without a BS. I'm not positive on that though. I've never heard of any CPT certification requiring a degree though. An Exercise Phys degree combined with a NSCA CPT is a very strong combination. Certification are great knowledge and can look great on paper but it's only half of being a good trainer. Don't get me wrong. I'd take an ACSM certified trainer over no cert. any day. But there are other factors involved. I've seen geniuses with every certification under the sun fail as trainers.

You do have to have a degree to sit for the CSCS exam however you can get a PES which is NASM's equivalent and you can petition them to sit without a degree if you have multiple certifications and a lot of experience in the field or other qualifications. Also, NASM offers a SFS (Sports Fitness Specialist) I believe it is which is like a CSCS or PES but more designed for a gym setting and doesn't require a degree or a degree in the field.

 

[bandwagon]

thanks

thanks for all the great info.. i'm going to do the NASM if i can ensure that i have more than 120 days before i have to take the exam. their site says you have that much time after enrolling before you are required to take the exam. otherwise, i will do the ISSA first.

 

[casualbb]

I studied 5 hours a day for like 10 days and got 95% on the test -- it can be done very quickly if you have a lot of free time. Don't freak about about 120 days... even studying part time you could get it in a month easy.

 

[Atomic Punk]

If you:

1. Look the part(are in shape).

2. Can deal with people.

&

3. Like to help others.

then a Certification is worthless in my opinion. I just went today to a new gym that opened in my area. I walked in and immediately got an interview. Dude asked about it, and I said that I was NSCA, but he had no clue who they were. NSCA is probably the second most recognizable certification you can get, and this dude had no idea. Just goes to show you, that even the good certs are pretty much a joke. I got a second interview tomorrow with the other partner in the company, but I GUARANTEE YOU that even if I didn't have a certification, that my build, as well as my overwhelming personality will win them over and get me in the door. Those two traits imo(build & personality--in that order) are what will get you in ANY door WAY WAY before ANY certification bro. What you do after that is up to you! And I have YET to have even ONE client ask if I were certified either. If they did, I'd just lie. Something to think about.

 

[roywrt]

The problem is not getting certified. The problem is getting the experience to really do the job and help clients. I am studying to become a senior fitness instructor and senior fitness personal trainer. I am very lucky to be able to work with one of the best trainers in this field. Without hands on training from a real expert certifcations mean nothing.

full course.. which both NASM and ISSA are.

if anyone knows the strong and/or weakpoints of both courses, i'd really like to know.

 

[cptfreddie]

I recommend NASM if you are looking to work in a gym but like the others have said this doesn't give you any type of specialty if you want that go for ISSA like mentioned above. Also if you don't have much of a scientific background make sure you really take in all your course has to offer focus on learning rather than just passing the test like some do.

 

[SpyWizard]

The problem is not getting certified. The problem is getting the experience to really do the job and help clients. I am studying to become a senior fitness instructor and senior fitness personal trainer. I am very lucky to be able to work with one of the best trainers in this field. Without hands on training from a real expert certifcations mean nothing.

So much truth in that..

NFPT recognized internationally, so it's not an issue..

It will let you get started quickly and cheaply... Continuing Education (CE) are free and on line..

then you can do some other certifications as you want to specialize..

Oh crap another old thread....