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Pt Certification
- Thread starter Nichole
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supreme
New member
Well I think they both have strengths and weaknesses.
My personal favorites - because they have proper assessment & program design protocols:
NASM perfromance enhancement specialst
NSCA certified strength & conditioning specialist
Chek corrective high performance exercise kinesiologist
USAW sports performance coach
My personal favorites - because they have proper assessment & program design protocols:
NASM perfromance enhancement specialst
NSCA certified strength & conditioning specialist
Chek corrective high performance exercise kinesiologist
USAW sports performance coach
supreme
New member
The CSCS is great (have it) but the NASM PES (have this also) is really good to for it teaches you how to properly evaluate the kinetic chain and fix imbalances. Which you need to do before you start a periodized program as outlined by the NSCA. The USAW teach you hands on all the Olympic & accessory lifts - you really can't learn this from a video, you need some to critique and modify your technique.
The CSCS, PES & USAW SPC all compliment each other and make for a very well ronded trainer/coach
ACE & the other bogus ones done on line are really pathetic. but since ACE is the most well known (NOT the best) many clubs take it.
In fact GOLDS released a statement last year that they entered into an agreement that all corporate GOLDS (not sure about the individual franchises) would only use ACE certified trainers (ROTFLMAO!) talk about dumb & dumber, the combined IQ of most ACE trainers & GOLDS members dosen't even enter into double digits (NOTE: I said most, not all GOLDS mebers, since some good bro's from this board workout at GOLDS)
S
The CSCS, PES & USAW SPC all compliment each other and make for a very well ronded trainer/coach
ACE & the other bogus ones done on line are really pathetic. but since ACE is the most well known (NOT the best) many clubs take it.
In fact GOLDS released a statement last year that they entered into an agreement that all corporate GOLDS (not sure about the individual franchises) would only use ACE certified trainers (ROTFLMAO!) talk about dumb & dumber, the combined IQ of most ACE trainers & GOLDS members dosen't even enter into double digits (NOTE: I said most, not all GOLDS mebers, since some good bro's from this board workout at GOLDS)
S
supreme
New member
Well ACSM is really good, like the CSCS you need a college degree (new rule for 2004). It has both written & practical exams and is tough to pass both.
The draw back for ACSM is that it is heavily clinically based, almost entirely devoted to CV fitness, lipid profile etc. some info on flexibility and a little on basic weight training. Great cert. for cardiac rehab, post- rehab etc. not for athletes. No kinetic chain eval, no periodization, etc. etc.
any gym will take ACSM just because of the difficulty level - you can't be an idiot and pass the test. It still doesn't mean you know proper resistance training eval., exercise form & program design.
AFAA is a good basic cert. because has both written & practical exam, basic info on form and program design. test is moderately hard. O.K place to begin.
CSCS study materials are on Video/ DVD & books - go to human kintecis website. Text book is excellent - written by top exercise scientists, the also have books on exercise form & technique, study guides & 2 practice exam books.
S
The draw back for ACSM is that it is heavily clinically based, almost entirely devoted to CV fitness, lipid profile etc. some info on flexibility and a little on basic weight training. Great cert. for cardiac rehab, post- rehab etc. not for athletes. No kinetic chain eval, no periodization, etc. etc.
any gym will take ACSM just because of the difficulty level - you can't be an idiot and pass the test. It still doesn't mean you know proper resistance training eval., exercise form & program design.
AFAA is a good basic cert. because has both written & practical exam, basic info on form and program design. test is moderately hard. O.K place to begin.
CSCS study materials are on Video/ DVD & books - go to human kintecis website. Text book is excellent - written by top exercise scientists, the also have books on exercise form & technique, study guides & 2 practice exam books.
S
go to cscs-lift.org. This will give you the home page. check the study material. buy the text book and the videos. this should get you started.
Before I took the test i read the text book and studied the vids, plus i had a degree in p.e with an emphasis in exercise in physiology. I also had a background in a&P. I passed with a 90%. go buy the materials, get practical parctice and study.
good luck, if you have any questions pm me
Before I took the test i read the text book and studied the vids, plus i had a degree in p.e with an emphasis in exercise in physiology. I also had a background in a&P. I passed with a 90%. go buy the materials, get practical parctice and study.
good luck, if you have any questions pm me
bignate73
New member
what a crock of crap!
i just reviewed the website, sure enough, no stipulations.
no offense to anyone personally, but here is the email NSCA just got from me:
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To whom it may concern:
Recently I was in a discussion with someone wishing to get involved in personal training and was recommended to take the CSCS because it was well recognized and respected. I mentioned that you needed to be degreed to sit for the exam, he stated that he was degreed…in an unrelated degree. After further research on both of NSCA’s websites there is no stipulation that the degree is fitness or a related field. There is also no way for someone within the field to petition and sit for the exam. (or is there?)
Personally I feel this is a slap in the face for a fitness professional already “in the trenches” so to speak. Having held a NSCA-CPT for almost 3 years, this requirement/restriction is degrading to those actively purchasing CEU’s and working in an experience based setting with no room for advancement to the CSCS level. On the other hand, a business major or basketweaving major can walk in and instantly take CSCS without question. If this truly is an elite certification, shouldn’t review into someone’s educational background be a bit more focused instead of just generalizing and say “holds a BA/BS from an accredited institution”? Though I respect the majority of CSCS I encounter, this leads me to believe that perhaps this level of credential is not all that elite. Having recently recertified through NSCA, I felt that my Continuing Education was a valid means to maintain the integrity of my CPT status. I consider CSCS to be the next step up and apparently someone without even basic knowledge can sit for said exam.
Is there a way to petition for CSCS? I am certain that placing a more specific restriction on the type of degree held or the amount of hours spent in a clinical/experience related setting would be a more reasonable means of maintaining integrity. Since this is an exam, it will still weed out those that are inept, but the caliber of CSCS you have would be a more motivated bunch vs. those seeking 4 letters behind their name so they can charge more per hour (yet still new to the game)
Thank you for your time
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i just reviewed the website, sure enough, no stipulations.
no offense to anyone personally, but here is the email NSCA just got from me:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To whom it may concern:
Recently I was in a discussion with someone wishing to get involved in personal training and was recommended to take the CSCS because it was well recognized and respected. I mentioned that you needed to be degreed to sit for the exam, he stated that he was degreed…in an unrelated degree. After further research on both of NSCA’s websites there is no stipulation that the degree is fitness or a related field. There is also no way for someone within the field to petition and sit for the exam. (or is there?)
Personally I feel this is a slap in the face for a fitness professional already “in the trenches” so to speak. Having held a NSCA-CPT for almost 3 years, this requirement/restriction is degrading to those actively purchasing CEU’s and working in an experience based setting with no room for advancement to the CSCS level. On the other hand, a business major or basketweaving major can walk in and instantly take CSCS without question. If this truly is an elite certification, shouldn’t review into someone’s educational background be a bit more focused instead of just generalizing and say “holds a BA/BS from an accredited institution”? Though I respect the majority of CSCS I encounter, this leads me to believe that perhaps this level of credential is not all that elite. Having recently recertified through NSCA, I felt that my Continuing Education was a valid means to maintain the integrity of my CPT status. I consider CSCS to be the next step up and apparently someone without even basic knowledge can sit for said exam.
Is there a way to petition for CSCS? I am certain that placing a more specific restriction on the type of degree held or the amount of hours spent in a clinical/experience related setting would be a more reasonable means of maintaining integrity. Since this is an exam, it will still weed out those that are inept, but the caliber of CSCS you have would be a more motivated bunch vs. those seeking 4 letters behind their name so they can charge more per hour (yet still new to the game)
Thank you for your time
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
bignate73
New member
wtlftr said:
yep just sent it. no real question, just bitching really.
not degreed, work along side those with degrees and can honestly say, im ashamed that they are. CSULB has one of the biggest kines. programs in the country and yet, those that i see turned out are not prepared to even handle personal training much less anything clinical.
i shutter to think what someone with no experience in the field has to go through, if this test is so difficult.
i used the CSCS book to prep for the CPT, didnt find it all that great of a guide.
Synpax
Well-known member
I guess them requiring you to have a degree in *something* is a demonstration of personal discipline. In truth, that's almost all a college degree is, as with the exception of hard science/engineering fields, the utility of what you learned in college all goes out the window when you step into a job.
Maybe it shouldn't be that way for CSCS, but that may just be there reasoning.
BTW - I still can't find the CSCS *book* anywhere - I just see online classes. Can someone please give me a hard link?
Seriously, I aced AP exams just by reading a briefing book; I bet I can do the same for this.
Maybe it shouldn't be that way for CSCS, but that may just be there reasoning.
BTW - I still can't find the CSCS *book* anywhere - I just see online classes. Can someone please give me a hard link?
Seriously, I aced AP exams just by reading a briefing book; I bet I can do the same for this.
bignate73
New member
supreme
New member
Once again I agree with Bignate:
Although Nate in defense of the NSCA , they are a business and need to make $$$. Prior to 2000? You DID need an exercise related degree. My undergrad school actually had a 2 credit practical class to prepare for the exam for the ex. phys & ATC students.
Thats why I like NASM PES, it requires a related degree & a new rule for ACSM HFI is a related degree.
I think it was prohibiting NSCA from making $$ - I agree they should have not changed!
Although formal degrees gave me an excellent background in theory. All the practical info has come from hands on experience, seminars, other certificartions, books & videos. i.e Poliquin, King, Tate, Colgan, Chek, Stone etc.
The degrees & high level certifications open doors, but once your in its resutls that count!
Synpax, you might score very high on the 1st half the exam - exercise science, the 2nd half is the harder part - watch the videos etc. The 2nd half is exercise technique, program design & pratcial application - focus on these!
S
Although Nate in defense of the NSCA , they are a business and need to make $$$. Prior to 2000? You DID need an exercise related degree. My undergrad school actually had a 2 credit practical class to prepare for the exam for the ex. phys & ATC students.
Thats why I like NASM PES, it requires a related degree & a new rule for ACSM HFI is a related degree.
I think it was prohibiting NSCA from making $$ - I agree they should have not changed!
Although formal degrees gave me an excellent background in theory. All the practical info has come from hands on experience, seminars, other certificartions, books & videos. i.e Poliquin, King, Tate, Colgan, Chek, Stone etc.
The degrees & high level certifications open doors, but once your in its resutls that count!
Synpax, you might score very high on the 1st half the exam - exercise science, the 2nd half is the harder part - watch the videos etc. The 2nd half is exercise technique, program design & pratcial application - focus on these!
S
bignate73
New member
supreme said:Although Nate in defense of the NSCA , they are a business and need to make $$$.
i agree totally, thats why i think it might be foolish to miss out on 2 good things:
1. more opportunity for $$$ with lessening the restrictions to those in the field already.
2. the chance to have more CSCS, from a pool of people they currently are appeasing with a simple CPT cert, but are more qualified than just taking someone with a degree (no offense to synpax)
at least NASM is having advanced certs for non degreed people. smart $$$wise.i was bent that i couldnt take PES, ive even talked to a few NASM guys and they just have to go with the policy, despite what you may know.
This is called a "highjacked thread" where you start one thing, and we talk about something else. Of course, I would take ISSA over ACE. If your search works, we've had a few discussions about this in the past. In my opinion the best, in order are:
ACSM
NSCA
ISSA
Most people will agree with the first two anyway.
ACSM
NSCA
ISSA
Most people will agree with the first two anyway.
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