Questions about being a personal trainer

[casualbb]

I actually just signed up for the NASM CTP certification today. The main factors in my choosing this one were:

1. Competetive Cost
2. Reasonably well-respected
3. Here's the kicker: you can take the test ONLINE! You don't have to drag your ass to a testing site. This was also very important to me, as I plan to have it be a summer job and can't wait until most others test in august.

Here's a website I found unbelievably helpful, it a bunch of major certifications, the prerequisites, the costs, the testing method, etc. Stumbled across it today when I was weighing various certs:

http://www.ideafitmember.com/images/PTCertification2.pdf

Enjoy.

-casual

 

[pwr_machine]

CAN someone post links for information on gettin some of these certs, im 23, and like LEE am really interested in being a personal training.
also, how necessary is college. without it will you never excel in pay like a trainer with a degree. or is pay more based on performance.

College isn't absolutely necessary to be a good trainer. However, a degree in an exercise-related field would boost your credentials and add much knowledge. Some certifications, such as NSCA's that was mentioned, require a 4 year degree. If you take a look at most job advertisements these days, just about all of them are asking for an ACSM or NSCA certification.

 

[KINGKONG6900]

Im checkin out what it would take to get a degree, but with how my life is these days, i own my own company, college would be difficult. a 4 year degree might take me 6-8 years. i would only be able to go part time, i got bills, and cant just drop everything.

The way i see it, the certs might be a better route, but those 2 listed up there both require 4 year degree's.

any nationaly respected ones that dont require a degree.

 

[bignate73]

Im checkin out what it would take to get a degree, but with how my life is these days, i own my own company, college would be difficult. a 4 year degree might take me 6-8 years. i would only be able to go part time, i got bills, and cant just drop everything.

The way i see it, the certs might be a better route, but those 2 listed up there both require 4 year degree's.

any nationaly respected ones that dont require a degree.

NASM-CPT
NSCA-CPT
ISSA-CFT

top 3 without a degree.

 

[KINGKONG6900]

Out of all the certs listed, the ISSA is the only one you can get with no college. Would it be a good start, could i start a career off that one.

 

[pwr_machine]

The American Council on Exercise offers a certification that may have more professional weight than ISSA.

 

[KINGKONG6900]

im checkin out the ACE also.

 

[bignate73]

The American Council on Exercise offers a certification that may have more professional weight than ISSA.

not likely, ACE is scoffed at by most personal trainers. its dubbed as the "how not to get sued" certification.

 

[bignate73]

Out of all the certs listed, the ISSA is the only one you can get with no college. Would it be a good start, could i start a career off that one.

not true also. all of the certs i listed are the top certs, and require no college. if you take their advanced certifications/specializations, then you may be required to be degreed, but all have a basic personal trainer cert (no college required) that is required before the advanced specializations.

 

[pwr_machine]

not likely, ACE is scoffed at by most personal trainers. its dubbed as the "how not to get sued" certification.

Why do we seek certification? LIABILITY is definately at the top of the list. Bottom line, do the research and find one that suits your career goals.