Questions about being a personal trainer

[casualbb]

ISSA is the only one you can get with no college.

The three Nate listed don't require any college. I'm doing NASM now and it doesn't require ANYTHING. I mean you don't even have to be 18 or know CPR, which is the basic stuff the non-college ones require. But it makes up for it with very difficult and detailed subject matter. I mean, I've taken a lot of basic psychology and physiology as part of my pre-med classes and I'd say 50% of the physiology section is news to me. It's cool to finally learn this stuff though.

-casual

 

[bignate73]

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.

to each his own. go for it. its not an expensive cert, buy the book and take the test ~$200. as far as being comprehensive and teaching you something, its fair at best. all the above mentioned certs cover readiness questionaires and physician release, so there is no need to look for a "cant catch me" cert specifically, especially one that is so weak in the actual "how to be a trainer" section.

issa is complete, in that, it sets you up to be an effective trainer AND businessperson. there is a seperate book on "fiscal fitness" which details some good steps in setting up and running your private business. issa has quite a panel of diverse individuals overseeing all the course material, and the testing is no cake walk, and requires alot of time.

nsca was pretty tough, but not extremely. the testing was challenging. next step when degreed is the respected CSCS cert, after getting the CPT.

nasm was very comprehensive in assessments, corrective exercise, diverse exercise programming, etc. it touches upon some techniques used in rehab situations that can be applied to help even healthy clients. most useful IMO for the time spent and money. they have a lot of room for specialization (as does ISSA).

if someone is looking to get into business as a trainer, they would do well to start out in a corporate fitness facility to learn the "ropes'. you can have all the theoretical know-how but without real world encounters with client difficulties, it will be a hard road to travel if just jumping into being an independent contractor and marketing one's self.

my $.02 at least.

 

[pwr_machine]

Glad I hold the respected CSCS cert.

 

[casualbb]

nasm was very comprehensive in assessments, corrective exercise, diverse exercise programming, etc. it touches upon some techniques used in rehab situations that can be applied to help even healthy clients. most useful IMO for the time spent and money. they have a lot of room for specialization (as does ISSA).

I'm studying the NASM section now on Optimum Performance Training (tm), and it seems they place a huge emphasis on neural training. Stuff like stability ball exercises, unsupported situations to promote proprioception. Do you find this valuable with your client?

I'm trying to fast-forward to how I'll actually apply the info and I can forsee spending the hour doing some neural training but also a lot of straight weight training, because I worry that people want results more tangible than just "I feel more stable when I play soccer." Does that seem like an okay balance?

-casual

 

[bignate73]

I'm studying the NASM section now on Optimum Performance Training (tm), and it seems they place a huge emphasis on neural training. Stuff like stability ball exercises, unsupported situations to promote proprioreception. Do you find this valuable with your client?

I'm trying to fast-forward to how I'll actually apply the info and I can forsee spending the hour doing some neural training but also a lot of straight weight training, because I worry that people want results more tangible than just "I feel more stable when I play soccer." Does that seem like an okay balance?

-casual

thats exactly what i do. i balance it. i give them something new to try with a ball or balance disc, but not too much. i dont like to get "new agey" or anything with my training. i may use the ball for basic exercises, a bit of core stability work or some balance. basically most of my clients want to sweat, be challenged etc. throwing them something that is difficult (neural stuff) gives them a challenge, but by no means do i follow the OPT model with regards to progression. i pick and choose. when i went to NASM's seminar, they taught the OPT model, but mentioned that you could use different portions of each for particular bodyparts to keep things ever changing. they dont leave you exclusively to going from phase to phase, but more using the different phases as means of variety and continual challenge. i like using SET stuff for people just because its supersetting heavy stable motions with lighter coordination stuff. trust me.....many of my clients NEED coordination. hehehe. when you get into some of the special phases it gets pretty intense, alot of techniques using plyometrics and heavy weights. fun stuff basically.

all in all i love the certification from a biomechanics standpoint. by teaching so much about postural assessing and corrective stretching, it really helps you see where form breaks down and why.

if you get a chance, go to the seminar. very good hands on training. you go through a workout with a piece of tubing....thats it. and you work pretty damn hard. there was a pretty big guy, bb'er when i went, who was worked on the strength portion. it was kindof funny actually.

 

[casualbb]

Haha thanks dude. I picked the online study option just cause I'm poor I'll definitely check out the seminar though, because hand-on experience is exactly what I DON'T have.

trust me.....many of my clients NEED coordination

lol, I can imagine

thanks again

-casual

 

[Nonerz]

I'm studying the NASM section now on Optimum Performance Training (tm), and it seems they place a huge emphasis on neural training. Stuff like stability ball exercises, unsupported situations to promote proprioception. Do you find this valuable with your client?

I'm trying to fast-forward to how I'll actually apply the info and I can forsee spending the hour doing some neural training but also a lot of straight weight training, because I worry that people want results more tangible than just "I feel more stable when I play soccer." Does that seem like an okay balance?

-casual

The trainer that I had (before I met Nate) put me through a bunch of core stability training, when what I really wanted was to learn proper form doing the basics and a good program to do when I wasn't training with him...

The core stuff is good, but too much of it wasn't exactly what I was looking for so I think a good balance is best.

 

[Hahnb]

I'd like to think I could pass one with minimal studying, but it became clear that they were out to line their pockets, mainly.-casual

Congradulations, you just summed up the idea behind every business in the world, as if it was a mystery. Becoming a PT isn't a scam, you just have to find your niche.

 

[northfloridatrainer]

That's absolutely right. There are as many variations on skill level and specific competencies out there in the personal training circles as there are personal trainers!

If you want to become a personal trainer, you should decide just who it is that you want to train, WHY you want to train them, and then go after the education and opportunities that will get you to your goal.

Personally, I'm ISSA Certified, so I favor them, but there are other goods ones as well.

Congradulations, you just summed up the idea behind every business in the world, as if it was a mystery. Becoming a PT isn't a scam, you just have to find your niche.