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Questions about being a personal trainer
- Thread starter Lee
- Start date
gettinlarger
New member
Talk to C-Ditty. I think he's a PT. Or at least he's unofficially doing it. Either way, I think he could help you out.
T-Rage
New member
Yeah, I've considered this. There are a couple of top certifications for PT. One good one is from NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) and there are a few more top certs. For most PT's you need a high school diploma and typically current CPR certification. Some certs such as the NSCA certified strength trainer (more difficult than PT) requires some level of college education before you can take the test.
Just becareful because anyone could create a certification and charge you money to take the test but it might not be recognized as a decent cert.
Check out this guy's website for more info.
www.underdogfitness.com
Just becareful because anyone could create a certification and charge you money to take the test but it might not be recognized as a decent cert.
Check out this guy's website for more info.
www.underdogfitness.com
MsBeverlyHills
New member
Lee said:
Qualifications:
major attitude. huge ego, flexes in front of mirrors when your client isant looking & had sex w/ most babes at the gym
SofaGeorge
New member
I train a bunch of the local kids at the gym... sort of got drafted into it by accident. Because of this I see and come to know the "real" trainers at the gym. Their qualifications:
1. Ignorance
2. Lack of experience
3. Little practical understanding of weightlifting exercise or proper form
4. A willingness to lie to or mislead clients
5. poor physical condition
6. Little or no career ambition
You stand the chance of being a shining light among them. You already know far more than the trainers at my gym.
1. Ignorance
2. Lack of experience
3. Little practical understanding of weightlifting exercise or proper form
4. A willingness to lie to or mislead clients
5. poor physical condition
6. Little or no career ambition
You stand the chance of being a shining light among them.
You already know far more than the trainers at my gym.pwr_machine
New member
I'm biased towards the NSCA because I am CSCS certified. Most importantly, find an organization that's nationally accredited or you'll be wasting alot of money.
bignate73
New member
Re: Re: Questions about being a personal trainer
i take offense to that.... ive had sex with only one babe from the gym!
heh.
MsBeverlyHills said:
Qualifications:
major attitude. huge ego, flexes in front of mirrors when your client isant looking & had sex w/ most babes at the gym
i take offense to that.... ive had sex with only one babe from the gym!
heh.
Lee
New member
Just because most PTs are idiots doesnt mean Ill turn into one if i become a PT. From what I can tell(ie. the way the trainers train themselves and train other)in my gym im much more experienced and smarter then all the PTs. people ask me for advice on form and training splits constantly. I think i have a decent shot at being a good PT, i just need to learn more about the qualifications.
killa in manila
New member
check out issa
MsBeverlyHills
New member
Lee said:
Lee-- I was only joking!!! Most PTs arent idiots-- some have big egos mainly cause theyre very popular, charge a fortune & can be real choosy who they train.
Im sure youll be great-- just dont train chicks from Beverly HIlls.. HAHA!!
bignate73
New member
hate to rain on the parade but form and exercise splits dont make a good trainer. they are the bare minimum!
at the least you had better be able to explain an exercise in more than 4 ways. setting up a training split or designing a program can be more than just assigning bodyparts to certain days.
you have to be able to work with people, around problems, or through difficulties. you are more than a rep counter, but a mentor, an example and an ear to hear and a shoulder to lean on. your clients see you as the epitome of fitness, which is why trainers get a bad rap sometimes from being out of shape and living subpar lifestyles. sorry to sound like a tony robbins seminar, but being a trainer (a responsible, good one) isnt easy. you have physical, mental and emotional roadblocks everywhere you look with clients. there is no perfect client and it can be frustrating. for example, you can have the best laid out program or diet that will work wonders....then you have to get a client to adhere to it. or you can have a client flat out lying to you and telling you they are doing everything right. thats the challenge and the reward of being a trainer who gets results. you are constantly troubleshooting and problem solving. this is why you get paid the rate you charge. because a good trainer is worth it.
soap box rant over. hehe. good luck.
beverly hills, southgate, compton, malibu, riverside, pomona......bring em all on! i break bodies! hehehe.
at the least you had better be able to explain an exercise in more than 4 ways. setting up a training split or designing a program can be more than just assigning bodyparts to certain days.
you have to be able to work with people, around problems, or through difficulties. you are more than a rep counter, but a mentor, an example and an ear to hear and a shoulder to lean on. your clients see you as the epitome of fitness, which is why trainers get a bad rap sometimes from being out of shape and living subpar lifestyles. sorry to sound like a tony robbins seminar, but being a trainer (a responsible, good one) isnt easy. you have physical, mental and emotional roadblocks everywhere you look with clients. there is no perfect client and it can be frustrating. for example, you can have the best laid out program or diet that will work wonders....then you have to get a client to adhere to it. or you can have a client flat out lying to you and telling you they are doing everything right. thats the challenge and the reward of being a trainer who gets results. you are constantly troubleshooting and problem solving. this is why you get paid the rate you charge. because a good trainer is worth it.
soap box rant over. hehe.
good luck. beverly hills, southgate, compton, malibu, riverside, pomona......bring em all on! i break bodies! hehehe.
Lee
New member
bignate73 said:hate to rain on the parade but form and exercise splits dont make a good trainer. they are the bare minimum!
at the least you had better be able to explain an exercise in more than 4 ways. setting up a training split or designing a program can be more than just assigning bodyparts to certain days.
you have to be able to work with people, around problems, or through difficulties. you are more than a rep counter, but a mentor, an example and an ear to hear and a shoulder to lean on. your clients see you as the epitome of fitness, which is why trainers get a bad rap sometimes from being out of shape and living subpar lifestyles. sorry to sound like a tony robbins seminar, but being a trainer (a responsible, good one) isnt easy. you have physical, mental and emotional roadblocks everywhere you look with clients. there is no perfect client and it can be frustrating. for example, you can have the best laid out program or diet that will work wonders....then you have to get a client to adhere to it. or you can have a client flat out lying to you and telling you they are doing everything right. thats the challenge and the reward of being a trainer who gets results. you are constantly troubleshooting and problem solving. this is why you get paid the rate you charge. because a good trainer is worth it.
soap box rant over. hehe.
beverly hills, southgate, compton, malibu, riverside, pomona......bring em all on! i break bodies! hehehe.
im quite aware that it takes more knoweldge, tahts why im asking what i need to know. im more then willing to learn, research, and test to accomplish this. everything takes time and dedication, just like bodybuilding. i know i can do this, i just need to learn.
bigstve12
New member
Lee, for the better certifications youre gonna need a good base of functional anatomy. I went and got certified on a whim, didnt even study and passed with like a 87%, but then again I got my BS in exercise physiology, i wouldve been embarassed to fail. Just pick up some good books and read away..im sure youll do fine
I didn't know there were certifications that allowed one to bypass the training. Basically all of the ones I looked into forced a person to buy their several-hundred-dollar materials and take the course before receiving any kind of certification. 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.
So, which cert. did you get?
-casual
So, which cert. did you get?
-casual
bebasshome
Banned
You could do what I'm doing, and thats go to a college, and major in "Exercise Science". Extensive background of anatomy, strength training/techniques, along with nutrition, and overall health. 4yr bachelor degree, with masters, and PHD's an option as well. A good buddy of mine who just graduated, and is doing his internship down in Daytona Beach, FL, already has a job offer starting at 35K a year for a club in Miami, so the pay certainly isn't bad.
Brian
Brian
The Red Dragon
New member
I hate to see personal trainers putting people on machines.
bignate73
New member
The Red Dragon said:
it depends what the client is comfortable with. there are some trainers that walk from machine to machine because its easy to train people on them....but some people are not comfortable, and actually dislike some types of free weight exercises. you have to remember, its not a matter of "this is for your own good" when we train people, if there is an option that lets them have fun. the average client isnt looking to become a gym rat and love iron. thought it would be nice to convert them....
that's good to know...
KINGKONG6900
New member
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.
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.
bignate73
New member
its a business. if you market yourself well, and do a good job, and get results, you will charge what you want. for the most part you are an individual contractor, unless you are contracted to a gym. of course credentials make a big difference for the new client, or prospective client who is shopping for a trainer. pay scale for being a trainer depends on tons of factors: demographic, your skill levels, half hour or full hour sessions, in the gym or at home training. remember you dont work at any gym for free, most charge rent monthly or a per session basis, so you have to figure that into your business plan when setting your rates.
www.nasm.org
www.nsca-lift.org
not sure what issa's or acsm's is. yahoo search can tell you.
the websites will tell you what their certs entail, what prerequisites are necessary etc.
www.nasm.org
www.nsca-lift.org
not sure what issa's or acsm's is. yahoo search can tell you.
the websites will tell you what their certs entail, what prerequisites are necessary etc.
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
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
New member
KINGKONG6900 said:
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
New member
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.
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.
KINGKONG6900
New member
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
New member
The American Council on Exercise offers a certification that may have more professional weight than ISSA.
KINGKONG6900
New member
im checkin out the ACE also.
bignate73
New member
KINGKONG6900 said:
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
New member
bignate73 said:
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.
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
New member
pwr_machine said:
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
New member
Glad I hold the respected CSCS cert.
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
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bignate73
New member
casualbb said:
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.
Nonerz
New member
casualbb said:
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.
northfloridatrainer
New member
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.
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.
Hahnb said:
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