Schooling: Check, Experience: None

[ponyfitness]

i would never higher anyone as a coach/pt who did not have a CSCS certification. i know too many morons running around with bullshit certifications (ACE, NASM) thinking they know everything, when, in reality, they know very little other than the stuff they had to memorize in order to pass their exam.

hell, i recently just got back from a conference put on by the NSCA, and i would say ~90% of the personal trainers present, some with many years of experience, could not correctly perform an olympic lift correctly from the word go. yes, they are very technical lifts, and yes, you will not use them with all clients...however, if you are going to be working with any athletes, if you can't perform a/don't know how to clean, snatch, or any other explosive exercise, you have no business pretending to know what you are talking about. putting them on the same-old, run of the mill routines will not make them a better athlete, no matter how many swiss balls and balance boards you throw at them.

Depends on the "athletes" you are training. I train high level runners and endurance athletes (triathlon, etc.). Olympic lifting for them is a waste of time. Joint stability and core strength is crucial. I haven't done a barbell deadlift or a barbell bench press on myself in about five years - it is useless for me and what I want to do.

Try not to generalize. Getting a CSCS requires you have a science degree which many trainers don't have. I'd put any high level CHEK or Poloquin practicioner next to any person with a CSCS and they could probably blow them away with knowledge.

 

[big_k]

I'm finishing a BS in Exercise Science, and for the most part an MS in Exercise Science will not get you THAT much more over a BS in the training world. Perhaps I could see it more helpful in certain premium training positions, but nevertheless you won't be able to get those without experience.

Like other posters have stated it leans toward the researching field a lot more. Also a lot go for their PhD's but once again, that is almost strictly for researchers/professors, and/or those really passionate in the field. (with a lot of time on their hands lol)

 

[st one]

I'm finishing a BS in Exercise Science, and for the most part an MS in Exercise Science will not get you THAT much more over a BS in the training world. Perhaps I could see it more helpful in certain premium training positions, but nevertheless you won't be able to get those without experience.

Like other posters have stated it leans toward the researching field a lot more. Also a lot go for their PhD's but once again, that is almost strictly for researchers/professors, and/or those really passionate in the field. (with a lot of time on their hands lol)

Yeah exactly - An MS can't hurt you, but if you're going to do this, you should ask yourself why - If you're into research, etc, then that's cool, or what you're trying to do absolutely requires an MS - But if you're using it to put off opening your personal training practice, it may not be necessary -

 

[100ktrainer]

You have schooling, but little experience? My questions would be where do you feel you are lacking experience? Is it in marketing or is it training clients, or both?

I will try to give you my short answer as this is really a loaded post. If it's marketing, you need to make sure you get some knowledge of that as this is what ultimately going to set you up for making the bigger bucks in Personal Training. It doesn't matter how many degrees you have or what kind of degrees you hold, if you can't market yourself or your business you are going to find it tough to get clients and keep them.

If it's training. I would say get with a Personal trainer that is seasoned and good at what they do. They can make a great mentor and coach for you. You can watch them train clients and even ask if you can take them through a workout and give you pointers. Or ,have them train you and you can take notes. Help a friend or family member get in shape, this will also give you some experience and build confidence.

Like some here have suggested you probably have more experience than you think if you are in the gym and already training yourself. Like everything else, experience will come with time. You are going to have to get a few clients under your belt, there's no getting around it. We all have been there as personal trainers. After your first few clients, your confidence level goes up.

My big thing is marketing, if you grasp an understanding of how to market yourself as a personal trainer you wont have to settle for a lower salary from anybody , you can write your own check.

Much Success with your Schooling, Knowledge is Power! I have a lot of Fitness Marketing tips over at my blog if your interested!

Personal Training Life

100KTrainer