Personal training Certifications...

[pandee]

I was going to get certified to train. I know that ACE is very popular, but I was looking for a home study program or online program. I've looked into ISSA and AFTA, which I haven't heard much about. Does anyone know anything about this organization or any other one? Any info. would be helpful!!!!!Thanx

[icyfresh21]

I have ISSA and it was a very good course, well accredited. Make sure you get one of the big ones. ISSA, ACE, NCSM, and I forgot the last big one.

[pandee]

thanx icy think I am gonna go with ISSA.

[Clutch]

Originally posted by icyfresh21
I have ISSA and it was a very good course, well accredited. Make sure you get one of the big ones. ISSA, ACE, NCSM, and I forgot the last big one.

ACSM?

[Muscleheadbob]

ACSM, and or NCSA... the NSCA CSCS test is hard though,,, although you might be able to register for it without college education, i know people who have a MS phys and didnt pass


.the ACE is the one i have, and i didnt nail it the first time... study HARD study like your brain is going to Mr Olympia.
Bob

[pandee]

Thanx musclehead bob I've decided to go with ISSA. They seem to be really good. They also have a home study program and you can actually take the test at home too!! That's very cool. Thanx for your input.

[Travis Stenersn]

If you want to just get a certification, go with the ACE.

If you want to LEARN something, go with the NSCA or ACSM cert.

The NSCA CSCS is one of the most notable, probably, but also one of the hardest. You also need a bachelor degree in a related feild to write the test. Because I haven't graduated yet, I took the NSCA-CPT course. I learned soo much and it was so worth the 700 or so dollars it cost. They send you 12 tapes with some great lectures. I burnt them onto CDs and listened to them on my computer/in car. Plus I bought their text "Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning" and thought it was a good buy(although i've only read about half).

I went back and took a second one, a Canadian version of the ACE. CanFitPro Personal Trainer Specialist. The caliber of information they taught was leagues behind what I got from the NSCA's cert.

About the ISSA, I heard they have lots of good information, just that the presentation(text/study kit) wasn't all that nice. that was a couple years ago though.

Just my take.. good luck.

[ACSM Man]

ACSM Man here:

If you want to get a personal trainer certification that will and must be respected by everybody, get certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). ACSM is the only certifying body that is recognized as the standard sports science certification body. In other words, it is just as respected as the American Medical Association is for doctors and the American Dental Association is for dentists.

I am not telling you to get one simply because I am studying for one. Go to any knowledgeable lawyer specializing in medical malpractices and they will tell you that you have a much better chance of winning a malpractice suit possessing an ACSM certification if you ever got sued.

All the gyms in my neighborhood (New Orleans) requires it.

If you want to be a strength coach, then get an NSCA certification and acheive a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist status after an ACSM (see my signature below).

Thanks,
ACSM Man

[Patrick Gamboa]

Pandee, good afternoon, I hope you are well and in good health. In addition to the great advice provided by your fellow forum members, consider the following.

We at ISSA emphasize the process of drawing people into not only a good lifestyle or a better lifestyle but the best lifestyle based in fitness for life. It is inspiring to be around people who are willing to devote themselves to a worthwhile endeavor of fitness. In order to be successful it helps to be around successful people. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions, small people always do that. The great, the truly great, make you feel as though you can become great too.” Although I had a degree my affiliation with ISSA had yet to begin. Fortunately I was blessed to work with two great mentors who are also now great friends. Rex Rhorer and David Bernstein helped channel my unbridled enthusiasm into focused training though scientific nutritional and exercise guidance. Many aspiring trainers are not as fortunate. Apprehension and confusion on how to begin a career as a professional trainer is evident in the numerous inquires we receive from newly certified trainers who do not know how to begin. Fortunately for our members, ISSA with its numerous services fill the role of a mentor. We nurture our certified trainers’ growth as true fitness educators and give them the encouragement to begin their careers as professional trainers.


The fitness industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and the opportunities for success are plentiful. People worldwide are turning their unbridled love and enthusiasm for fitness into lucrative careers. But how do these people channel this unbridled love for fitness into a profession that can support themselves and their loved ones? Through this article we will discuss the best ways to embark on a fitness career.


There are undoubtedly millions of people who are currently in a profession that does not suit their natural abilities and character. There are also individuals who are fearful of taking the first step into becoming a professional trainer, and settle for mediocrity, “You can’t steal second base if you don’t take your foot off of first”. Many may think that in order to becomes a successful ISSA trainer they need a formal education. Others may think that a successful trainer is genetically gifted and his or her talent as a bodybuilder or fitness competitor is what makes them a successful trainer. Still others rationalize success as a matter of luck. The truth is, the underlying characteristic that all successful ISSA trainers have is PERSISTENCE. As Calvin Coolidge once said “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent”. As for luck, what others perceive as luck for successful trainers is actually persistent preparation to provide the best service possible coupled with timely opportunities. If you can nurture the determination and persistence within you then you have the key element that will guide you through your endeavor as an ISSA trainer.


We at ISSA are devoted to assisting you in becoming a great representative of ISSA as a certified trainer. Once again, preparation and persistence should guide you through this process as well. As with any service, you need to identify your target market. It would be wise to do some research on the demographics of your particular area. For example, a trainer in Las Vegas has the opportunity to find employment through any number of hotels on the strip. Specialist are needed and contracted to work with entertainers to keep them in optimal shape. If you were to live in a retirement community like Palm Springs California or Clearwater Florida, then your clientele may predominantly be over 55 years of age. In this case specializing in senior fitness would be a good idea. Once you know your perspective clientele, you need to understand their spending habits as well. Golf and tennis are sports that retirees spend their leisure time enjoying. Knowing this, you could prepare by becoming certified as a specialist in Tennis or Golf Fitness, in the event that an opportunity arises for new clients. Remember that luck is when preparation meets opportunity, so be prepared for when that opportunity presents itself.


Once you have determined your market, you need to advertise your services. The most cost affective way to advertise your services is to be a daily walking billboard for yourself. Take the time to write a two-minute testimonial on when, how, why and what lead you to become a trainer. You never know where you will meet your next client; it could be in the supermarket, at the mall at a restaurant or just walking, remember that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Therefore, if you intend on drawing people into the fitness lifestyle then you have to live it yourself. There are numerous ways to garner free advertising for yourself in the initial stages of your career. Take the time to research local papers that except free-lance articles. Submit an article on fitness and attach your email or phone number for any inquiries at the conclusion of your article. If your article is accepted, then it serves as a full-page or half-a-page advertisement for yourself that you did not have to pay for. Remember that persistence is the underlying characteristic that binds all successful trainers together, so if you r first article is not published keep trying.


After you determine your market and your advertising begins to yield prospects, you need to develop the skills to turn perspective inquiries into new clientele. This is a key area in which preparation and persistence is paramount. We at ISSA have a continuing education course by Phil Kaplan on the Secrets to Becoming a Successful Trainer. The reality of becoming a successful trainer is to understand that you are indeed a salesperson selling a service; yourself, but do not want to be perceived as such. You need to develop an understanding of what type of communicator certain prospects are, whether it is visual, auditory or kinesthetic. By learning to catch key words like “I feel” or “I see” you can develop a more empathetic ear to ascertain a prospects true needs and then highlight why your services will be the most viable method to yield results. Once again, always stay persistent.


We at ISSA understand that any new endeavor can be marked with doubt and fears. We hope that we can continue to be your fitness education mentors so that you can turn your unbridled enthusiasm into a career you love and can profit from. As always, be prepared and stay persistence in all of your endeavors and you will undoubtedly be graced by success in your fitness career. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at patrick@issaonline.com. Take care and have a great day.

[abcreations]

What about NCSF. I want to do a great home study course.

NCSF has a testing center close to me.

Are there any other thoughts on a good PT certification class?

[Shorts]

I agree ACMS is one of the most respected certification. I took ACE and which is very good too, a lot to study. I did not get it the first time either, actually miss it for two points.
Good luck!

[Firepower]

What about NCSF. I want to do a great home study course.

NCSF has a testing center close to me.

Are there any other thoughts on a good PT certification class?

get a cert that's NCCA accredited. I believe the NCSF is in the process of getting that accreditation. do you plan on training just the average (sedentary) person or do you plan on specializing on training athletes, youth, etc?