What is the worst certification?

[Borschtbeet]

My guess is any kind of crossfit certification. Most crossfit trainers seem to be total ***s who act like one type of training can benefit everyone.

Other than that ISSA must be pretty crap since it's all online, no test time so you can cheat. I've heard NESTA sucks too, almost as bad as AFAA.

Of course the certification doesn't necessary make the trainer, but what do you guys think?

[volitionfitness]

the certification doesn't necessary make the trainer

that

[Borschtbeet]

Hey don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing any trainer here because of their certification. I know there are trainers out there who aren't certified and who don't even have a college degree who are still great trainers. It is possible to be self-educated. Still, when it comes to getting a job it helps to have a more reputable certification.

[fabostrong]

My guess is any kind of crossfit certification. Most crossfit trainers seem to be total ***s who act like one type of training can benefit everyone.

Other than that ISSA must be pretty crap since it's all online, no test time so you can cheat. I've heard NESTA sucks too, almost as bad as AFAA.

Of course the certification doesn't necessary make the trainer, but what do you guys think?

This is going to sound bias because I'm ISSA certified but ISSA is far from crap. It has great information. I understand the whole online part and why you would think its bad cause of that. Yeah, someone could have somebody take the test for them. You'd have to be really lazy to do that considering its open book. That's on the person. The knowledge it has is amazing.

There's also essay questions and case studies that you have to complete for the test. So instead of all multiple choice questions, you actually have to show that you understand the material and know how to apply it. As far as I know, it's the only cert that has that. I could be wrong.

Hope this helps.

[Calebdude]

I might be inclined to say any cert that doesn't transfer from gym to gym, will having a crossfit cert get you a job training anyone at a non crossfit gym?
I know there are some smaller companies out there running similar ***** that outside of that gym aren't worth much.

[Bobby45512]

If any of you know about westside barbell, what do you think of their cert?

[JoeCannonMSCSCS]

It's funny you mentioned ISSA. Those ISSA trainers I had met, I felt were pretty knowledgeable. AFAA on the other hand seemed to be less so but that's just my limited experience. I often tell people to focus on knowledge and less about the cert. I dont think anybody EVER asked me "who are you certified by" except other trainers and gym managers. Having said all that, I'm pretty much against most online ***** Ive heard of because as you say they allow people to cheat. It was one of my criticisms of Anna Kournikova who suddenly became a personal trainer http://www.joe-cannon.com/anna-kournikova-personal-trainer-certified-issa-biggest-looser/

I heard a story of how a trainer took an online cert in his car on his phone in the parking lot of a gym and had the cert printed up in a gym - and he got hired. Sad and scary.