Personal trainers - Study Thread

[nickmanzoni]

Originally Posted by HardGainer82

Make sure to know the muscular anatomy, the planes of movement, and basic caloric intake/nutrient values.

Thank you. I got that down pat.

[nickmanzoni]

Originally Posted by John Prophet

A client has worked with a trainer and gotten these results.

January 1st measurements:
--------------------------
Weight 130lbs
Bodyfat 30%


June 1st measurements:
-----------------------
Weight 124lbs
bodyfat 25%

approx how much bodyfat did the client lose between the two measurements?




give people a chance to get the answer before u go posting up guesses. Also, someone could post up the math to show how its done for those who arent sure

*spoiler*


















130 multiplied by .3 (30%)= 39
124 multiplied by .25 (25%)=31

39-31= 8 lbs.

[Bill D]

How long did it take you all to prepare for the exam? What are some tips for the test? A friend of mine mentioned the formulas were big in the exam as stated in an earlier post here but I am curious what the people here who have taken the exam think. It seems like every exam has its own wording and style.

[liftingpigs]

Originally Posted by Bill D

How long did it take you all to prepare for the exam? What are some tips for the test? A friend of mine mentioned the formulas were big in the exam as stated in an earlier post here but I am curious what the people here who have taken the exam think. It seems like every exam has its own wording and style.

I took my ACE test today and found it easier than I thought it was gonna be. Im not sure if there are different tests because there weren't many formulas, only one i remember was calculating BMI. The second half is really easy, the multiple choice part is alot of "this person has this and this what should you do, what should you avoid" i studied the book for 2-3 months

[b~rad]

Originally Posted by liftingpigs

I took my ACE test today and found it easier than I thought it was gonna be. Im not sure if there are different tests because there weren't many formulas, only one i remember was calculating BMI. The second half is really easy, the multiple choice part is alot of "this person has this and this what should you do, what should you avoid" i studied the book for 2-3 months

did you actually do the workbook and what not or did you just read through the book like im currently doing? ive been studying for three weeks and am on chapter 7. It all seems like pretty easy stuff. should I go ahead and schedule my test in a month? I took the online practice test and scored in the high 80 percentile.

[HardGainer82]

You should be fine. I never did the workbook.

[b~rad]

Originally Posted by HardGainer82

You should be fine. I never did the workbook.

good stuff. youll be getting a pm soon.

[Spiceygamble]

First... brilliant thread.
How did I miss this before?

Ok, so I've been trying to study for the ACSM exam & I don't think I'm quite ready for it yet. I was advised to start with the ACE & go back to take the ASCM later.

Soooo okay, new game plan... now I'm searching for fairly new/used ACE materials(*hint hint... should anyone wish to sell their materials).


I ran across another forum chat about the ACE & thought I'd post what I read, in the hopes it helps out:

I would spend the most time on the manual. Despite what you read on these boards, you do NOT need to kill yourself with the difficult formulas, minute details of exercise physiology or anatomy, or periodization. They do not ask about things like insertion points of muscles and nerves and all that. You do not need to study for ages in order to pass. I know people get nervous and try to learn the manual cover to cover, but it's really not necessary.

With my method of studying, I was very comfortable with the material when I took the test. I bought the ACE premier package. I went with the 20 week schedule, and I had a few extra weeks for review before I took the written test. I studied on my own and didn't use any additional classes or anything like that.

1. Read the chapter
2. Take VERY detailed notes
3. Answer the questions in the Home Study Course and Master the Manual
4. Read and study the muscles section of the little skinny anatomy book (if you got it) and take the quizzes on the CD
5. Study the flashcards or make your own.
6. Invest in the online quiz. It really made me feel a lot more secure in what I knew.
7. The CDs were worthless and just confused me more.
8. DVD was OK, but not really necessary.

Know the following:
1. Karvonen Formula
2. BMI
3. Calories per nutrient
4. Posture and anatomical position
5. Planes of motion
6. Basic nutrition
7. Muscles, where they are, how they work, what exercises they are involved in, and what exercises properly strengthens them
8. Difference between the flexors and extensors, especially in the lower body.
9. Special populations & diseases
10. Exercise programming. It will come in handy with both the multiple choice and the practical knowledge portions.
11. What advice you can and can't dispense
12. What can get you sued
13. The ACE Code of Conduct

Also, DO study those sidebars and charts, especially in chapter 3. I made sure I got up and did all the movements, especially with learning the planes. I touched and flexed all the muscles so I knew where they were. I also picked up a set of Netter's Anatomy Flashcards after I had taken my test. They were $35, but they would have been a huge help while I was studying.

[bull.dogz]

Originally Posted by Spiceygamble

First... brilliant thread.
How did I miss this before?

Ok, so I've been trying to study for the ACSM exam & I don't think I'm quite ready for it yet. I was advised to start with the ACE & go back to take the ASCM later.

Soooo okay, new game plan... now I'm searching for fairly new/used ACE materials(*hint hint... should anyone wish to sell their materials).


I ran across another forum chat about the ACE & thought I'd post what I read, in the hopes it helps out:

You can check Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble, they sell used books too.

[Spiceygamble]

Originally Posted by bull.dogz

You can check Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble, they sell used books too.

Yeah, I have.
The only ones I found were over two yrs old or only a book here & there.
Still keeping my eyes open.

[Mr. Shred]

Originally Posted by bull.dogz

Can anyone recommend an anatomy book that could help with my studies?

I am currently studyting for the NASM exam and found the anatomy examples shown in the text are pretty poor quality so I went to the local Barnes and Noble book store and just started looking through various anatomy books, ALL of which had much better examples compared to the NASM text.

BTW, I am also having problems retaining all the material and I have read the whole book almost twice now and watched the DVD's once. Hope it goes well.

[bull.dogz]

Originally Posted by Mr. Shred

I am currently studyting for the NASM exam and found the anatomy examples shown in the text are pretty poor quality so I went to the local Barnes and Noble book store and just started looking through various anatomy books, ALL of which had much better examples compared to the NASM text.

BTW, I am also having problems retaining all the material and I have read the whole book almost twice now and watched the DVD's once. Hope it goes well.

Thanks! I found a great book to help. Strength Training Anatomy (they sell it on here too). But it list every muscle used. I really like it.

Good luck to you too!

[HardGainer82]

Originally Posted by bull.dogz

Thanks! I found a great book to help. Strength Training Anatomy (they sell it on here too). But it list every muscle used. I really like it.

Good luck to you too!

Is that the one by Delavier (sp?)

That book is awesome, I bought it way before I even considered becoming a PT!

[bull.dogz]

Originally Posted by HardGainer82

Is that the one by Delavier (sp?)

That book is awesome, I bought it way before I even considered becoming a PT!

Yes, I love that book!

[uberMunk]

Passed my NASM test today. Thought I failed, but I guess I'm smarter than I thought. Yeah the practice test doesn't really help a whole lot to be honest. Read the book and watch the DVD's and you sohuld be good. And do the study guide. GL to all!

[Spiceygamble]

Originally Posted by uberMunk

Passed my NASM test today. Thought I failed, but I guess I'm smarter than I thought. Yeah the practice test doesn't really help a whole lot to be honest. Read the book and watch the DVD's and you sohuld be good. And do the study guide. GL to all!

Let me be one of the first to congratulate you.


...now go create some nice shapes in the world.
*grin...

[bull.dogz]

Originally Posted by uberMunk

Passed my NASM test today. Thought I failed, but I guess I'm smarter than I thought. Yeah the practice test doesn't really help a whole lot to be honest. Read the book and watch the DVD's and you sohuld be good. And do the study guide. GL to all!

Congrats! What was the test like?

[uberMunk]

Hard. Sat in a little cubicle, I was the only one there. Nice quiet room, good for concentration. I thought some of the questions were way out there, but there are 20 research questions that don't count against your score. Maybe I missed all 20 of those, which is why I passed :P

Read the book and do the study guide, thats the best advice I can say. Watch the vids if those help, but I tend to space off. Do know the corrective measurements to take when feet turn out, lower back arches etc. Know the overactive and underactive muscles, as well as how to stretch and strengthen them. Don't stress over knowing every single muscle that might be over or underactive. You should be able to figure out whats wrong or what needs to take place if you understand the basics of the anatomy and the OPT model.

I won't be much help for specifics cuz I can't remember anything. Sorry.

[Spiceygamble]

ok, so while I've been reading threads, I've run across a few excellent "must have book/materials" suggestions. You know, the kind of reference books & videos that make for a great personal library.
This seems like a really great place to post suggestions for the trainers' collection.

Mydamnself made the great suggestion:
Anatomy Trains

My personal mentor suggested:
Program Design for Personal Trainers: Bridging Theory into Application


What must haves are on your book shelf?

[carl.c]

bull.dogz: The NSCA book is a good one for learning terms.
One thing that helped me when it came to muscles and movement was to use my body as a study guide. Start to memerize the muscles of your body and the planes they move throught. This helped me during the tests when I would get confused I could jog my memory by looking at my body.
With the other terms I found it easier to learn how the word was put together instead of what the whole word ment. Sounds silly but It helped me after a couple of weeks the words started to make sence, since I new what the parts where.
These are some of the things my profesor showed me and they helped me.
This was in anatomy class but I the same technec very helpfull when taking my cerification exsams.

[bull.dogz]

Originally Posted by carl.c

bull.dogz: The NSCA book is a good one for learning terms.
One thing that helped me when it came to muscles and movement was to use my body as a study guide. Start to memerize the muscles of your body and the planes they move throught. This helped me during the tests when I would get confused I could jog my memory by looking at my body.
With the other terms I found it easier to learn how the word was put together instead of what the whole word ment. Sounds silly but It helped me after a couple of weeks the words started to make sence, since I new what the parts where.
These are some of the things my profesor showed me and they helped me.
This was in anatomy class but I the same technec very helpfull when taking my cerification exsams.

Cool, thanks. I'll have to try that approach.

[Richie_Awesome]

Wonderful thread. Tagged.

[bull.dogz]

Stopped studying for a couple of weeks but I'm back in it. So much to retain. I'm going to have to study this all the way through a few times before I'd feel comfortable taking the exam.

[guru_iron]

i have registered for progressive fitness certification... i dont see neone talking abt it here... is it out of business in US.. ? coz in india, its one of the best deal, 90% of the trainers aren't certified, and progressive fitness costs a hell less thn ACE and ACSM... so for a first timer it works gud enuf to fetch a gud job... and i don't see mch difference in the course profile... all the basics are same...

we have a 4month long lecture duration before the final certification exam, and its getting along real gud... classes r twice a week, once a week lecture and then the other day we have practicals.. basically the lifting technique demonstration...

regarding preparations.. one month has passed and we have covered, anatomy, kinesiology, anatomy... i have started analyzing each of the lifts i perform aftr each set... like the concentric phase and the joint movement occuring in it... and the muscles involved in it... i think of slight variations in it to hit other fibres... planes involved...

chk out
http://getbodysmart.com
ita a damn gud interactive site to learn anatomy... spend most of my time on this website... to remember all those muscle names and thr starting and insertion point...

[bigdaddy425]

One of the best anatomy books I could recommend is Trail Guide to Human Anatomy. It's written for massage therapists but FANTASTICLY full of information. My massage therapy training made studying for my CPT cert so much easier.

[Rob Awesome]

Sweetie - i'm an NSCA-cpt. If you have any questions, comments or complaints regarding certification and personal trainer, feel free to hit me up <3

[Spiceygamble]

Originally Posted by bigdaddy425

One of the best anatomy books I could recommend is Trail Guide to Human Anatomy. It's written for massage therapists but FANTASTICLY full of information. My massage therapy training made studying for my CPT cert so much easier.

Excellent suggestion.
Thanks!!

[mary1433]

So I am getting ready to order my study material from NASM, I noticed that you only have 120 days from the day you get the material to take the test. Should I wait to order the material and study something else until I know all the muscles or whatever? Or should I just order it and try to learn it all by that 120 days? What did you all do?

[bull.dogz]

Originally Posted by mary1433

So I am getting ready to order my study material from NASM, I noticed that you only have 120 days from the day you get the material to take the test. Should I wait to order the material and study something else until I know all the muscles or whatever? Or should I just order it and try to learn it all by that 120 days? What did you all do?

I ordered my books through amazon.com and I'll just buy the test when I'm ready. I knew there was no way I'd be ready in 3 months.

[BigDaddy33]

Cool Thread DOGZ!! IN

Took Dave Palumbos S.M.A.R.T. (Scientific Management of Anatomical Responsive Training). It was a very good course. I took the exam and recieved my certificate. Im planning on taking another course this year, any opinions on which to take?
www.davepalumbo.com If anyone wants to take a look at SMART...