Is more than 1 training certification even necessary?

LL SquatButt J · 08-19-2008, 06:59 PM

What up P.T. people? Well here is the situation. In 1-2 years after i grad from school i plan on getting certified via CSCS. Well i was wondering, would there be any benefits as to getting the NSCA-CPT certification (or different P.T. certification like AFAA, ISSA, ACSM, NASM, etc...) on top of the CSCS certification?

The reason for me considering this is because i think (don't know for sure) that CSCS is more intended to prep you to train Athletes while the CPT (or AFAA, NASM, ACSM, etc...) would be geared towards prepping you to do 1 on 1 training with "ordinary people"/non-sports competing athletes/bodybuilders.

Initially what i want to do is train people 1 on 1 at a fitness/health gym and maybe do some online training stuff and then later possibly train people in my improved home gym. Then later after establishing myself and getting experience i'd try to get on board an athletic/sports team, be it high school, college, etc... So would CSCS be enough to prep me for these two situations or would it be best to get both certifications?

(situations= Train Athletes and Personal trainer)

So let me know what u guys think about this....thanx in advance

JAM...

gbigdtrying · 08-19-2008, 08:02 PM

Hi, well my friend you are right cscs is to work with athletes but in order to bet certified as CSCS you need NSCA certification first. but you are thinking right this is the best certification today. and let me clear this I'm not saying that the others ain't good don't get me wrong!! but the diference with the NSCA. is the only one who get you ready to be CSCS certified and is more complete. So you really need to study because is a very hard test!!

LL SquatButt J · 08-19-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbigdtrying

Hi, well my friend you are right cscs is to work with athletes but in order to bet certified as CSCS you need NSCA certification first. but you are thinking right this is the best certification today. and let me clear this I'm not saying that the others ain't good don't get me wrong!! but the diference with the NSCA. is the only one who get you ready to be CSCS certified and is more complete. So you really need to study because is a very hard test!!

wow, really? i thought u can just go straight for the CSCS after you get your BA/BS degree

jdmalm123 · 08-19-2008, 08:26 PM

I'm sure you saw this...

http://www.nsca-cc.org/cscs/about.html

Prerequisites
Registrants must submit an original, official transcript of their academic work, showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree (BS/BA) or chiropractic medicine degree granted by an accredited institution. College seniors can also take the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam; however, they must be currently enrolled in an accredited institution.* For college seniors, the NSCA Certification Commission will not release exam scores until transcripts verifying graduation and noting the degree earned have been received.**

* Within the United States: To be eligible to take the CSCS examination, candidates must hold at a bachelor's degree or currently be enrolled as a college senior from an institution that is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations (e.g., North Central Association of Colleges and Schools).

Current CPR and AED certification is also a requirement. If you do not have current CPR and AED certification, you can still register for and take the CSCS exam. The NSCA Certification Commission will accept any adult CPR and AED certification obtained by attending a CPR and AED course that meets the following criteria:
Must have a hands-on training component (certification through a course completed entirely online will not be accepted)
Must include a skills performance evaluation

Examples of accepted CPR and AED certifications include
American Heart Association (Heartsaver)
Red Cross (including Blended Learning First Aid/CPR/AED Program)
National Safety Council
St. John Ambulance
The NSCA Certification Commission will not release exam scores until documentation of valid CPR and AED certification has been received.

LL SquatButt J · 08-19-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdmalm123

I'm sure you saw this...

http://www.nsca-cc.org/cscs/about.html

Prerequisites
Registrants must submit an original, official transcript of their academic work, showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree (BS/BA) or chiropractic medicine degree granted by an accredited institution. College seniors can also take the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam; however, they must be currently enrolled in an accredited institution.* For college seniors, the NSCA Certification Commission will not release exam scores until transcripts verifying graduation and noting the degree earned have been received.**

* Within the United States: To be eligible to take the CSCS examination, candidates must hold at a bachelor's degree or currently be enrolled as a college senior from an institution that is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations (e.g., North Central Association of Colleges and Schools).

Current CPR and AED certification is also a requirement. If you do not have current CPR and AED certification, you can still register for and take the CSCS exam. The NSCA Certification Commission will accept any adult CPR and AED certification obtained by attending a CPR and AED course that meets the following criteria:
Must have a hands-on training component (certification through a course completed entirely online will not be accepted)
Must include a skills performance evaluation

Examples of accepted CPR and AED certifications include
American Heart Association (Heartsaver)
Red Cross (including Blended Learning First Aid/CPR/AED Program)
National Safety Council
St. John Ambulance
The NSCA Certification Commission will not release exam scores until documentation of valid CPR and AED certification has been received.

yup i saw that...

...so would u recommend combining 2 certs or just getting the CSCS and be done with it?

jdmalm123 · 08-20-2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jampsifit

yup i saw that...

...so would u recommend combining 2 certs or just getting the CSCS and be done with it?

I would get the one "regular" cert and work it for a while. If you love training and are sure it's what you want to do, then go for the CSCS.

I posted some more info in my journal.

Environ · 08-20-2008, 06:25 AM

It's not necessary, but you are also required to recertify on a regular basis (varies depending on the certifying organisation). Furthermore, it's also important to keep up with advances in this area. The more DIFFERENT types of certificate you do, the greater your knowledge base and experience becomes too. There are so many out there.

Also, even if you did a number of different personal training certificates, you would see that they all have their own approaches to things. It's good to keep an open mind in this regard. I remember being at a Poliquin lecture a while back and even he said that, when he was developing his system, he listened to as many people as he could, took what he believed were the best bits of their philosophies and ditched the rest.

carl.c · 08-20-2008, 12:58 PM

jampsifit: One cert should get you started the CSCS is a fine cert that covers a wide verity of programs. The one thing you might keep in mind is the specialty cert like Kettleball, arobic, spin ect.. You don't need them now but they give you a wider knowledge base.

LL SquatButt J · 08-24-2008, 01:15 PM

Hey thanx a lot for the responses guys. I decided to just go with one general cert and then later potentially get a specialty cert. I don't know which general one i'll get but it'll probably be between CSCS, AFAA, ACE, or NASM.

Thanx again u guys, i really appreciate it.