Getting into the personal training / health stuff

GMXpLoDe! · 09-22-2009, 08:13 PM

I am looking into becoming a personal trainer hopefully until I go away for firefighting / EMT classes. At 24 hour fitness, it says I need at least one of the following,

? ACE (American Council on Exercise) Personal Trainer
? ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) Certified Personal Trainer
? NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) Certified Personal Trainer
? NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) Certified Personal Trainer

I plan to get more than just one, but I understand it takes quite a while for preparation so maybe if I focus on one of them to get the job, then I can focus on the other certs after being hired.

Which certification would you guys recommend I go for first? Obviously the one with more reputation for the interview, which one would that be?

Thanks guys!!

notgumbel · 09-23-2009, 07:01 AM

If you look at the sticky that compares the various certifications, you will get plenty of info there.

However, you seem to have two goals, which may conflict: (1) the most highly regarded certification and (2) speed of achieving certification.

Does the potential employer require one of these at hire, or within a certain period after you are hired?

Dwalcott · 09-23-2009, 09:27 AM

I'm a trainer at 24 hour fitness. Your best choice is NASM. It's a good course and you will learn a lot. All of their templates are based off NASM, so you'll find it much easier with the NASM background once you start working. Also you can earn free speciality certifications from NASM through 24 hour fitness

GMXpLoDe! · 09-23-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notgumbel

If you look at the sticky that compares the various certifications, you will get plenty of info there.

However, you seem to have two goals, which may conflict: (1) the most highly regarded certification and (2) speed of achieving certification.

Does the potential employer require one of these at hire, or within a certain period after you are hired?

They require it at hire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwalcott

I'm a trainer at 24 hour fitness. Your best choice is NASM. It's a good course and you will learn a lot. All of their templates are based off NASM, so you'll find it much easier with the NASM background once you start working. Also you can earn free speciality certifications from NASM through 24 hour fitness

Okay I will look into the NASM for my first certification for the interview. Thank you!

pu12en12g · 09-25-2009, 01:16 AM

ACE is fine to start

JOSEF RAKICH · 09-25-2009, 02:07 AM

ISSA (Imternational Sports Science Association) - http://www.issaonline.com/

Mr_Kinney · 09-27-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOSEF RAKICH

ISSA (Imternational Sports Science Association) - http://www.issaonline.com/

currently 24 hour fitness does not take ISSA certs. your best bet is to go through NASM and follow that up with an ACE cert if you wish to have more than one.

MarkTrainer · 09-27-2009, 07:35 PM

Just because a company pushes one cert, still doesn't mean it is the right one for you!
The NSCA, and the ACSM, are the two top certifications. If you are going to spend money, why not go with what will help you in the long run?
If you read the fitness magazines, or the fitness literature, you will almost always come across these two, especially the NSCA's CSCS certification.
There is no need for more than one high level cert. If you are looking to improve your knowledge and/or status, then get a degree in an exercise related field. (Which again will bring you back to the CSCS certification most likely!)
Read as much as you can, because even the best courses don't necessarily jibe with what works and gets results in the real world.