Acsm

gavinz_dad · 10-26-2009, 11:15 AM

Just ordered my books on Friday! I'm super psyched about getting my cert. I researched several different providers before deciding on ACSM. NASM was a close 2nd, but for my needs, I felt that ACSM was the best route to go.
If there is anyone out there who's gotten their cert through ACSM, any recommendations or advice is appreciated. I'll rep for any help received.
Thanks! Peace!

Italian_13 · 10-26-2009, 12:02 PM

Good choice! Now, why did you go with ACSM and not NASM? What was the deciding factor? They are both excellent choices, I can't say one would go wrong with either of the two. I am ACSM certified, and have been for 2 years. It has opened many doors of opportunity for me.

My words of advice are: Pay close attention to the legalities of personal training. They asked me a lot of questions on that! Also, anatomy and biomechanics were asked a lot as well. I borrowed my ACSM books for studying and my classes I take here at CMU are all ACSM based so I just used those books. I found one book though, and I can't remember the name of it, but in the back it had like practice tests. Well, thank the lord I took those practice exams because 75% of the questions were in the actual exam!

Good luck and PM me if you have any questions while you are studying!

gavinz_dad · 10-26-2009, 01:55 PM

There were a couple of reasons. I actually found quite a few comments on the forums here to support my decision. NASM was way more recognized on both coasts...not that well known here in the south. I called every gym in my town and asked them what cert they required. Strangely, very few "required" one at all. The ones that did required either ACSM or NSCA. NSCA seemed to be predominantly strength and conditioning (obviously). ACSM seemed more scientifically based to me, as well as more well rounded educationally. NASM was a little too commercial for me, and I believe it cost more too.
I can't quite share my ultimate goal, as it involves a lot of unknowns still, but it falls into the realm of a "one-stop-shop" mentality when it comes to health and fitness. I just wanted a well rounded program and ACSM seemed to hit the nail on the head.
Thanks for the response.

gavinz_dad · 10-26-2009, 01:56 PM

If you remember the name of that book, let me know. Thanks bro!

askthetrainer · 10-26-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinz_dad

There were a couple of reasons. I actually found quite a few comments on the forums here to support my decision. NASM was way more recognized on both coasts...not that well known here in the south. I called every gym in my town and asked them what cert they required. Strangely, very few "required" one at all. The ones that did required either ACSM or NSCA. NSCA seemed to be predominantly strength and conditioning (obviously). ACSM seemed more scientifically based to me, as well as more well rounded educationally. NASM was a little too commercial for me, and I believe it cost more too.
I can't quite share my ultimate goal, as it involves a lot of unknowns still, but it falls into the realm of a "one-stop-shop" mentality when it comes to health and fitness. I just wanted a well rounded program and ACSM seemed to hit the nail on the head.
Thanks for the response.

The ACSM is definitely a better piece of paper but I think the stuff learned is mostly applicable for clinical jobs... IMO the stuff you learn with NASM is a lot more applicable/valuable to the normal clientele han the ACSMs stuff... unless it's changed which I've heard it has...

I'm actually letting my NASM expire and adding the ACSM to my collection later next year, not because I need another cert but just because..

SophieM · 10-26-2009, 03:04 PM

I will be taking my ACSM cert test in a couple weeks. There's a book called ACSM's Certification Review and it has practice questions in it. I'm also debating as to whether or not to buy the practice test online.

I've read the textbook and GETP and taken notes over both as well as scanned images/boxes from the books I thought were important. Now it's just studying and studying.

Good luck!

Italian_13 · 10-26-2009, 06:12 PM

ACSM's Certification Review... I think that is the one!! Its a think paperback style book with maybe 100 or so pages (or atleast thats what it was for me). Honestly, I wouldn't even bother with the practice tests online. I think that if you have the books and the general knowledge, then the online tests are just a waste of money. I mean, they are useful, but I think that the review book is a great tool as well as the books.

My major required that I have the ACSM books, and from what I can remember what was on the exam was exactly what we learned in class. I took the exam before I even took any of the higher level classes in my major and I scored very high. I believe its just a matter of how much you know and how much you are willing to learn.

Best of luck to you and anyone else who is going to take the exam. My next goal is to go for the CSCS. I plan on doing a strength and conditioning internship this summer so that I can graduate. So, if anyone knows any great places to do it, let me know!!!

Hope this helps!

SophieM · 10-26-2009, 08:06 PM

My problem with the ACSM Certification Review is that it's just not for personal trainers, it's for some of their other certifications as well. I'm not sure how much of it I'm supposed to know versus what is for their other certs. It's kind of freaking me out. Stuff that was in the textbook and GETP I seem to know but some of this other stuff, clueless.

Italian_13 · 10-26-2009, 08:47 PM

When I had the book, it was divided into sections. There was essentially 2-3 different practice exams, one being the personal training one. Although, I can tell you from experience, learning the other stuff wouldn't be a bad idea.

You guys can PM me with questions if you are unsure... I am always glad to help!!

SophieM · 10-27-2009, 05:58 AM

This one isn't broken into sections. There are two practice tests in back but neither is for the CPT. One is for the Health and Fitness cert and the other the Clinical cert.

I don't know why they say to get this book for the CPT since neither practice test is for it.

gavinz_dad · 10-27-2009, 07:54 AM

I just ordered the cert review book and another one too. I believe it's called the resource book? It's supposed to go hand in hand with the cert review book. It has all the KSA's that correspond with the different sections of the test. I haven't gotten them in yet, so I'm not sure, but you have me a little worried.
Did you go to any of the workshops or do any webinars?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SophieM

This one isn't broken into sections. There are two practice tests in back but neither is for the CPT. One is for the Health and Fitness cert and the other the Clinical cert.

I don't know why they say to get this book for the CPT since neither practice test is for it.

gavinz_dad · 10-27-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Italian_13

When I had the book, it was divided into sections. There was essentially 2-3 different practice exams, one being the personal training one. Although, I can tell you from experience, learning the other stuff wouldn't be a bad idea.

I agree. My wife is an RN and I'm gonna go through her anatomy and physiology books as well. I want to learn every muscle, bone and tendon...just to know it. At some point, I plan on getting my bachelor's in a health related field so the more I can learn now, the better.

gavinz_dad · 10-27-2009, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the input Sophie. I hope you do well on the test. Let me know what happens. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

SophieM · 10-27-2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinz_dad

I just ordered the cert review book and another one too. I believe it's called the resource book? It's supposed to go hand in hand with the cert review book. It has all the KSA's that correspond with the different sections of the test. I haven't gotten them in yet, so I'm not sure, but you have me a little worried.
Did you go to any of the workshops or do any webinars?

I didn't do the workshop or webinar. I couldn't afford them. I can't actually afford the test either and just hope I don't regret it all.

ACSM just put out a new Resources for the Personal Trainer so make sure you ordered the current one. It's the 3rd edition I believe. The Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription is in its 8th edition.

I'm not very happy with the cert review book for the reason I said above. I'll probably end up buying the online practice test just so I know where I am. The money I had saved for grad school gets getting less and less.

gavinz_dad · 10-27-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SophieM

ACSM just put out a new Resources for the Personal Trainer so make sure you ordered the current one. It's the 3rd edition I believe. The Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription is in its 8th edition.

These are the two I ordered. I've been saving for a little while and still saving for the actual test. I thought I would probably buy one of the practice exams as well, but we'll see if it's actually necessary. My sister is a professor at a local university so maybe I'll have her create a test for me. LOL!