QUESTION: Which certificates are the best?

[askthetrainer]

If there are any trainers passing by who currently hold both or have held both in the past, please email me

NSCA-CPT

NASM-CPT

[UDM_24]

Urban Active requires one of the following certifications: CSCS, NSCA, NASM, ACE, ISSA, ACSM, or NFPT. So there are at least two "exceptions".

I've worked @ Urban in Toledo for about a year with no cert. Then again, I don't make **** for $.

[dshinton]

I've worked @ Urban in Toledo for about a year with no cert. Then again, I don't make **** for $.

Corporate is cracking down on that. Urban Active in Hilliard was audited in June for both PT and CPR certs.

[Trem24]

I'm sure this has been asked before in this thread, but what's the cheapest cert as far as buying the material needed for studying and paying for the test?? I've been looking to become PT certified, more as a part time thing.

Also I see a lot of people in this thread working towards and Exercise Science degree, which is great I am too, but if you're using that degree to only become a PT, no offense, but that's pretty much a waste. There's a lot more other good paying stable jobs out there that you can get with a SES degree.

[Jim Ganley]

I would concur, but need to add that certification without education and a comprehensive background in anatomy and physiology is vastly over rated. The other thing is to actually train oneself. Far too many trainers do not, though for the life of me I cannot understand this.

In my opinion,
Jim Ganley

[Strength4life]

Bro,,ace in not even close to nasm...ace is way easier to get also...nasms opt model,,Human movement,,Biomechanics,,its far more updated then ace..I had looked at ace before getting nasm,,ace wasnt even close..it has helped me big time with training clients with injuries,,and postural distortions...Not saying you cant be a great trainer and be certified through ace,,but the science that you will learn with acsm,nasm,nsca,,is far more advanced then ace..

I'm studying my ass off for the NASM exam. I'm curious though, do I need to know EVERY muscle in the anatomy part. I was listening to one of the Web coach things, and the guy conducting it said it wasn't nesecessary. However, a trainer at my gym said I need to know them. I'm pretty confused. I' m not lazy, but my goal is to pass the exam and if I don't need to know it all, I would have more room to study more of the other stuff.

[rebbs]

great topic. Thanks for all the useful information.

[rajganpath]

Hey guys,
I want to get certified as a fitness trainer but I am confused if I should get the personal trainer cert or the group trainer cert. My plan is to start a little gym and conduct classes (like cross fit etc.). How big a group can I train using the personal trainer cert? Can I do personal training if I get the group trainer cert? How different are the exams for the personal trainer and group trainer?

Thanks much guys!

[TheRighteous]

Does anybody here have any experience with getting certified by ISSA?

[dshinton]

Hey guys,
I want to get certified as a fitness trainer but I am confused if I should get the personal trainer cert or the group trainer cert. My plan is to start a little gym and conduct classes (like cross fit etc.). How big a group can I train using the personal trainer cert? Can I do personal training if I get the group trainer cert? How different are the exams for the personal trainer and group trainer?

Thanks much guys!

There is no requirement, per se, for either certification. A certification is only an education on the topics which concern that specific certification. A group fitness cert will focus on issues pertaining to organizing and managing a group training curriculum whereas a personal training certification is more concerned with one-on-one exercise prescription and counseling.

Given your goal of being a CrossFit instructor, I would say you would want to pursue a CrossFit Level 1 certification and/or Group Fitness Instructor certification.

[1handed87]

I saw somebody asked before but nobody responded. Does anybody on here know much about the NPTI (national personal training institute) and if it would be a wise investment or waste of money? The hands on experience that it provides in the gym looks like it would be beneficial, but i don't know. any help would be great, thanks.

[Angra_Mainyu]

what would be a good cert for me to get, being a full time college student who is not taking any class pertaining to this but i am extremely knowledgeable about proper nutrition and lifting practices. I am looking for one where i can take it online, and can someone please give me an outline of what i need to know to pass the test? (so i can tell if i need to learn a lot or if i can pass it pretty easily)

[AndyS]

Hey i'm trying to figure out my steps to becoming a personal trainer. I took a look over at the NASM page and the training courses (plus the exam) run from 500-700$. Is there a cheaper way to do this and if so can somebody please point me in the right direction?

[Jay Rawd]

I hear ISSA is a joke.

Unproctored, open book, online, at home test with unlimited re-takes. So just go back and change your answers the second time around.

[tinyhulk]

I hear ISSA is a joke.

Unproctored, open book, online, at home test with unlimited re-takes. So just go back and change your answers the second time around.

I hear people rave about it. I don't understand why with the Unproctored, open book, online, at home test (don't know about unlimited retakes).

[alexedye]

Up in Canada here...I'm currently CSEP-CPT, and hopefully will be CSEP-CEP in December after my exam. It's the certification government and other high level jobs look for...feels good brah.

I used to work in a gym (Shapes) where one week a receptionist was getting trained and supposedly had no idea what she was doing, became interested in fitness that week, took a Can-Fit-Pro course on the weekend, and was taking clients next week....wtf.

[scient13]

I think NASM is the best one....

[rcarr12]

Mythic Beast:

I see you recommend the big 3 but you are ISSA certified? I was looking at this one as well. From what you know from experience, would you chose one of these "big 3" before ISSA?

My highest point of interest is in nutrition and performance supplementation.

THANKS!

Good Morning Mono, actually I am ISSA certified. Ironically I didn't do any true in depth research before signing on, a trainer at the gym where I worked the front desk said he thought I'd be a good trainer and it was the cert. he had and he spoke highly of it. So I gave them a call, when they said I'd get a discoumnt because of where I worked I decided to give it a try. I found it to be a very complete study program. Their approach to fitness is very "down to earth" I say it like that because I am also certified through AFAA. But let me tell the reason behind that. After being certified I could not find any facility to work out of gym or otherwise. I was told about a commercial gym called "LifeStyle Family Fitness" after inquiring with them about employmet they informed me that they did not reconize ISSA. They had their own list of certs they did reconized, and if hired I would have 90 days I think it was to get certified by one of their groups. As it turns out the local community college was hosting a AFAA seminar and AFAA was on their list so I took it. AFAA is very academic, I don't mean that to sound as a put down. It is similar to a college course, their material is presented in a very clinical manner. But I have to admit I feel as though the two orginization compliment each other well. Also intially, AFAA offered better CEU choices, however ISSA recently joined forces with some thired parties fitness orginizations so their choices are a lot more diverse.

[W.Chapman]

Keep in mind that the ISSA IS the 1st and only Fitness Organization that is Nationally accredited and recognized by the USDoE and CHEA. as well as the DETC
The also helped form the NBFE ( National Board of Fitness Examiners )

DETC.. Distance Education and Training Council
USDoE.. U.S. Department of Education
CHEA.. Council for Higher Education Accreditation

[rcarr12]

Keep in mind that the ISSA IS the 1st and only Fitness Organization that is Nationally accredited and recognized by the USDoE and CHEA. as well as the DETC
The also helped form the NBFE ( National Board of Fitness Examiners )

DETC.. Distance Education and Training Council
USDoE.. U.S. Department of Education
CHEA.. Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Just wondering, have you completed your 20ceu's, and if so how much did it wind up costing you? Everything that catches my attention is low in point value, but kind of pricey.

[B.Love]

if any of you personal trainers could go back to start, which one cert would you go with?? from my understanding it sounds like any cert will get you through the door of a gym.

[GymCat365]

if any of you personal trainers could go back to start, which one cert would you go with?? from my understanding it sounds like any cert will get you through the door of a gym.

I would go with ACSM's Health Specialist cert because it focuses on special populations (managing chronic conditions) - something our nation is growing abundant on so this is where the trend is right now. A lot of clinics and hospitals that are going the 'prevention' route are hiring people with this background.

I'm starting to enjoy working with athletes though. Quite a change from trying to empower individuals to workout. Athletes are usually ready to train. For this interest I like NSCA's CSCS cert.

[hardBODmiranda]

Great info, thanks guys!

[Jeph77]

So the issa is running a deal for cheap right now, was wondering if i should just do that ? or just get the nasm ?

[blkbelt42]

I hear people rave about it. I don't understand why with the Unproctored, open book, online, at home test (don't know about unlimited retakes).

Is this true? ISSA is an - Unproctored, open book, online, at home test ??

[be4st]

Just a general question. If you fail one of these exams after paying the (roughly) 250$ cost (I think that's what ACE charges), do you get to keep taking it? or do you have to pay that same price everytime

Also, for ISSA, do you have to pay the complete 400 - 500 dollar fee which includes all the study material, etc. in order to take the test? is there a way to just take the test and pay the test fee without buying all those materials? I want to just take the test because I believe I have all the knowledge I need....

[blkbelt42]

Just a general question. If you fail one of these exams after paying the (roughly) 250$ cost (I think that's what ACE charges), do you get to keep taking it? or do you have to pay that same price everytime

Also, for ISSA, do you have to pay the complete 400 - 500 dollar fee which includes all the study material, etc. in order to take the test? is there a way to just take the test and pay the test fee without buying all those materials? I want to just take the test because I believe I have all the knowledge I need....

I think some allow a retake whereas with others you'd have to pay the fee again.

[LouV]

Is this true? ISSA is an - Unproctored, open book, online, at home test ??

Yes. That doesn't mean it's easy though.

[Cincimanatti]

It dont matter what cert you have. I know a guy without a cert that makes a pretty good living. He is built good presents himself well and knows how to talk to people. He is more succesful than nost of the trainers I know.

[blkbelt42]

It dont matter what cert you have. I know a guy without a cert that makes a pretty good living. He is built good presents himself well and knows how to talk to people. He is more succesful than nost of the trainers I know.

Good post and probably true for the most part.