Which cert should I get first? NASM or NSCA?

[WindyKO]

I'm looking to take on commercial gym training as a part time job and am deciding between NASM and NSCA. A lot of posters here have said that NASM is the best cert for this because most potential clients in these gym settings are those that are out of shape and have low GPP, which is why the 7 phase OPT model works so well because it helps with program design and progression for these less experienced clients.

However, I generally find strength & conditioning training for athletes much more interesting and that seems to be the focus of NSCA. My question is, can NSCA also sufficiently prepare me for those clients who are out of shape and need more work put in initially for corrective exercise training and integrated stabilisation training (core)?

I'm assuming the majority of gyms will accept either of these certs.

[Al Shades]

"Less experienced clients" don't require any high degree of specialized knowledge. They simply need to be drilled in the basics.

There's no point in learning all that material to work with beginners because you'll never get a chance to use it. You will be fighting with fat people just to get their ass into the weight room. You're going to be an adult babysitter.

Go with NSCA.

Good trainers don't specialize in "working with beginners". Good trainers specialize in turning beginners into advanced athletes, as quickly as possible.

Beginners are simply a train wreck in numerous ways. You don't coddle them. You don't put up with their BS. You qualify them, assess them, educate them, and progress them. The goal is to get them out of their newbie mentality as soon as possible. Only when you do that can you really accomplish anything. Your biggest obstacle with these people is always going to be psychological, regardless of how out of shape they are. After all, a pro athlete can take two years off and get completely out of shape, but he has the mentality to whip himself back into shape when the time comes. Average people completely lack that driven, athletic mentality, and that is their biggest fault, by far. I'd rather take on a former athlete at 35% than a current couch potato at 22%.

Anything that NASM could teach you, you can learn on your own in a day of googling "functional training" and "stability ball exercises".

[WindyKO]

Originally Posted by Al Shades

"Less experienced clients" don't require any high degree of specialized knowledge. They simply need to be drilled in the basics.

There's no point in learning all that material to work with beginners because you'll never get a chance to use it. You will be fighting with fat people just to get their ass into the weight room. You're going to be an adult babysitter.

Go with NSCA.

Good trainers don't specialize in "working with beginners". Good trainers specialize in turning beginners into advanced athletes, as quickly as possible.

Beginners are simply a train wreck in numerous ways. You don't coddle them. You don't put up with their BS. You qualify them, assess them, educate them, and progress them. The goal is to get them out of their newbie mentality as soon as possible. Only when you do that can you really accomplish anything. Your biggest obstacle with these people is always going to be psychological, regardless of how out of shape they are. After all, a pro athlete can take two years off and get completely out of shape, but he has the mentality to whip himself back into shape when the time comes. Average people completely lack that driven, athletic mentality, and that is their biggest fault, by far. I'd rather take on a former athlete at 35% than a current couch potato at 22%.

Anything that NASM could teach you, you can learn on your own in a day of googling "functional training" and "stability ball exercises".

thanks for that..repd

may I ask what cert do you have and do you train in a gym?

[dshinton]

Originally Posted by Al Shades

"Less experienced clients" don't require any high degree of specialized knowledge. They simply need to be drilled in the basics.

I disagree.

I have yet to meet a detrained client without postural compensations or a previous joint injury. NASM is based in Physical Therapy techniques and teaches you how to correct and/or work around these.

Having said that, nothing is stopping the OP from getting a NSCA cert and learning phase 0, 1, and 2 of the OPT model. I would recommend at least doing that.

[rnaco]

get both. NASM does a good job of teaching their method, NSCA does a good job of testing what you already know in exercise science.

NASM has their own method of training which you may or may not agree with (research doesn't always backup what they teach) but you can always get something out of it.

[jdmalm123]

Originally Posted by Al Shades

"Less experienced clients" don't require any high degree of specialized knowledge. They simply need to be drilled in the basics.

There's no point in learning all that material to work with beginners because you'll never get a chance to use it. You will be fighting with fat people just to get their ass into the weight room. You're going to be an adult babysitter.

Go with NSCA.

Good trainers don't specialize in "working with beginners". Good trainers specialize in turning beginners into advanced athletes, as quickly as possible.

Beginners are simply a train wreck in numerous ways. You don't coddle them. You don't put up with their BS. You qualify them, assess them, educate them, and progress them. The goal is to get them out of their newbie mentality as soon as possible. Only when you do that can you really accomplish anything. Your biggest obstacle with these people is always going to be psychological, regardless of how out of shape they are. After all, a pro athlete can take two years off and get completely out of shape, but he has the mentality to whip himself back into shape when the time comes. Average people completely lack that driven, athletic mentality, and that is their biggest fault, by far. I'd rather take on a former athlete at 35% than a current couch potato at 22%.

Anything that NASM could teach you, you can learn on your own in a day of googling "functional training" and "stability ball exercises".

Awesome post, Al.

[muscleandgains]

what do you guys think of issa?? I wanna get my cert also but i do not wanna work in a commercial gym id like to work in a private one.

[WindyKO]

why dun u get NSCA brah? Im doin it too

[muscleandgains]

Originally Posted by WindyKO

why dun u get NSCA brah? Im doin it too

i looked at the website and it confused me , what kind of nsca are you getting?? how much is it?? i think i will get the nsca

[WindyKO]

Originally Posted by muscleandgains

i looked at the website and it confused me , what kind of nsca are you getting?? how much is it?? i think i will get the nsca

yea the website is a bit confusing, not very user friendly. I think the test is around $300, kinda standard for most of the certs. Im getting the NSCA-CPT bcuz I think u need a degree in exercise science from college to get the CSCS. It's like very recognized by all gyms too so thats a plus

[BentTheBar]

Originally Posted by WindyKO

yea the website is a bit confusing, not very user friendly. I think the test is around $300, kinda standard for most of the certs. Im getting the NSCA-CPT bcuz I think u need a degree in exercise science from college to get the CSCS. It's like very recognized by all gyms too so thats a plus

Hey dude,
I am a member of the NSCA and already signed up for the test. It's $100 to join the NSCA, and from there the test of like $300 or so. Or you can not join the NSCA and the test would be like $400 (works out the same either way).

Seriously though, You should get the CPT training text book (http://www.nsca-cc.org/online_store/...ml?pi=71&ci=2). You can find it cheaper online. I would honestly recommend getting the book and studing for a while before even signing up for the test. Once yuo sign up, they give you 4 months to take the test. So that puts you in cram mode. it'd be much easier to get the book, study yout stuff, and then sign up for the test.

Belive me, i'm sayin this from experience. My dumb azz signed up for the test and bought the book at the same time. And I am busy as hell with work, which leaves less time than I originally thought to study. I will just have to take the test before my 4 months are up. I probably wont be ready, so wish i would have bought the book, studied as i had time, and then taken the test once i was fully ready.

~Good luck

[Jay Rawd]

Originally Posted by Al Shades

"Less experienced clients" don't require any high degree of specialized knowledge. They simply need to be drilled in the basics.

There's no point in learning all that material to work with beginners because you'll never get a chance to use it. You will be fighting with fat people just to get their ass into the weight room. You're going to be an adult babysitter.

Go with NSCA.

Good trainers don't specialize in "working with beginners". Good trainers specialize in turning beginners into advanced athletes, as quickly as possible.

Beginners are simply a train wreck in numerous ways. You don't coddle them. You don't put up with their BS. You qualify them, assess them, educate them, and progress them. The goal is to get them out of their newbie mentality as soon as possible. Only when you do that can you really accomplish anything. Your biggest obstacle with these people is always going to be psychological, regardless of how out of shape they are. After all, a pro athlete can take two years off and get completely out of shape, but he has the mentality to whip himself back into shape when the time comes. Average people completely lack that driven, athletic mentality, and that is their biggest fault, by far. I'd rather take on a former athlete at 35% than a current couch potato at 22%.

Anything that NASM could teach you, you can learn on your own in a day of googling "functional training" and "stability ball exercises".

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

My thoughts exactly!

[Jay Rawd]

Originally Posted by dshinton

I disagree.

I have yet to meet a detrained client without postural compensations or a previous joint injury. NASM is based in Physical Therapy techniques and teaches you how to correct and/or work around these.

Having said that, nothing is stopping the OP from getting a NSCA cert and learning phase 0, 1, and 2 of the OPT model. I would recommend at least doing that.

Pfffffft, spend about a whole day at T-Nation and you get all of that plus a laugh or two.