Looking for "fringe" certifications

[benchjock]

At the gym I work at now, I am the go to guy for those clients that most trainers overlook. I have clients from 12-93 years old. Obesity, autism, asburgers, depression, dementia, wheelchair bound, bed bound, cancer survivors, vertigo, partial paralysis, the list goes on....my question is, where would one go to get specifically certified to work with special cases. The ones I'm particularly wanting to obtain are special needs, geriatrics, prenatal, extreme obesity, and adaptive training. I'm currently uncertified, but working to get my NASM CPT, and majoring in exercise science. Any help in guiding me in the right direction to help my clients is much appreciated!

[ericmackcarter]

I recommend the ACSM CPT for you (over NASM). It sounds like you enjoy clinical-type training, whether it is in a clinic setting or not. Once you get your degree, you definitely need to the the ACSM's advanced certification, the ACSM Health Fitness Specialist. This allows you to work with those with medically controlled diseases. Still on the ACSM boat, they have two specialty certifications, the Certified Cancer exercise Trainer and the Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer. The first (obviously) dealing with cancer patients, the second for those clients with special considerations. Finally, NSCA just annouced their Certified Special Population Specialist, which seems to be in your interest and is likely very comparable to the ACSM courses.

HFS: http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-c...ess-specialist
CET: http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-c...ercise-trainer
IFT: http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-i...itness-trainer
CSPS: http://www.nsca-cc.org/csps/

[Cytrainer913]

I recommend the ACSM CPT for you (over NASM). It sounds like you enjoy clinical-type training, whether it is in a clinic setting or not. Once you get your degree, you definitely need to the the ACSM's advanced certification, the ACSM Health Fitness Specialist. This allows you to work with those with medically controlled diseases. Still on the ACSM boat, they have two specialty certifications, the Certified Cancer exercise Trainer and the Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer. The first (obviously) dealing with cancer patients, the second for those clients with special considerations. Finally, NSCA just annouced their Certified Special Population Specialist, which seems to be in your interest and is likely very comparable to the ACSM courses.

HFS: http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-c...ess-specialist
CET: http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-c...ercise-trainer
IFT: http://certification.acsm.org/acsm-i...itness-trainer
CSPS: http://www.nsca-cc.org/csps/

that last one listed above seems to be a very extensive one to get if you can and the NSCA is very good I was thing into checking into it myself.

[JoeCannonMSCSCS]

The NSCA just started a CSPS cert for special populations. you can check it out on the NSCA website.

Since you are in school do check out my website. I blog about personal training issues your textbooks may not cover.
Joe

[benchjock]

Great information! Thank you all so much for your help. I do have full intentions on getting ACSM certified. It's actually the only reason I'm continuing my education at a formal university setting. I'll definitely add those to my goals list, and do whatever's needed to obtain them. Thanks again!

Colby

[Borschtbeet]

I was researching the CSPS certification and it looks like it's prereqs are even higher than the CSCS.

You need a 4 year degree in an exercise related field and you already need to be certified with another NSCA Certification, the CSCS or NSCA-CPT.

[a7stringkilla]

ACE has a Clinical Exercise Specialist Certification which is a special populations cert. Im sure there are gonna be people that are gonna say that ACE sucks but dont buy into that. Look at all options and do what you feel is best for you.