Need some advice ladies and gentlemen

[SnappinFool]

I am a college graduate (Graduated 2 years in May) and obtained my Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science. I have decided to embark on the adventure of becoming a certified personal trainer/nutritionist. I am seeking advice on who to use to obtain proper certification. Not looking for a place I pay $69.99 to get a paper saying I am certified. I want something that is going to challenge my knowledge of the subject so I can continue learning and growing while obtaining the certifications. My training ability outweighs my Nutrition Knowledge slightly, enough that I would need to study a little more on nutrition before I start giving advice to another individual. Hence, why i want something that is going to challenge me during the journey while obtaining the certification. Any advice that y'all can offer will be GREATLY appreciated!

[KyleAaron]

If you managed a college degree then you know how to research.

Stickies. Search function.

If that still leaves you with questions, come on back and fire away.

[joekingpt]

Obviously I favor NASM (just look at my signature), but I have trainers working for me that are ACE, NCSF, ACSM etc.

If you want a versatile, nationally recognized cert that you can add to and expand upon, then I recommend NASM. If you want to specialize in athletes, then look into the NSCA CSCS (you qualify to take it with your 4-year degree).

I believe there is also a sticky at the top of this forum about the different certs. Good luck!

[SnappinFool]

If you managed a college degree then you know how to research.

Stickies. Search function.

If that still leaves you with questions, come on back and fire away.

Been doing it since I posted this lol.

[SnappinFool]

Obviously I favor NASM (just look at my signature), but I have trainers working for me that are ACE, NCSF, ACSM etc.

If you want a versatile, nationally recognized cert that you can add to and expand upon, then I recommend NASM. If you want to specialize in athletes, then look into the NSCA CSCS (you qualify to take it with your 4-year degree).

I believe there is also a sticky at the top of this forum about the different certs. Good luck!

Thank you for the information provided! Will definitely check out all the information you have provided! Eventually, I want to get into personal training of athletes so I will definitely be looking into the NCSA CSCS.

[joekingpt]

Thank you for the information provided! Will definitely check out all the information you have provided! Eventually, I want to get into personal training of athletes so I will definitely be looking into the NCSA CSCS.

Your welcome. The NASM PES (Performance Enhancement Specialist) allows you to specialize in athletes, although the CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) is known across the industry as the gold standard for training athletes.

[SnappinFool]

Obviously I favor NASM (just look at my signature), but I have trainers working for me that are ACE, NCSF, ACSM etc.

If you want a versatile, nationally recognized cert that you can add to and expand upon, then I recommend NASM. If you want to specialize in athletes, then look into the NSCA CSCS (you qualify to take it with your 4-year degree).

I believe there is also a sticky at the top of this forum about the different certs. Good luck!

With this said, should I obtain my CPT first and then build upon it with the PES, FNS, etc if I decide to go with NASM. Or will going with just the NSCA CSCS be enough to get me in the door as a personal trainer and on to athletes once I have built my resume? I have seen all over that the trainer makes the certification not the other way around, but also want something that has some power behind it once I begin to move forward.

[joekingpt]

With this said, should I obtain my CPT first and then build upon it with the PES, FNS, etc if I decide to go with NASM. Or will going with just the NSCA CSCS be enough to get me in the door as a personal trainer and on to athletes once I have built my resume? I have seen all over that the trainer makes the certification not the other way around, but also want something that has some power behind it once I begin to move forward.

I would get a CPT first, this will better prepare you to be exposed to a variety of populations, not just athletes. That will give you a solid platform to build off of.

[SnappinFool]

I would get a CPT first, this will better prepare you to be exposed to a variety of populations, not just athletes. That will give you a solid platform to build off of.

That's what I was thinking, Thank you!