To all you Personal Trainers! HELP!

[TinaC]

Hello all,

I am considering getting my personal training certification and trying to get my foot in the door in the Fitness and Nutrition career field. I am probably going to get my cert through ACE and I am about to order the study material. Does anyone have any advice on the exam, ACE, other certs, how hard the exam is, preparation, employement ideas for experience while I am preparing for the exam, etc??? Any advice or info would be helpful, my only source of info is via Google. Thanks you guys!

[BigStew]

I just sent your a Private Message trying to answer as much as I could. If you have any more questions just ask

[abeachparty]

My wife got certified as a Personal Trainer, about a year ago, through AFAA. She studied a few months for the certification test, and passed the written part of it with flying colors (96% correct, I think). However, she got nervous and made a mistake on the practical part, so she failed that. She retook and passed it a few months later.

I think that AFAA has additional certifications in specific specialty areas as well. I know that overall my wife has been pleased with the organization. Their group liability insurance was affordable, too, and a great thing to have.

[gfundaro]

Originally Posted by TinaC

Hello all,

I am considering getting my personal training certification and trying to get my foot in the door in the Fitness and Nutrition career field. I am probably going to get my cert through ACE and I am about to order the study material. Does anyone have any advice on the exam, ACE, other certs, how hard the exam is, preparation, employement ideas for experience while I am preparing for the exam, etc??? Any advice or info would be helpful, my only source of info is via Google. Thanks you guys!

From what I've gathered talking to trainers and looking at the different associations, ACE's exam is easier than some others, and much less expensive. Make sure to still give yourself months of prep, because it's costly to retake the exam, and it covers a wide range of information. You could work at the front desk in a gym, but you won't be able to teach classes or give lessons without certification. You will also have to be CPR certified before you can get your ACE certification.
I'll be getting my degree and Commercial/Corporate Fitness, and already I am seeing the hierarchy of certifications coming through. NSCA is probably the top certification as far as reputation in my area, ACE is near the bottom. I'm not trying to be offensive or anything, and I haven't even decided where I want to go, and NSCA is more expensive and difficult than any other exams I've heard of. So don't be surprised if people have something to say about your cert., because the reputations of these organizations seem to have saturated the fitness world, and there is some animosity between them.
That's just what I've gathered so far from the trainers and competitors I've been exposed to

[Giggy]

Originally Posted by BigStew

I just sent your a Private Message trying to answer as much as I could. If you have any more questions just ask

Can you send me the info too? I'm interested in what you have to say about this subject.

Thanks

[Goal_FN]

It's been awhile, but I just read your message. I'm finishing my CFT training through ISSA. The exam is intensive... there are essays and case studies you have to complete. But overall you learn as much as a book can teach you. You'll find that no matter what program you decide to go with your personal experience will ultimately help you more than any book can. They've been really, really supportive and they're always there to help. It's been a great experience, and totally worth it! Be sure to give yourself plenty of study time because you'll need it!

Good luck to you!
Katie
www.goalfitnessandnutrition.com
"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."
-Epictetus

[TinaC]

Originally Posted by Goal_FN

It's been awhile, but I just read your message. I'm finishing my CFT training through ISSA. The exam is intensive... there are essays and case studies you have to complete. But overall you learn as much as a book can teach you. You'll find that no matter what program you decide to go with your personal experience will ultimately help you more than any book can. They've been really, really supportive and they're always there to help. It's been a great experience, and totally worth it! Be sure to give yourself plenty of study time because you'll need it!

Good luck to you!
Katie
www.goalfitnessandnutrition.com
"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."
-Epictetus

Thanks for the response. ISSA is online right? I ordered my study material for ACE.