QUESTION: Which certificates are the best?

[rcarr12]

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....

AFAA allows an individual to take the exam without taking their course, I don't remember the price I was quoted, but I don't think it was too unreasonable.

[imweasel]

Can anybody help me out?

There's a seminar or something like that coming near me that I'm thinking about signing up for.

http://www.isfta.com/ - That's their website, I've been doing some searching and can't find anything bad, but I also haven't found anything about people getting jobs with their cert and I don't want to waste 300 bucks on something that is not going to make me money.

[blkbelt42]

Can anybody help me out?

There's a seminar or something like that coming near me that I'm thinking about signing up for.

http://www.isfta.com/ - That's their website, I've been doing some searching and can't find anything bad, but I also haven't found anything about people getting jobs with their cert and I don't want to waste 300 bucks on something that is not going to make me money.

As far as getting started i didn't really think the particular cert mattered, as long as you were certified.

[mattCPT]

Hey Mike,
I currently have the NASM, ACSM and NSCA-CPT certs. Also studying for the PTA Global cert.

[branddon]

[QUOTE=Mythic Beast;219461231]Here's a list of other recognized certifications, feel free to add more.


ACE



ISSA



NATA



NCSF



NPTI



I've also read many reviews on NPTI, it seems to be legit. I actually plan to attend there next fall. Ace is also a nationally recognized place to become certified.

[rollinsband2002]

I'm confused about the NASM website...is there any hands-on, in-the-gym training? Or is it all textbook and media aids?

[bbush36571]

I am currently working and finishing my ISSA CFT certification, and it is a beast. Very detailed though. Hoping to be a trainer in the next few months and start doing it on the side at my apartment complex. Plus it sure keeps you motivated to be in your best shape.

[Gilgal52]

If I am a certified personal trainer through an accredited organization and I want to teach aerobics, bootcamp, step, etc. is it really necessary for me to become certified as a group instructor?? I know it may defend on the gym, but overall. I can't seem to find an answer to this.

[bahumutzero]

Anybody know of any of those certs that accept the post 911 G.I. bill? i have heard rumors that some do but which ones i dont know?

[askthetrainer]

If I am a certified personal trainer through an accredited organization and I want to teach aerobics, bootcamp, step, etc. is it really necessary for me to become certified as a group instructor?? I know it may defend on the gym, but overall. I can't seem to find an answer to this.

This is probably more likely an issue with liability. A club insures the trainer's it employs as 1-on-1 trainers and I think most independent trainers' insurance is the same.

Therefore check w/ the club and/or your cert/insurance provider what the deal is because you don't want to get sued.

[GymCat365]

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.

Sad but true...is he able to insure himself though?

[MeanLavin]

Nasm nsca acsm are top 3

[J-Wa]

There is no certification that is "best". It depends where you want to work. ACSM's knowledge base focuses on high risk clients, who present various health issues, emphasizing risk stratification. It's very medical based, unfortunately lacking exercise program design. This certification is great for those who want to work in corporate wellness, and hospital settings. NASM uses their own training model to help trainers create programs specific to their client's needs. It focuses on program design. This knowledge seems to be most useful in commercial gym and general fitness settings. I say all of this from my experience as both a commercial gym personal trainer, and a corporate wellness general manager. I am a ACSM-CPT and found that NASM's knowledge would have been more useful myduring time in commercial gyms.

[Dysfunqtional]

I talked to a guy who does rehab at a local chiropractor and he has a ISSA certification as well as HMO certification to run x-rays (he said that is enough for most places that aren't hospitals). Would I be fine with just those two for that type of job or would it benefit me to get NSCA or NASM certified as well? ISSA also offers a exercise therapy certification that might do well with that field in mind more than just training in a gym.

here is a little info on the Exercise Therapy certification:

http://www.issaonline.com/certificat...certification/

[sword555712]

I'm in the military and stationed overseas. The gym on base here is expanding and they're looking for trainers. The "trainers" they have so far are awful, and consist of a couple guys who hang out in the office and a couple 18yr old girls who gossip at the front desk and literally can't even show you how to ue the machines (my wife asked them for fun). There is no actual "training" involved with these people...

Anyway, the gym is expanding their group classes now that it's expanding, and my wife is thinking about getting a job there, since she would actually give a **** about training people, unlike the people already there. All the certification classes they are offerring are AFAA classes. They gym is trying to replace Les Mills with other group classes.

Is AFAA going to be worth the money? Will she be able to carry this over into a job back in the states? She's more interested in trying to teach group classes than being an in-the-weightroom trainer.

[Arkadian]

Any of these courses allow me to just take the test? Or am i having to study their materials and then take their test in like some kind of package deal. Im looking to just get maybe a personal trainers handbook, study then go test with a association of my choice if possible.

[NeoginCF]

Does any of these certificates get appreciated in europe, that you know of?
Do they allow minors to get them, turning 17 this year?

I'd appreciate the info

[JulianBee]

Any of these courses allow me to just take the test? Or am i having to study their materials and then take their test in like some kind of package deal. Im looking to just get maybe a personal trainers handbook, study then go test with a association of my choice if possible.

Most of the certifying agencies will let you just take the test. Check out their websites and there should be more information regarding that.

[rdougy]

It's funny that you mention a four year cert--Purdue is now offering a 4-year degree in Personal Training!!

Seems a little excessive to me--what do you guys think about that..?

Here in Oz, you need to have minimum Certificate III in Fitness which goves you the qual to teach Group Fitness. Certificate IV is for Personal Training and then Diploma in Fitness. C III and IV are six month courses with the Diploma 12 months.

Boot Camps need an extra Certification, to instruct BodyBuilding there arent that many specific courses to instruct, a level 1 Strength and Conditioning course needs 12 months as the level 1 and then mentored by a Level 2 coach to advance to the Level 2 course.

Some courses in Australia dont hold that much credence with Employers and Senior Personal Trainers. Courses that give you C III and C IV in 10 weeks to make you a Master Trainer dont hold a lot of water. These guys try and get big money and wonder why the guys who have done 5 - 10 years or more in the industry get a bad name from these guys.

Batchelor of Physical Education is for PhysEd teachers and wont get you a job in the Australian industry. Australian Colege of Physical Education now offers Batchelor of Applied Fitness which is the C III/ IV and Diploma course combined in three years.

Go Hard or Go Home! Train hard, Fight Easy!

[jenk264]

First two years will be your gen ed. requirements just like your typical bachelors program. Last two will be PT program..so not really excessive just maybe more in-depth than typical training prgrams.

It's funny that you mention a four year cert--Purdue is now offering a 4-year degree in Personal Training!!

Seems a little excessive to me--what do you guys think about that..?

[RockingGoat]

awesome

[sgtmom1]

A good certification by industry standards requires some kind of formal education (AS, BS, MS, etc) or some kind of prep course prior to the actual course. Most entry level certifying exams are now proctored (ACSM, ACE, NSCA, and NASM)their advanced certs can be online testing. They also require CPR and AED Cert too. I had thisbefore they required t Iam witing for the insurnce proof requirement to become apart of that.

GI Bill will pay you back a proated portion they determine the amount they will pay you. You hav o go to their website and look for the cert you want to find out how much.

AFAA is a reputable organization and will trasfer back to the US no problem. But if you are Air Force-Look at Cooper seriously, the guy was in the Air Force when he was doing his research.

My only wish if that the VA woul reimburse Vets for gym fees and CPT Fees. Much better to shore up good health, than trying to pull them out of the bad back to the good.

Good luck ya'll- getting ready to take the NASM-CES tomorrow(today)

MS, NASM-CPT/PES
CFNS/CFKNS

[oliver241280]

Do you know a good certification for personal trainers, fitness or bodybuilding online? I want to get a certification, but I live in Venezuela and we don't have any institution wich prepares personal trainers, so I decided to look for the best online certification.

[sgtmom1]

You need to know the muscle actions. It was not easy. I had to study between kids and my deployed husband. But hands down I do believe NASM-CPT is great for the commercial and private gym setting. The NASM-PES is great for working with athletes.The NASM-CES is great for working with those who are under Dr care or are referred to you to help them continue to improve their funcional capacity. I still want to get the NSCA-CSCS. NSCA is great for the actual practical application of the science. Would not mind the ACSM cert for th straight science. Just being a member of those organizations and access to their studies is a great boone of information. IF I was applying at the local Air force base I'd do Cooper.

Oh something to think about a GOOD trainer does not try to train themselves they get help from their fellow professionals. I have found this to be best for me.

Good luck all.

[askthetrainer]

Just found a new one... anyone have any experience w/ this one?

http://www.acptcertification.com/

[LeanGain]

how is NPTI compare. I looked at their website and like that it has500 hours of actuall "class time" the rest seem to just be test passing accreditations. However it doesn't seem to be nationally recognized or accepted forms of certification from any gyms or training facilities.
It sounds like a waste of $6,300 for not getting certified by the big 3.
any thoughts on NPTI.

NPTI expensive yes but class room work split with gym work is great.
1 thing that made it worthwhile is the job connections, my teacher still gives me
advice on my PT business. NASM is great, it you train at a gym and get a wide variety of clients who all have some sort of pain...NASM is very functional and they have a corrective exercise program great for the general public. All pricey but worth it if you stick with it.
NSCA of you want athletes......+ the vegas convention in a few months.

[meremichele]

I dont know about a 4 year degree since a lot of knowledge comes with experience, but I have heard a lot about requiring licensure for PTs so just not anyone can claim to be one. I am thinking that's not a bad idea

[simmer]

Thanks, Trainer Jo. Good info.

[simmer]

I've gotten about 1/2 way through this thread and everyone has so many opinions on certifications...if i'm just wanting to work out of a gym (a local gym and a golds in particular near my home) and wanna do it part time...WHICH is the best certification for the money? NASM seems really expensive and you seem to get the same recognition from ISSA or ACE...can someone send me in the right direction please?

Ask your gym what they require.

[M.E. Anderson]

ACSM is by far the best certification and most widely recognized in the US. (I also have ISSA and ACE.)