NASM or ISSA trainer certification? (Srs)

[LethalGunz34]

Which one is better or are both pretty much the same? Is there an even better one out there?

[Broady78]

I'm working towards by certification...I asked my boss at the gym...I work there pt...He said NASM is a more respected than ISSA....If you go through bb.com and buy the pt package NASM will give ya a discount. Good luck bro.

[LethalGunz34]

I'm working towards by certification...I asked my boss at the gym...I work there pt...He said NASM is a more respected than ISSA....If you go through bb.com and buy the pt package NASM will give ya a discount. Good luck bro.

Link to the bb.com NASM PT package by any chance?

[XPmpnII]

There was a running thread on here for the longest time on how to study and prep for the NASM exam, that how serious it is within the community.

Need this link or some current info on how to prepare for it…. I bought the textbook like a year ago but i never took the test

[Basedbaby]

Is it worth doing? Seems like all the trainers at my gym are constantly begging for new clients.

[guest89]

Unless you're worried about respect in the 'trainer' community or are trying to work for a specific gym/company. I don't think it matters.


The gym I go to has 10 trainers. They put up their pictures and their certifications/back grounds on a screen that runs through and plays on a TV for new people. The funny thing is, the people with a ton of certifications, college degrees, etc. are DYEL mode and don't have as many clients as the three that just have a single ISSA. Out of those three (2 guys 1 girl). All are enhanced and are methodical about their diet/training. They just blow all the other trainers away in terms of physiques. Literally nobody cares about the certs. 1 competes in PL (but is aesthetic af) another BBing and the girl crossfit.


I'll also say I know a few 'trainers' that are highly successful working for themselves. And they don't even have any certifications listed on their social media. They just look good as ****. Market themselves well on social media. And are really personable so they get lots of referrals from clients.



My sister doesn't even have any certs or social media. Just methodical about her diet and lifts 2x per week, Yoga 2x per week and hikes mountains 2x per week. Gets cold approached by people in the gym regularly about training them. Just based on her physique. Enough to make a living. Without any formal training or certs in that industry.

[LethalGunz34]

Unless you're worried about respect in the 'trainer' community or are trying to work for a specific gym/company. I don't think it matters.


The gym I go to has 10 trainers. They put up their pictures and their certifications/back grounds on a screen that runs through and plays on a TV for new people. The funny thing is, the people with a ton of certifications, college degrees, etc. are DYEL mode and don't have as many clients as the three that just have a single ISSA. Out of those three (2 guys 1 girl). All are enhanced and are methodical about their diet/training. They just blow all the other trainers away in terms of physiques. Literally nobody cares about the certs. 1 competes in PL (but is aesthetic af) another BBing and the girl crossfit.


I'll also say I know a few 'trainers' that are highly successful working for themselves. And they don't even have any certifications listed on their social media. They just look good as ****. Market themselves well on social media. And are really personable so they get lots of referrals from clients.



My sister doesn't even have any certs or social media. Just methodical about her diet and lifts 2x per week, Yoga 2x per week and hikes mountains 2x per week. Gets cold approached by people in the gym regularly about training them. Just based on her physique. Enough to make a living. Without any formal training or certs in that industry.

Wouldn’t they need permission from gyms to train clients there? From a business prospective, I don’t think most gyms would allow it.

[WoofieNugget]

Honestly, at the end of the day it doesn't matter at all to your clients. Pick whichever one is cheaper and easier to get, and I believe NASM is the one.

I've been a trainer for twenty years and I don't think I've ever had a client comment on my various certs and courses, I just make sure to have them listed on my web site. Literally nobody cares, and even gyms don't care as long as you have one and you can show you can sell yourself. I used to think at the beginning it made a difference but it honestly doesn't.

[AWSbruh]

None unless you want to make minimum wage lol. Being a personal trainer is a waste of time

[WoofieNugget]

None unless you want to make minimum wage lol. Being a personal trainer is a waste of time

I've made six figures multiple years as an independent trainer working less than 30 hour weeks.

[Basedbaby]

I'm mentioning all of this as someone who has made thousands upon thousands on the side as a certified trainer in a gym and on side agreements where the money flows freely as you name your price per session

How did you manage that do you have a sick physique?

[Tedtatas]

It makes absolutely no difference go with the quicker cheaper option. Nasm has a certain curriculum they want you to learn that's ideal but it ain't sheet.

Any commercial gym will hire you, especially if you look the part. The thing is, say they give you 25$ hr, it doesn't work out to that. You may have a client or 2 for the first hour, then an hour later 2,3 and then 3_4 hours later another 2,3. It is cool if you love the lifestyle and eat your meals and get your lifting in, but your essentially sort of stuck there for many hours without full time pay.

Those same clients are paying the gym150$ a month and get say 2_4 half hour sessions a month. A half hour sessions cant really do anything but smoke em, not much time to get any routine or fundamentals down.

Eventually if you stay long you will get more clients and you can also approach randos and see if they'd like to try you for a session.

The real money is you getting yourself built like a brick **** house, showing some impressive client transformations and honestly competing yourself. If you get a few shots from a show all lubed up and pumped people will be more inclined to come to you and stay with you, especially aspiring competitors.

Eventually you just wanna train people without the gym being the middle man, check out the area there may be private gyms that you can pay a monthly fee to bring clients to. That's where the $ is, online coaching and what not.

Like I said it's cool intro and you come across a lot of unique problems with individuals but you gotta be in it for yourself at some point

[gmenfan40]

No thanks. I rather be a tradie than train some fat fukks who aren't serious and will quit after a month. (Super Ded fkn Srs)

[Basedbaby]

Having the physique is a must to get people on board, you wouldn't want someone who is overweight being your dietitian amirite?

Most of the trainers at my gym are dyel and constantly begging for new clients. I always wondered if it’s be easy money for someone with a sick physique. It’s be a win win for me I can capitalize on lifting/gym which is the only part of life I enjoy and I could quit my bull**** ass job I have now.

[LethalGunz34]

Most of the trainers at my gym are dyel and constantly begging for new clients. I always wondered if it’s be easy money for someone with a sick physique. It’s be a win win for me I can capitalize on lifting/gym which is the only part of life I enjoy and I could quit my bull**** ass job I have now.

Do what you love.

[LethalGunz34]

Are any of the personal self study packages that NASM offers below even worth it or is it just a marketing tool that they use?

https://www.nasm.org/become-a-personal-trainer

[WoofieNugget]

Any tips on going private?

edit: or independent

Indy trainers have it harder because at a chain gym, you have a steady flow of new prospects coming in and if you're good then they will want you. But your hourly rate is lower so you have to work more hours.

My advice to any independent trainer is that you need to have a niche - and it needs to not be "weight loss" because everyone does that - and you need to constantly be networking because referrals are golden. You also need excellent customer service so that you retain the clients you have. Most of my clients are with me an average of 5 plus years seeing me regularly at least once a week. Make your rates competitive based on your area so that price isn't a factor, at least at the beginning.

Also, focus on where the clients are that can afford training. My niche is injury management and special conditions, and most of my clients are 50+ and wealthy. Don't target people like bodybuilders and young people because they have no money. Unless you're very qualified ie. an NPC pro/at least Div 1 athlete and can attract online clients and wealthier demographics.

[guest89]

There's a pretty good chance you'll be declined for insurance coverage if you're not certified in any form whatsoever.

Wouldn’t they need permission from gyms to train clients there? From a business prospective, I don’t think most gyms would allow it.

Yea, you most likely wouldn't be hired from a gym without your certifications.

Their liability to have you on staff as a paid trainer comes with the idea that you're formally trained

Precisely why I said unless you are interested in working at a specific gym... Even then the form of certification usually doesn't matter as long as you have some kind.


Customers/clients are really only interested in what you look like/your charisma/energy. Because of this I think your specific certifications are the least important things you bring to the table. Get the bare minimum to get started and just focus on building a good social network and learn how to make people feel good about training with you.



I've talked to some people that nerd out hard over different certifications and all that jazz and it never translated over for them into building a solid customer base and building a brand/going independent.

[WoofieNugget]

I know some independent trainers that pay the gym rent and train their own clients, but even that doesn't seem worth it. I really want to buy a house so I can have a garage gym vs a basement gym, but I'll see how far I can go with it

It can be worth it if the location is good and it's big enough that multiple trainers can work without being in each others' way. I've trained at a few locations before moving my gym into my house and one was massive with tons of equipment, which was ideal. One was pretty small and even though there were only two other trainers there, it was still annoying. You also have to look at the going rate in your area. I paid a flat rate because I was busy enough to max out hours, but most places will also let you pay per session if you're only part time.

[LethalGunz34]

Are any of the personal self study packages that NASM offers below even worth it or is it just a marketing tool that they use?

https://www.nasm.org/become-a-personal-trainer

Bump.

[LethalGunz34]

Bump.

Pump.

[Azrairc]

dont worry about the cert and self study marketing, communication instead

hardest part of being a PT, massage therapist, etc is separating people from their hard earned dollars consistently

[dopamine72]

Its good info to know, even really experienced bros don't know all the chit on the NASM test

Too bad its expensive and expires after two years

I have clients w/ out all those certs since all mine expired years ago and its a waste for me to continuously spend money on renewing them (feels scammy)