Advice on Personal Training Certification

[strong island]

Have done a search and I never knew how many organizations there were. Help me out with this. So far this is what I have learned ...please correct me if I am wrong.

ACSM: need degree(I don't have a degree in the field)
NSCA: Better for team training
ISSA: need degree?
NFPT: ?
ISSA: This one sound great. Feel I might learn from this one.
ACE: heard the test is a joke, but its nationally recognized and cheap.
NASM: ?

Is ISSA nationally recognized? I am leaning towards this one.

I am thinking about training a few hours a day for extra cash.

*posted on anabolic board cause more members frequent here.*

 

[TheStromba]

Bump-itty Bump

 

[Tombstonealley]

My ranking when I hire:
#1 Practical knowledge
#2 Experience
#3 Personality
#4 Education
#5 Certification
#6 References

As far a Certifications go:
#1 ASCM-most in depth exam
#2 NSCA-CSCS-very good exam
#3 ACE-good for general fitness-but most importantly highly recognizable.
#4 ALL other NATIONAL Certifications
#5 Local Certifications

 

[PerfectRep]

I have NASM and in my experience most people in the business hold it in higher regard than ACE, but I'd rank them

1. ACSM
2. NASM
3. NSCA
4. ACE

I don't think you can really put CSCS in that grouping because it isn't actually specific to personal training per se, but it is also VERY good.

 

[strong island]

Ok...ACSM says that you need a degree in a health field.

But NSCA, CSCS says "To be eligible to take the exam, you must hold a BA/BS degree, be enrolled as a college senior at an accredited college or university, or hold a degree in chiropractic medicine, and be CPR certified."

Now it doesn't say health field. I have a BS in Business.

Did they fail to mention that it should be a degree in health or do they just want ANY degree???

Otherwise I'll just go ACE.

 

[HighIntensity]

200 bucks for aces and youll get any PT job

degree gets you in the door but other factors get you the job

 

[c3bodybuilding]

I would say go for the ISSA. They require you to have a cpr certification, but thats no big deal. The ISSA has different 'levels'. You can gain more credentials if you ever go to college. It's a nice option. Also they have a free seminar in every big city where you have the option to take the test there. The books are first rate, and lot's of information. I've seen test where they only want you to take pics of yourself performing an exercise, mail them in, and you got a degree. Not there, the test is long, and hard at times, but it's worth it in the end. I would say it's one of the better programs out there, and one of the most respected. Good luck in whatever choice you decide to make. - C3

 

[strong island]

NASM sounds better than ACE.

I don't just want a piece of paper. I would like the studying to benefit me. I would like to learn.

From what I have read ACE is garbage. Their methodology is "old school."

Now ISSA sounds tough BUT I feel I will learn a lot.

BUT does ISSA get respect.

 

[Mike P.T.]

From what I have read ACE is garbage. Their methodology is "old school."

Now ISSA sounds tough BUT I feel I will learn a lot.

BUT does ISSA get respect.

I wouldn't say garbage but I agree with you on the "old school" aspect of it. One of my co-workers when I worked at Bally's who was certified with ACE showed me the book and everything and I thought it's good for overall basic knowledge but too "old school." Science never stands still and new discoveries are made all the time. This is where I.S.S.A. fits in. They are based on updated techniques and as C3 said you have different levels on which to move up with. They also have different courses afterwards in which you can study more specifially such as Performance Nutrition and Fitness Therapy to name a few. You won't be dissapointed with them. Oh and even though they have not been around as long as ACE, yes, they definately do get respect.

 

[HighIntensity]

fellas fellas

while yes there is substancial merit in a program that educates you on the very latest in fitness science and kinetics. And as a PT it is essential to have a good background in not only weight training, but correct stretching tech, rehab info, cardio knowledge ect. Because training a 19-22 year old who wants to get big is easy but training a 55 year old women with an athric hip and free off knee surgey takes a true education...

that being said, I feel alot of training is hands on job experince supplemented with updated seminars...this is how I become a good PT and yes I have an aces degree, why shell out big bucks when you can learn by educateing yourself.