personal trainer certifications

[bandwagon]

been doing some research on PT certs. i am not a PT, but may want to do it in the future, so i am going to get certified just for the overall knowledge it will help me gain regardless.

i am either going to go for the NASM or the ISSA. which do you think is better? if i decide to do personal training, i'd go for the NSCA-CSCS or ACSM next, but (from the feedback i've been getting) those require more of a scientific background than i have right now.

from what i've been finding so far, NASM seems to be more respected than ISSA, but ISSA seems to offer more support before and after getting certified.

for those of you who know what all these crazy acronyms are, please help.

thanks

 

[faller]

I can speak for only ISSA (it's the only one I have). IMO it is pretty good, and pretty well recongized. Are you looking for a full course or just an exam? ISSA is a full course. There should be at least two other threads on this somewhere if you can dig them up.

 

[bandwagon]

full course.. which both NASM and ISSA are.

if anyone knows the strong and/or weakpoints of both courses, i'd really like to know.

 

[bignate73]

NASM is going to talk about assessment, postural correction and core stability. decent emphasis on nutrition. alot on stretching.

ISSA is going to cover nutrition as well. ISSA uses alot of periodization and uses the rep maximum (RM) alot to indicate intensity.

both are good. just different. if you dont know alot about general training, i would go to ISSA. NASM doesnt really talk about basic training, more about dealing with different issues clients will have when starting out etc. its a more "rehab" type cert.

 

[bandwagon]

will probably for for ISSA then to build more of a foundational understanding. thanks!

 

[OfimNedu]

NASM is far superior to ISSA. ACSM is by far the best in the field. The NSCA is also very good and NASM is very good. NASM is very unique, discusses compensation packages and distortions and how to correct them by stretching certain muscles, and strengthening others. It also goes over flexibility in depth including SMR which is pretty cool. If you just want general knowledge ACE and AFAA are very widely recognized. The company I work for doesn't even recognize ISSA. If you're just starting out ACE is a good place to start.

I saw that you're interested in a CSCS or ACSM. ACSM is very clinical and some equate it almost to a degree in the field. Either way it is def. recognized as tops in the field. NASM also offers a PES (Performance Enhancement Specialist), which is similar to a CSCS but if you don't have a degree in the field you have to petition them for special consideration. Hope that helps you out a bit to get you started.

 

[bandwagon]

i want a cert that will give me solid foundational knowledge (in practical aspects of PT and basic anatomy/phsysiology), but is also fairly reputable and practical in case i do decide to be a trainer. i'm willing to study longer for a cert that's harder to obtain, but need the curriculum not to skip too many basics.

would NASM be palatable enough for someone who is a smart cookie, but new to the field?

 

[bignate73]

nasm would be alright, but if you are completely new, i would do ISSA. it will cover pretty much everything. once you are comfortable, NASM is icing on the cake.

 

[casualbb]

The whole NASM take on correcting postural problems is really important and can't be found anywhere else. If I had known that stuff when I started lifting my right leg wouldn't be such a mess now.

That being said though, they do assume you already know a good deal about lifting... I'd agree with nate. Not to be passed over, but either have a lot of basic knowledge or get another more basic cert first.

 

[IronLion]

if you are looking for a more specialized cert, like i was, the ISSA offers about ten specialized courses...I was not the least bit interested in becoming a pt though, I prefer to work with athletes so i did the sports conditioning certification