Personal Training Certification Help

[LeanMaShane]

I am looking to get into Personal Training, but I'm tangled between hat certification to get? I heard a lot of good things about NASM, but also that the test is hard. I could do a 6 month course at my Community College for the NSCA certification.. if anyone has taken the NASM or is currently doing it please help! as well as any other certifications?
Thanks!

 

[ZiR RED]

Honestly, as a long time professional within the industry, as long as your certificate is NASM, NSCA, or ACSM it shouldn't matter much.

ACSM is probably best if you plan to work with people who have slight medical conditions (i.e.: baby boomers with high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.)
NASM is good all around, especially if you want to work with average joes/janes.
NSCA might be most appropriate if you plan to work with athletes.

Beyond that, it is experience, further education (attend conferences, seminars, read read read...and not BS blogs, but books by authors with experience and credentials), and the ability to market yourself.

 

[jimbuick]

Honestly, as a long time professional within the industry, as long as your certificate is NASM, NSCA, or ACSM it shouldn't matter much.

ACSM is probably best if you plan to work with people who have slight medical conditions (i.e.: baby boomers with high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.)
NASM is good all around, especially if you want to work with average joes/janes.
NSCA might be most appropriate if you plan to work with athletes.

Beyond that, it is experience, further education (attend conferences, seminars, read read read...and not BS blogs, but books by authors with experience and credentials), and the ability to market yourself.

What's your position on degrees for this field?

I know you have a doctorate, but how much of a difference does it make for you?

 

[ZiR RED]

Good question. I don't think a doctorate is needed to be a successful physical performance specialist. My Ph.D. allows me to work as a professor and conduct meaningful research within the realm of human performance.

I think a knowledge of exercise science is needed, such as a BS that covers anatomy, physiology, exercise science (especially energy systems), and kinesiology/basic biomechanics. From there, I'd say you need to tailor what you want to learn to what you want to do. Some schools are heavily focused on cardiac rehab or pre-professional versions of exercise science. Others are focused more on strength/conditioning or performance.

 

[jimbuick]

Good question. I don't think a doctorate is needed to be a successful physical performance specialist. My Ph.D. allows me to work as a professor and conduct meaningful research within the realm of human performance.

I think a knowledge of exercise science is needed, such as a BS that covers anatomy, physiology, exercise science (especially energy systems), and kinesiology/basic biomechanics. From there, I'd say you need to tailor what you want to learn to what you want to do. Some schools are heavily focused on cardiac rehab or pre-professional versions of exercise science. Others are focused more on strength/conditioning or performance.

So assuming I go to college with the goal in mind of getting my degree in exercise science with strength/conditioning or performance in mind. Which schools would be best for this, if you know any off the top of your head.

Ultimately, I'd like to coach football if at all possible. I actually have plans to open a gym (similar to DeFrancos in equipment) and am wondering what type of degree/training would be best to work with those types of athletes.

 

[Rodja]

So assuming I go to college with the goal in mind of getting my degree in exercise science with strength/conditioning or performance in mind. Which schools would be best for this, if you know any off the top of your head.

Ultimately, I'd like to coach football if at all possible. I actually have plans to open a gym (similar to DeFrancos in equipment) and am wondering what type of degree/training would be best to work with those types of athletes.

My experience is that the curriculum that is prevalent within academia contains myopic information regarding training and doesn't delve into how different each sports particular energy system needs, season length, macrocycles, etc. For example, the NSCA only teaches one particular style of periodization, which is linear aka Western periodization. The degree you get and where you go for it is, more or less, irrelevant. The important part is to never stop learning and to gain the tools on how to obtain/acquire information. Don't get me wrong; they're are some damn good S&C professors out there, but most of them have barely spent any time in the gym and only have paper knowledge.

 

[jimbuick]

My experience is that the curriculum that is prevalent within academia contains myopic information regarding training and doesn't delve into how different each sports particular energy system needs, season length, macrocycles, etc. For example, the NSCA only teaches one particular style of periodization, which is linear aka Western periodization. The degree you get and where you go for it is, more or less, irrelevant. The important part is to never stop learning and to gain the tools on how to obtain/acquire information. Don't get me wrong; they're are some damn good S&C professors out there, but most of them have barely spent any time in the gym and only have paper knowledge.

I understand that, and see it a lot actually.

I guess I was just wondering if there were any that were more applicable than others.

I didn't know that about the NSCA, are most of the associations for those certifications like that? I had been thinking about getting the CSCS from them actually.

 

[Rodja]

I understand that, and see it a lot actually.

I guess I was just wondering if there were any that were more applicable than others.

I didn't know that about the NSCA, are most of the associations for those certifications like that? I had been thinking about getting the CSCS from them actually.

The undergrad programs are going to be very similar amongst institutions. It's the grad programs that are going to have different directions. I only have solid experience with the NSCA, so I can't comment on the other upper-level certifications.

 

[LeanMaShane]

The undergrad programs are going to be very similar amongst institutions. It's the grad programs that are going to have different directions. I only have solid experience with the NSCA, so I can't comment on the other upper-level certifications.

That's what my college offers is the NSCA. it's a 6 month program and then 48 hours internship at a gym. I am interested in possibly helping out my old highschool football team with their weight lifting and strength/speed training.

 

[Rodja]

That's what my college offers is the NSCA. it's a 6 month program and then 48 hours internship at a gym. I am interested in possibly helping out my old highschool football team with their weight lifting and strength/speed training.

You don't need a 6 month course. Buy the materials, study them, and take the test.

 

[LeanMaShane]

You don't need a 6 month course. Buy the materials, study them, and take the test.

Is that what you did?

 

[Rodja]

Is that what you did?

Yes. When I took it (and I don't think it's changed too much), the test was 40% ex phys, 40% technique, 10% legal issues, and 10% special needs.

 

[LeanMaShane]

Yes. When I took it (and I don't think it's changed too much), the test was 40% ex phys, 40% technique, 10% legal issues, and 10% special needs.

hmm, but the question is how much was it? I know NASM is pretty expensive. But if I can find something cheaper then school and NASM then I'm in lol it has to be legit though!

 

[Rodja]

hmm, but the question is how much was it? I know NASM is pretty expensive. But if I can find something cheaper then school and NASM then I'm in lol it has to be legit though!

NSCA cost me ~$450.

 

[LeanMaShane]

NSCA cost me ~$450.

on the NSCA website? or from some other site?

 

[Rodja]

on the NSCA website? or from some other site?

Their site.

 

[ZiR RED]

I understand that, and see it a lot actually.

I guess I was just wondering if there were any that were more applicable than others.

I didn't know that about the NSCA, are most of the associations for those certifications like that? I had been thinking about getting the CSCS from them actually.

Check out schools that have good Masters or Bachelors strength and conditioning degrees.

Three come to mind off the top of my head.

Springfield College, MA (I am a bit biased, I went there). I know there are two faculty on hand who are real strength guys. One is Dr. Thompson, the other is Dr. Davidson, who is a national level strong man competitor in the 185 pound class. He is actually competing at the Arnold, I learned an umpteen amount of info from these guys. They also have one of the best strength and conditioning masters programs in the country.

University of Connecticut. Has a bachelors exercise science track strength and conditioning degree and a masters with a focus on S&C. Eric Cressey and a number of other good coaches came out of here.

Eastern Tennessee State University and Florida Atlantic (or International, can't remember) University. Also has a really good strength and conditioning masters program. though I dont know as much about either.

Br

 

[LeanMaShane]

Thinking about just buying the NSCA strength and conditioning textbook from my local Barnes and noble and just study my ass off and then buy the exam and take it lol way cheaper

 

[napalm]

ebay is your friend here. i got mine for $65 new

 

[LeanMaShane]

ebay is your friend here. i got mine for $65 new

I was just looking some up! do I have to have a CPR certification? I can get a health care provider certification for free at my buddy's fire department I think that should count for CPR cert

 

[napalm]

cpr with aed

 

[jimbuick]

cpr with aed

Which means ill probably have to recertify.

Dang.

 

[LeanMaShane]

cpr with aed

Would those be in a healthcare provider cert?

 

[LeanMaShane]

Which means ill probably have to recertify.

Dang.

oh yeah lol I think every year!

 

[jimbuick]

oh yeah lol I think every year!

Well I wasn't going to if I didn't need it for anything.

 

[ZiR RED]

Would those be in a healthcare provider cert?

Yes, I actually got the same certification the first time around. I believe its about the highest you can get from a one time course.

 

[napalm]

Would those be in a healthcare provider cert?

not sure, best to check it out before hand

 

[LeanMaShane]

Yes, I actually got the same certification the first time around. I believe its about the highest you can get from a one time course.

Yes that's what I heard also! cool.

 

[Jiigzz]

If I can chime in; don't just study what you need to know to pass, i.e. don't just learn the bare minimum required; insted learn what you don't need to know as well, that way when you look at new topics or hear new information you have a much bigger picture to view it from.

The more you learn, ultimately the better you will be

 

[bolt10]

Honestly, as a long time professional within the industry, as long as your certificate is NASM, NSCA, or ACSM it shouldn't matter much.

ACSM is probably best if you plan to work with people who have slight medical conditions (i.e.: baby boomers with high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.)
NASM is good all around, especially if you want to work with average joes/janes.
NSCA might be most appropriate if you plan to work with athletes.

Beyond that, it is experience, further education (attend conferences, seminars, read read read...and not BS blogs, but books by authors with experience and credentials), and the ability to market yourself.

This is a very good summary and game plan for those looking into things. My cert is from NASM because most of the gyms around here preferred that certification (idk why just based on those I talked to in the area). The three mentioned here should be enough for most places.

Our schools curriculum was based off ACSM so I went with the NASM just to get a different experience for my studying.

My experience is that the curriculum that is prevalent within academia contains myopic information regarding training and doesn't delve into how different each sports particular energy system needs, season length, macrocycles, etc. For example, the NSCA only teaches one particular style of periodization, which is linear aka Western periodization. The degree you get and where you go for it is, more or less, irrelevant. The important part is to never stop learning and to gain the tools on how to obtain/acquire information. Don't get me wrong; they're are some damn good S&C professors out there, but most of them have barely spent any time in the gym and only have paper knowledge.

This x100. We spent probably 90% of the time discussing aerobic performance in class and within our text, but the ability to read, study literature, and form opinions is what I really took away from school. Helped me immensely with continuing learning beyond college.

 

[LeanMaShane]

Yeah, thinking about just buying the NSCA textbook from eBay or something and study it and then take the exam when I think I'm ready. Way cheaper

 

[napalm]

Yeah, thinking about just buying the NSCA textbook from eBay or something and study it and then take the exam when I think I'm ready. Way cheaper

still a good idea to the the exam content booklet and all 3 practices tests...

 

[ZiR RED]

Yeah, thinking about just buying the NSCA textbook from eBay or something and study it and then take the exam when I think I'm ready. Way cheaper

I'm not sure what you have around you for Universities or Colleges with Kinesiology programs, but many of them offer a strength and conditioning course (I teach a few at Univ. Kentucky). You can always talk to the professor to see if you can sit in and audit the course. Most won't mind, especially when you show interest in the content compared to some students who have to take it for credit.

Br

 

[jimbuick]

I'm not sure what you have around you for Universities or Colleges with Kinesiology programs, but many of them offer a strength and conditioning course (I teach a few at Univ. Kentucky). You can always talk to the professor to see if you can sit in and audit the course. Most won't mind, especially when you show interest in the content compared to some students who have to take it for credit.

Br

Lol I'm gonna go to the University of Kentucky.