Personal Training Certification?

[tmb6x]

What national certification program for Personal Training do you think is the best/most respected/most recognized?

[ozarkaBRAND]

Ncsa-cpt

[LSU Gladiator]

NSCA - CSCS

[OCCFan023]

NSCA
ACSM
ACE

those are all legit providers of various respected certs.

[Rodja]

NSCA - CSCS

You also need a Bachelor's in a related field.

[LSU Gladiator]

More credentials = better

BAM!

[Rodja]

More credentials = better

BAM!

Alas, if he gets a BS and a CSCS, I really doubt he wants to be just a PT. The NSCA-CPT, ACSM, or NASM are universally accepted and are generally considered the most widely recognized. NSCA and ACSM have been at the top for years, but NASM has gained recognition in recent years.

[OCCFan023]

Alas, if he gets a BS and a CSCS, I really doubt he wants to be just a PT. The NSCA-CPT, ACSM, or NASM are universally accepted and are generally considered the most widely recognized. NSCA and ACSM have been at the top for years, but NASM has gained recognition in recent years.

Bump to this and needing a BS for some of the more detailed certs. I was planning on it anyway (the BS in exercise science) but found it interesting that it was required. CSCS w00t.

[The Batman]

NSCA CPT if you dont have a degree
NSCA CSCS if you do have one.

I'm hoping to have my CSCS by the end of July.

[LSU Gladiator]

Batman, tell us about the test (if you've taken it yet). How was it? Any formalities associated with getting certified that suck more/less than others? Any info is much appreciated!

[futurepilot]

http://www.nsca-cc.org/downloads/Handbook_CPT.pdf

This is just CPT but it should give you an idea. Im going to take it after i finish my Instrument rating. There's a lot more to being a trainer than you would expect by looking at most of the trainers in gyms, at least the ones that I see.

[Rodja]

VolcomX311 is an NSCA-CSCS and I have talked to one of my profs who is a CSCS and he said that the CPT and CSCS exams are similar, but the CSCS is more in-depth, which is expected.

The CPT is 40% Ex Phys, 40% Program Design, 10% Special Conditions (e.g pregnancy) and 10% Legality is I remember correctly (I took it in '04, so its been a while).

[The Batman]

Batman, tell us about the test (if you've taken it yet). How was it? Any formalities associated with getting certified that suck more/less than others? Any info is much appreciated!

I've been studying up on my A+P lately and will be getting my CPR cert and college transcript done in june. Planning on taking the computer based test at the beginning of july.
From what I know the practical portion of the exam is not bad at all, but the science portion is not exactly easy.

http://nsca.hkeducationcenter.com/Co...fo/pretest.cfm

good practice test to see where your at.

this link has everything you need to know really.

http://www.nsca-cc.org/cscs/

[tmb6x]

Thanks for all the info guys - I've been doing research on the various certifiations. I'd been leaning towards ACSM but now will re-visit the NSCA.

[LSU Gladiator]

I want to hear how that test goes for you buddy. Anyone with certification experience needs to give us the scoop.

[Rodja]

I want to hear how that test goes for you buddy. Anyone with certification experience needs to give us the scoop.

CSCS or all certs?

[LSU Gladiator]

I took the practice, I got 4/5's and 3/5's on everything.

I didn't know anything about plyometrics, or validities.

CSCS or all certs?

All certs!!!

[Rodja]

I took the practice, I got 4/5's and 3/5's on everything.

I didn't know anything about plyometrics, or validities.



All certs!!!

The NSCA-CPT was a lot more difficult than I expected because of all of the Ex Phys that is on the test. A&P does not prepare you for this either. The materials for the exam are very information dense, but nothing that is impossible. A solid month of studying for 2 hours/day will prepare for the exam.

[OCCFan023]

Did you use the provided study material or more on your own Rodja?

[Rodja]

Did you use the provided study material or more on your own Rodja?

I used the study materials. All 11 CDs, the practice tests, and the information book.