BodyWizard
Registered User
I've started a log of my certification dance - here it is:
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Personal Training and Nutritionists
McBurly
Active member
I am currently working on a BS in Dietetics (Human Nutrition). After I finished my clinical internship I wanted to get certified as a personel trainer. But I don't want to spend a crap load of time working towards a certification. How long do the diff kinds of certifications usually take?
200wannabe
Board Supporter
Chasec, could you post a link for the Chandler med center please. Been interested to here a little bit more about your career options in the UK with this type of degree.chasec said:
sage
Well-known member
private clients are a trainer's best route. You can be a top trainer at a 'large chain-gym", build up your hourly wage to 40 an hour at 30-35 hours a week but damn, that's a lot of work. IMO, the most optimal setting for a trainer of any level is to find his/herself a privately owned gym or set yourself up an in home setting and make the bank... easy $75-$100 an hour. People out there are willing to pay that much... :box: insane.
Sage
Sage
unfknblvbl89
Board Supporter
Once I complete my BS in Sports Medicine I will be starting the ACSM route even though i started school to get my CRNA and will continue that once I returnd to the states. I am really looking forward to it. Good posting by everone. I like the plethora of opinions and experiences shared.
SVTMuscle
New member
This thread has been extremely helpful for me considering I want to be a PT for this summer.
But, I can only afford around $500. Since yall have alot more expierence than me in this field, if you have to choose one certification, that would exclude NASM what would you guys recommend?
But, I can only afford around $500. Since yall have alot more expierence than me in this field, if you have to choose one certification, that would exclude NASM what would you guys recommend?
bigpetefox
Board Sponsor
To save abit, get a basic cert like ACE ($220) then as you build your client base, get another to build on.. I got ACE, ISSA (2 certs.), next may be either NSCA or NASM..SVTMuscle said:
sage
Well-known member
i've been cpt with nasm for 4 years now i guess. ill vouch for nasm as well. but just b/c you have a cert doesnt mean you're a good trainer. it will take few weeks and possibly months to get down your style, and how to interact with your clients, all while building up your knowledge about exercise science, nutrition, physiology, human anatomy, etc. I would highly recommend you keep learning while making money while training. Its a good gig but you will go further if you actually know what you're doing.... instead of just 'knowledge' of working out.
Sage
Sage
adrenalinaddict
Member
I too would recommend NASM. I am NASM certified CPT and SFS (sports fitness specialist). NASM I think gives a great base of knowledge for anyone looking to get into the business. I personally believe out of almost all the certs out there, unless you have your degree in exercise related, NASM will have the most impact. If you master NASM you can come away and actually be ready to develop effective programs for clients, where as most other certs leave you going "hmmm...well I know the different planes of motion but have no idea what kind of program to put this client on"
Also, I come from both private training and also a large chain gym. I started in the large chain. I was one of the top managers in the company and had a very successful staff as well. My team excelled in both business growth as well as results. If anyone has questions regarding how to jumpstart their clientel, creating efffective scheduling, getting your clients not to be lazy asses, feel free to ask.
I myself am a huge proponent of going to a large chain gym to start. I belive if you are a great trainer youll be great anywhere even at a large chain. I think it provides you the exposure to clients, the experience and training (Provided you get a good manager) and the learning curve to become a great trainer and move on to private practice of higher quality gym.
Also, I come from both private training and also a large chain gym. I started in the large chain. I was one of the top managers in the company and had a very successful staff as well. My team excelled in both business growth as well as results. If anyone has questions regarding how to jumpstart their clientel, creating efffective scheduling, getting your clients not to be lazy asses, feel free to ask.
I myself am a huge proponent of going to a large chain gym to start. I belive if you are a great trainer youll be great anywhere even at a large chain. I think it provides you the exposure to clients, the experience and training (Provided you get a good manager) and the learning curve to become a great trainer and move on to private practice of higher quality gym.
Atlas
Member
Hey guys, I'm in the same boat as one of the posters above. I am broke as F*** and I have been trying to figure out which organization to go with? Does NASM ever run deals. Before ISSA and NASM were close in price but ISSA is offering 200 bucks off for the holidays! I was told my Fakhri Mubarak at the Easter USA not to get ACE but to get ISSA or another one he couldn't remember. At the same event was Victor Munoz, the trainer of Victor Martinez who said to go with ISSA and that they only charge like 100 bucks and I can retest as many times as I want..... BIGPETEFOX, is this true, how do I find out more about it. Also where can you find the coarse for 220, I saw it for like 400! I am not trying to be cheap just need a respectable cert so that I can train at a gym ASAP!!!!!! I have a great amount of knowledge about the body, nutrition, and training ( I have trained many off the books, and results have been great).....Do I really need the full courses? Someone please help so that instead of selling Christmas trees I could be helping those making New Years Resolutions!
bigpetefox
Board Sponsor
ISSA is abit more than $100.. I paid $450, $120 to retest (which I still need to finish).. The ACE course is $220 if you register before the month of the test date, it goes up in price after a certain date.. They may have changed that, not sure since it only costs me $150 to retest with ACE..Atlas said:
Lean One
Well-known member
I'm curious as to why you were told not to go with ACE.Atlas said:
As was said above, and going by my own personal experience, the cert and or a degree does not make the trainer. That said, you do want a credible cert wich ACE is. Regardless of wich one you choose, you'll still come across employers who will only hire trainers with this cert or that one. There is no cut and dried process. it's a very individual thing.
Atlas
Member
Just wanted to know how long you guys studied your material before you took the test? I just received a 3rd edition of the ACE book and I have about 35 days or so until the exam and there is a 30 day online registration cut off......should I go for the FEB. 11th testing date or wait all the way till May....I am hoping to get my cert ASAP so I can start getting rid of bills ASAP! This question goes out to all the certified trainers, but especially Lean One and Big Pete as I know they are ACE certified!
bigpetefox
Board Sponsor
I read thru the book once, and winged it on test day.. I don't have ACE right now I got ISSA, but if you feel you need to get the material down go for the later date..
bigpetefox
Board Sponsor
They certainly help, I took afew courses that ACE gave and the credits were good to transfer.. I'm about to finish my re-cert exam for both SPN and CPT 2..Apowerz6 said:
Pushofabutton
New member
I was just reading on this and think im going to give it a shot. I think im going to start off with trying to get a cert from ACE and then move up from there. Ill just use the ACE cert to get my foot in the door which should lead to expanding what I have learned.
Pushofabutton
New member
ryano said:
Well im off to the gym for some cardio. Im going to grab one of the PT's and ask them if it would be hard to get a job with an ACE cert and what I would be looking at pay wise. Im just sick of my job right now and the gym is the only place i have to love.
kwyckemynd00
Registered User
I'm half way done with my ISSA book right now (ISSA is big around my area) 
Hopefully I can get enough homework done tonight to read it for the rest of the weekend. I'm sure if I had 2-3 days I could easily finish it.
Im excited to make some good money helping ppl out! Gonna be a nice change in life!
Hopefully I can get enough homework done tonight to read it for the rest of the weekend. I'm sure if I had 2-3 days I could easily finish it.Im excited to make some good money helping ppl out! Gonna be a nice change in life!
Pushofabutton
New member
Just got done talking with the head trainer and he told me if i got an ACE cert that getting a job would be no problem. He told he it starte between 17.50-26 an hour. He told that he had been doing this for about 3 years now and her making about 50-60 k a year and charges around 60-90 an hour.
Looks like im going to save some to make some $.
Looks like im going to save some to make some $.
Pushofabutton
New member
Hummmm what cerf(i know im being lazy and not looking them up) have online test and are reconized nationaly? I was looking at ACE but that takes about 20 weeks and I need to get out of the job that im currently in. I was thinking about maybe a 2 month course. Any ideas?
ryano
Registered User
Im kinda looking at this as a way to gain some extra knowledge and some extra cash. More short term goals.
As far as supporting myself I think that might be more of a longterm goal.
It might take awhile to gain a client base. However I would think it would be easier to get on the payroll at a gym washing towels, answering the phone ...whatever...while you are building a client base.
As far as supporting myself I think that might be more of a longterm goal.
It might take awhile to gain a client base. However I would think it would be easier to get on the payroll at a gym washing towels, answering the phone ...whatever...while you are building a client base.
kwyckemynd00
Registered User
ISSA offers an online certification option. You study it just as you would if you were taking their test at a testing location. Also, if you fail, you have to repeat ONLY the parts of the test that you failed, and you can retake it immediately. :lol:Rodja said:
I'm still going to skim the material, but I'll probably finish the entire 700 page book with about 15-20hrs total time into it.
Pushofabutton
New member
Ok i just got home from talking to the head trainer over at the gym and he told me that his company is going to switch over to the Larry Scott Certification. He told me that a job in the company is 100% If i get my cert through them. Problem is that its about 1500$. Should I go for it? Will it be a good one to start out with? and if I move will I be able to use in nation wide.
Grassroots082
Board Supporter
:lol: just noticed the guy's name who started the thread
Atlas
Member
I and a few other members remember the guy who started the thread....it seemed stupid in my personal opinion as to why he was banned, but out of fear of being banned myself we should just let sleeping dogs lie (as in lay down, not lying!)! I'm taking my ACE cert on FEB.11th! It's a week after my BDAY so I'll consider it my bday gift to myself! If BigPete could chime in here once I again I had a question for [email protected] !
Pushofabutton
New member
kwyckemynd00 said:ISSA offers an online certification option. You study it just as you would if you were taking their test at a testing location. Also, if you fail, you have to repeat ONLY the parts of the test that you failed, and you can retake it immediately. :lol:
I'm still going to skim the material, but I'll probably finish the entire 700 page book with about 15-20hrs total time into it.
Where did you find this out? I can't find it on there website.
kwyckemynd00
Registered User
Call them and you can ask. I was logged into the members area when I found that option. And, I'm not givin' you my info 
kwyckemynd00
Registered User
I'd wonder if he was a rep for LS Training...maybe getting some sort of incentive. That's an expensive ass program...Pushofabutton said:
Atlas
Member
Hey guys, I'm taking the ACE test tomorrow, but am not that excited as I have had TOO many distractions for me to feel very comfortable for the test....but when I take it tomorrow, they will hold my score until I get CPR certified, anyone know where I can get it done? Anyone know how long I have to sign up for the retesting? Wish me luck guys!
kwyckemynd00
Registered User
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