Getting a PT certificate

Witchblade · 01-17-2008, 12:21 PM

I'm coming over to the USA (New York City) for about a week end May/beginning of June. I'm thinking of getting some kind of certificate for PT in that time, one of those theory tests you have to study for at home. A few classes or a really short course would be ideal of course, but I only have a few days tops. We don't have any of that stuff in the Netherlands (

) and I'm not aiming for anything major, but it would be cool to get some kind of certificate so I could supervise in my college gym or something. I know it's not a very good education, but hell, I already know more about personal training than 90% of the idiots in my country, so something is better than nothing, I suppose.

I've no idea where to look and I don't know which certificates are reputable. What would you suggest I do?

Thanks in advance.

**gopro** · 01-17-2008, 01:37 PM

See if the ISSA has any workshops in the area at that time.

Witchblade · 01-17-2008, 02:10 PM

I'm currently reading this.

My options:
ISSA - Homestudy + 2 day seminar and fits into my time table (Thanks for the tip Gopro!)
NSCA - need a Bachelor
NASM - need a Bachelor
ACSM - Looking into it

**gopro** · 01-17-2008, 07:53 PM

ISSA is my favorite of all the certs I have. Very comprehensive.

**P-funk** · 01-17-2008, 11:30 PM

NSCA CPT you need to have a bachelors for.

But, you can't do it in a weekend. I would be skeptical of any certification that you can do in a weekend and just take a test.

Witchblade · 01-18-2008, 07:05 AM

I know the practical applications of a weekend certificate will be low quality, but it's a lot better than nothing and I have no options here in Holland. I'm not intending to become a real, high quality PT like P-funk or Cowpimp, rather a supervisor or assistant at my college's gym. I could help newbies get started and work with healthy trainees. I'm not going to work with old, injured or impaired people, because I know I'm not properly qualified. I'm positive I can at least do a better job than most of no-good PTs that currently dominate the fitness industry and don't know their limitations. To clarify, this will be a temporary part time job next to University College, not a full time job.

Current #1 option: ISSA home schooling + 20h seminars

**P-funk** · 01-18-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witchblade

I know the practical applications of a weekend certificate will be low quality, but it's a lot better than nothing and I have no options here in Holland. I'm not intending to become a real, high quality PT like P-funk or Cowpimp, rather a supervisor or assistant at my college's gym. I could help newbies get started and work with healthy trainees. I'm not going to work with old, injured or impaired people, because I know I'm not properly qualified. I'm positive I can at least do a better job than most of no-good PTs that currently dominate the fitness industry and don't know their limitations. To clarify, this will be a temporary part time job next to University College, not a full time job.

Current #1 option: ISSA home schooling + 20h seminars

gotcha.

what are you going to be studying at the university?

Witchblade · 01-18-2008, 08:52 AM

It's an international honor's program with a very broad curriculum. It's based on the Liberal Arts & Sciences education from the USA. You can sort of create your own study program. At graduation you get an honor's degree Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences). After that I'm going to get one or two Masters, possibly abroad, in the social sciences. If I can afford it and have the time, I'll get a better PT certification after that and go for a PhD.

This is all speculative though, because I still have to pass the second round - an interview - to qualify for this University College.

**P-funk** · 01-19-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witchblade

It's an international honor's program with a very broad curriculum. It's based on the Liberal Arts & Sciences education from the USA. You can sort of create your own study program. At graduation you get an honor's degree Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences). After that I'm going to get one or two Masters, possibly abroad, in the social sciences. If I can afford it and have the time, I'll get a better PT certification after that and go for a PhD.

This is all speculative though, because I still have to pass the second round - an interview - to qualify for this University College.

good luck to ya.

you seem like a really smart guy. I am sure you will go far.

Witchblade · 01-19-2008, 07:05 PM

Thanks.

**Prince** · 02-08-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

NSCA CPT you need to have a bachelors for.

But, you can't do it in a weekend. I would be skeptical of any certification that you can do in a weekend and just take a test.

does the bachelors degree have to be in Exercise Physiology or something closely related? Or can it be in anything? If you say it can be in anything then that means nothing.

**P-funk** · 02-09-2008, 07:50 AM

no, the degree can be in anything....which makes absolutely no sense at all.

tomuchgear · 02-09-2008, 02:06 PM

issa is one of the best i have mine through issa i did the home study program it is pretty comprehensive and excepted at most gyms and chain gyms you should be fine the only set of gyms i know of in the us that doesnt is lifestyle you have to have one of the other ones wierd but ballys will take it. there are a good few that can get you in the door for insurance purposes that are very inexpensive try ExpertRating - Online Certification and Employment Testing very inexpensive like fifty for a test mostly for people who know the stuff and just need a cert for insurance purposes

tomuchgear · 02-09-2008, 02:09 PM

also if you would like to learn more about elderly training you can get specialized training for elderly, youth there is alot offerd through issa you will learn alot from that one but not enough i didnt think that is why i am on here they dont discuss in detail certain things so some stuff is trial and error for me till i can get myself were i want to be i figure i have no business training any one else just offering helpful advice when i can

01-17-2008, 12:21 PM	#1
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,426 Photos: 2	Getting a PT certificate I'm coming over to the USA (New York City) for about a week end May/beginning of June. I'm thinking of getting some kind of certificate for PT in that time, one of those theory tests you have to study for at home. A few classes or a really short course would be ideal of course, but I only have a few days tops. We don't have any of that stuff in the Netherlands ( ) and I'm not aiming for anything major, but it would be cool to get some kind of certificate so I could supervise in my college gym or something. I know it's not a very good education, but hell, I already know more about personal training than 90% of the idiots in my country, so something is better than nothing, I suppose. I've no idea where to look and I don't know which certificates are reputable. What would you suggest I do? Thanks in advance.
	My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

01-17-2008, 01:37 PM	#2
gopro NGA/IFPA Pro Bodybuilder Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Florida Posts: 10,521	See if the ISSA has any workshops in the area at that time.
	Monthly columnist for Muscular Development and Ironman magazines. GOLIATH LABS Sponsored Athlete/Board Rep www.prrstraining.com Time to GROW Without Plateau! Personal Training Gopro is available for online personal training, dietary guidance, and contest prep coaching. Send me a PM or e-mail if interested. Thank you.

01-17-2008, 02:10 PM	#3
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,426 Photos: 2	I'm currently reading this. My options: ISSA - Homestudy + 2 day seminar and fits into my time table (Thanks for the tip Gopro!) NSCA - need a Bachelor NASM - need a Bachelor ACSM - Looking into it
	My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

01-17-2008, 07:53 PM	#4
gopro NGA/IFPA Pro Bodybuilder Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Florida Posts: 10,521	ISSA is my favorite of all the certs I have. Very comprehensive.
	Monthly columnist for Muscular Development and Ironman magazines. GOLIATH LABS Sponsored Athlete/Board Rep www.prrstraining.com Time to GROW Without Plateau! Personal Training Gopro is available for online personal training, dietary guidance, and contest prep coaching. Send me a PM or e-mail if interested. Thank you.

01-17-2008, 11:30 PM	#5
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 30,574	NSCA CPT you need to have a bachelors for. But, you can't do it in a weekend. I would be skeptical of any certification that you can do in a weekend and just take a test.
	http://pwtraining.blogspot.com/.....come and see what is on my mind! Ivonne's Blog on Health and Wellness! Optimum Sports Performance "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

01-18-2008, 07:05 AM	#6
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,426 Photos: 2	I know the practical applications of a weekend certificate will be low quality, but it's a lot better than nothing and I have no options here in Holland. I'm not intending to become a real, high quality PT like P-funk or Cowpimp, rather a supervisor or assistant at my college's gym. I could help newbies get started and work with healthy trainees. I'm not going to work with old, injured or impaired people, because I know I'm not properly qualified. I'm positive I can at least do a better job than most of no-good PTs that currently dominate the fitness industry and don't know their limitations. To clarify, this will be a temporary part time job next to University College, not a full time job. Current #1 option: ISSA home schooling + 20h seminars
	My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

01-18-2008, 08:52 AM	#8
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,426 Photos: 2	It's an international honor's program with a very broad curriculum. It's based on the Liberal Arts & Sciences education from the USA. You can sort of create your own study program. At graduation you get an honor's degree Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences). After that I'm going to get one or two Masters, possibly abroad, in the social sciences. If I can afford it and have the time, I'll get a better PT certification after that and go for a PhD. This is all speculative though, because I still have to pass the second round - an interview - to qualify for this University College.
	My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

01-19-2008, 07:05 PM	#10
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,426 Photos: 2	Thanks.
	My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

02-09-2008, 07:50 AM	#12
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 30,574	no, the degree can be in anything....which makes absolutely no sense at all.
	http://pwtraining.blogspot.com/.....come and see what is on my mind! Ivonne's Blog on Health and Wellness! Optimum Sports Performance "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

02-09-2008, 02:06 PM	#13
tomuchgear is naked eatin cheetos Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ohio Posts: 1,669 Photos: 5	issa is one of the best i have mine through issa i did the home study program it is pretty comprehensive and excepted at most gyms and chain gyms you should be fine the only set of gyms i know of in the us that doesnt is lifestyle you have to have one of the other ones wierd but ballys will take it. there are a good few that can get you in the door for insurance purposes that are very inexpensive try ExpertRating - Online Certification and Employment Testing very inexpensive like fifty for a test mostly for people who know the stuff and just need a cert for insurance purposes

02-09-2008, 02:09 PM	#14
tomuchgear is naked eatin cheetos Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ohio Posts: 1,669 Photos: 5	also if you would like to learn more about elderly training you can get specialized training for elderly, youth there is alot offerd through issa you will learn alot from that one but not enough i didnt think that is why i am on here they dont discuss in detail certain things so some stuff is trial and error for me till i can get myself were i want to be i figure i have no business training any one else just offering helpful advice when i can

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