Which PT Certification?

[DeadBolt]

Looking through them there seem to be a couple good ones just curious which ones you think are truly top notch?

I'm looking into them and want not only personal training but sports conditioning and maybe even something with youth/teens.

What do you guys have? What did it cost? Who should I avoid? Give me your feedback and insights from the various certain.

 

[hypo_glycemic]

I have NASM and ISSA National.. IMO and depending what part of the Cert you pass, they are the best Certs out there..Some might have good clientele with others??

 

[exphys88]

ACSM, NASM, NSCA are the most prestigious. NSCA CSCS (certified strength and conditioning specialist) is the best for sports conditioning. If you look at university teams, their strength coach's are primarily CSCS. ACSM requires the most education, but focuses more on the clinical side.

 

[DeadBolt]

If you don't mind me asking why the dual certs?

 

[DeadBolt]

I was looking into NSCA and once I finish my bachelors I was going to get my CSCS being a degree is a prerequisite...but i like to investigate all options.


Edit: I am a sports medicine major in school if that changes anything.

 

[Gena Marie]

Prince did the ISSA and loved it. He meet some pros from back in the day. He was thrilled with the whole process.

 

[fit4life]

I have NASM it is highly recognized and provides a lot of opportunities. Another great option is ACE (American Council on Exercise) Heres the link if your interested Become a certified personal trainer and maintain your personal training certification with the American Council on Exercise.

 

[exphys88]

IMO don't do ACE, it's a joke.

 

[fireman23]

NASM is best from what I have heard. Ace is a genneral minimum type req it seems

 

[NVRBDR]

I have ISSA

 

[DeadBolt]

Thanks for all the info guys!! Keep em coming...I just keep researching and readng inbetween.

 

[Curt James]

IMO don't do ACE, it's a joke.

Why?

 

[hypo_glycemic]

^ IMO it's the minimum requirements to legally be able to train someone. It takes a day to achieve that cert- or it did? Doesn't go in depth ...

 

[exphys88]

Why?

I just don't think they require enough knowledge/education. I used to train personal trainers at a healthclub that used ace exclusively and I could get normal joe's to pass their test after a week of class. This is ridiculous to me.

If you want to be taken seriously, I think it's smarter to go with ACSM or NSCA because they've established themselves as the premier certification agencies, and ACSM specifically writes the current guidelines for exercise prescription and testing that everyone else uses.

My ACSM certification as an exercise physiologist requires a masters degree and thousands of clinical hours to get the certification. And, the cert allows me to conduct treadmill tests on cardiac patients without a physician being present. Currently, an RN, respiratory therapist nor even a physicians assistant is not qualified to do this. Not one cardiac rehab facility in the US will take any other cert than the ACSM one that I have. That says something. Additionally, every strength and conditioning coach that I've worked with at the collegiate level is a CSCS through NSCA.

 

[fit4life]

okay just got back from gym and gotta eat just read comments and its hard to just sit back idely and see my advice being discredited that i have given. DON'T LET MY LOW POST COUNT FOOL YOU! I am very active in the fitness community. Live. breathe, sleep this sport and ACE is a great cert. A few yrs back i got certified in San Diego and it opened so many doors in one of the fittest and most beautiful place in the US. This cert allowed me to work in some exclusive clubs in La Jolla Cal and also made a lot of money A 24 hr fitness there. Even started my own personal training biz with insurance. I took the test and it is a hands on and self study. The book is thick chock full of knowledge and great info. Took me 3 months of a Summer studying while sitting @ the beach of reading hi- lighting pertinant facts to learn and know whats on the test. It was a great experience. And the test was challenging. Not only is it important to pass the test but looking the part people will listen and respect you even more.
Its more than a one day study course and i am shocked @ that response

 

[fit4life]

A week! A day! Wow unbelievably incorrect. I dont know Hypo but I know his connected with a lot of bodybuilders and saw pics of him ( big dude) plus i know he is from Cali so i am surprised to hear him say that about ACE.
Maybe not as prestigous as some but YOU ARE WHAT YOU MAKE IT.

 

[exphys88]

okay just got back from gym and gotta eat bust just read comments and its hard to just sit back idely and see my advice being discredited that i have given. Dont let my low post count fool you. I am very active in the fitness community. Live breathe sleep this sport and ACE is a great cert. A few yrs back i got certified in San Diego and it opened so many doors in one of the fittest and most beautiful place in the US. This cert allowed me to work in some exclusive clubs in La Jolla Cal and also made a lot of money A 24 hr fitness there. Even started my own personal training biz with insurance. I took the test and it is a hands on and self study. The book is thick chock full of knowledge and graet info. Took me 3 months of a Summer studying one Summer while sitting @ the beach of reading hi lighting pertinant facts to learn and know whats on the test. It was a great experience. Not only is it important to pass the test but looking the part people will listen and respect you even more.
Its more than a one day study course and i am shocked @ that response

I have no doubt that there are many good trainers with that cert. I'm just making the point that ACSM and NSCA are WAY more recognized in the fitness field and are more respected. I've seen many clubs that will only use trainers with these certs. The fact that ACSM writes all the literature that all the other agencies use should be a clue.

 

[exphys88]

A week! A day wow unbelievably incorrect.

Yep. 1 week of class.

 

[hypo_glycemic]

A week! A day wow unbelievably incorrect.

I've seen a lot of successful trainers that only have ACE. But you have to admit, these days you have to have more of a copious cert to answer technical questions and implement new and improved training styles.

That's funny though, I got my ACE at 24 hr fitness in San Diego and began training. I'm not hating on ACE but when you match the literature against a NASM or ACSM. CSCS, ACE wouldn't even come close. And I think I got my ACE cert in 2 or 3 days- I can't remember!

You know your shit bro. I can't discount that at all. You have always been super cool and helpful to others.. Keep kicking ass

 

[fit4life]

Yeah hypo gly i know your an NPC competior, solid bro/ knowledgable and have much respect for you and always have. Enjoyed our pms awhlie back about Jon Lindsay and how he promotes great shows in Cali! OP was looking for options to explore and ACE has treated me well in past. A week damn you guys are def smarter then me then, lol! It is really up to him though what best fits his needs.

 

[exphys88]

titan,
I'm sorry, I wasn't intending to insinuate that you don't know your stuff. I'm sure there are plenty of trainers with ACE that are much better and know much more than me. I'm just speaking strictly from a recognition standpoint, and my experience is that ACSM and NSCA will get more recognition.

 

[fit4life]

^^agreed that ACSM+NSCA are more recognized. I currently have NASM and it was very thorough as well. Some companies offer in house type of training which is a 2-3 day seminar. For example 24 hr fitness required me to take there program to train @ any of there facilities. It was a 2 day seminar and that was a piece of cake and for lack of a better term "was a joke." ACE was a diffrent story in comparison, but this was a few yrs ago and maybe they have changed up there testing protocol. No problem honestly just want to help.