Fitness Certification

[pugsrule]

Happy Monday All!

Is anyone a certified personal trainer. I was thinking of pursuing it as a second income option and wondered how difficult it was to get the certification. Also, there are so many options for certification--which do you all think is the best?

Thanks so much for the info!!

 

[libra01971]

Hi!

I am ACE certified. I think that's Cathe's cert. too (although I would guess she has a Group Fitness certification.) Anyway, the ACE test has a reputation for being difficult but with lots of studying, it's certainly passable. I studied for about a year since I have a full time job and a child. If you have more time, I think it's possible to be prepared for it within 3-6 months. ACE is a highly acceptable certification and many gyms will hire an ACE certified trainer. (I worked at Gold's for a short time.)

I will admit, though, that NASM seems to be taking over as the "preferred" certification. (at least in my area.) I think their test may be much harder and more expensive but I've heard it's more in depth.

Good luck!

 

[pixie9]

I would recommend going with ACE. I'm certified with them as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor. I'm also getting certified with NASM (in conjunction with my Master's in exercise science, the university has a collaboration with them in which the student's get certified with them) and I have been very disappointed with the material. They are VERY VERY VERY obsessed with 'muscle imbalances' and diagnosing them (they say they don't advocate diagnosing clients or medically treating them and then teach the students to do just that). IMO, it's just a lawsuit waiting to happen. ACE is perfectly acceptable and a great stepping stone to higher level certifications like ACSM and NSCA. They are generally regarded as the 'top tier' certification organizations and they each have their own peer reviewed journal (at least NSCA does, not too sure about ACSM). I agree that NASM is becoming more commercial and recognizable, but if I were you, I'd stick with ACE. JMHO!!

Carolyn

 

[Flyweight]

I think the CSCS certificate would be great to have, since it seems to the be the toughest of all them. It's not available to someone without a university degree, however. It's tempting, but all my degrees are in business and finance!

The ACSM and NSCA are respectable from a personal training perspective.

I have some of the ACSM and NSCA text books and they're very interesting reading for anyone interested in health and fitness.

 

[Juice]

Hi - Another vote for ACE.

You may want to do a search on this question. It just came up a few weeks ago and Cathe answered too. She also recommended ACE.