? for Connie1 or Francine

mlmccauley

mlmccauley

Cathlete
I am interested in getting certified as a personal trainer and was looking for advice. How did you decide which organization to certify yourself through (i.e. ISSA or ACE, etc.). How long did it take you to prepare? What source materials did you use (i.e. ACE home study program)? What first steps did you take, once certified, to begin working in the field? Any other info or help you can give would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

Maria
 
"I am interested in getting certified as a personal trainer and was looking for advice. How did you decide which organization to certify yourself through (i.e. ISSA or ACE, etc.). How long did it take you to prepare? What source materials did you use (i.e. ACE home study program)? What first steps did you take, once certified, to begin working in the field? Any other info or help you can give would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!"

Maria

Dear Maria,

I looked at both ACE and another one, AFAA I think it was. ACE had a test date in a city near me, and ACE gave more options for study materials. The other company, if I remember correctly, had a course you had to take. It cost quite a bit more than the option I chose with ACE.

Well, I had some knowledge already so I didn't want to duplicate efforts. I decided to get just the manual, study guide (workbook) and sample test, totalling less than 90 dollars. The test itself cost 200 dollars to take.

I just got my cert last week, and have not started working yet. I would have made more headway, but I have only Fridays to investigate gyms around here. I think I should work in a gym setting at first because I have no gym experience. I am not even a member of any gym.

There are about 15 gyms within a 5 mile radius of my house. But I work Mon thru Thurs as a dental hygienist and I am not willing to give up days of work without something in their place. We are a one income family right now. We shall see how it all develops. I will watch this thread for other replies.

-Connie
 
Connie1,


Thanks for your reply. When you say "...I had some knowledge already..." what exactly do you mean? Courses taken in school or leisurely reading and inquiry into fitness? I have done quite a bit of reading but never taken any school courses. I am leaning towards ACE at this point and I knew you had just recently passed the exam (Congratulations by the way) so any other insight you can give would be greatly appreciated since it is fresh in your mind. How much time did you take to prepare for the test? How difficult was the test? How confident were you that the materials were enough to assist you in the test? Thanks again for your help!!

Maria
 
Courses taken in school: Biochemistry, Nutrition (with Biochem and Microbiology as pre-reqs), Anatomy and Physiology, Public Speaking, 2 Psychology classes, and Pharmacology.

Leisurely reading: Health and Fitness in Plain English, Idiot's Guide to Weight Training, 3 books by Pavel Tsatsouline (Power to the People, Relax nto Stretch, Super Joints), a picture book called Strength Training Anatomy, Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell, Body Rx, Business Plan for the Body, Peak Performance Fitness, Body for Life, and the ACE manual.

Plus, numerous articles in magazines and on the web, subscription to Muscle Media and Men's Health, and posts from this forum.

Also I practice dental hygiene and I get a chance to closely assess people's health through their teeth and gums. It's amazing what you can deduce from these things after years of practice.

It took 6 months to study, and I got a low score, about midway between passing and 80%. I used the 6 months to really read the manual and answer the questions in the study guide (workbook) but frankly I didn't do them all.

The test did not seem difficult. I was one of the first ones finished, but I'm always that way. I didn't doubt any of my answers but obviously I got several wrong.

It's funny how I am at taking tests, yet some people "lock up" in a test situation. I was always terrible at ball sports, though. I was always afraid of the ball- either it was gonna hit me and knock my teeth out, or I would miss it and embarrass myself, either option was gonna be bad, and that was why I was afraid of the ball. Never afraid to take a test though.
Anyway I hope this helps. --Connie
 
Thanks again for the quick response! As far as school courses are concerned I haven't taken many (my degree is in Accounting so this willbe a total switch). I have read many of the same books as you in addition to Power Eating and The Weider Edge (both very good books). I am the same way as far as tests go, never had a problem. By any chance did you take the exam prep course or was it all self-study? I will probably go that route because I learn better in a lecture type setting. Thanks again for all your help!!
 
Maria,
it was all self-study. No prep course. I found the ACE sample test to be helpful in predicting my results on the real test. I took it the day before the test though.

If I felt I could afford it, I'd take the sample test even now. I don't have hands-on experience so I am going out looking for it today.
-C.
 
Another one Connie..

When you say you "studied" for 6 months, what kind of work did that require? Reading the manual cover to cover and then a few days on the review segments or 4 hours every night? Give me an idea...
Janice
 
Hi Janice.
I used the workbook that ACE provided. It took me 6 months to learn the material from every chapter well enough to answer the questions in the workbook correctly.
;)
 
Hi Maria,
I just replied to Janice on personal Trainers post(not thoroughly) but stated that you can contact me with any specific questions through my email and I'd be happy to assist you in any way that I can. If you live in NJ Locally, maybe we can get together for a chit chat :)

PS this is such a popular question, maybe we can have a certification quest only post so others can add to it with their experiences and it would be easier to find in a search for anyone looking for this type of info!I think it would be very inspirational and informative, don't you???
I wish I had time to print out everything I'd like to say but I don't :-(, when things slow down, I'll type up some info(hopefully of use :) and post for others:)
 
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