I'm going to DO IT!!!!

H

honeybunch

Guest
I've decided to follow my bliss and become a personal trainer. I want to do it through A.C.E., and do it home study. I am soliciting advise from any of you who have done this....please give me some pointers!!!!

It would be great to be able to do it full time eventually, but for the time being I'd be content to do it part time, out of my house plus get my feet wet by gaining experience through teaching classes somewhere.

Please, please, ye educated ones, come forth with your words of wisdom! Thanks in advance. http://www.plaudersmilies.de/bounce/1blue1.gif
 
No words of wisdom to offer, just sincere congratulations on following what sounds like a fabulous dream for you! I admire that immensely. Good luck :)
Sandi
 
RE: Yeeeah!

Honeybunch, good for you!! Along the same lines, I would like to be certified to teach aerobics (during the summer). I heard ISSA is good (I think that 's the name). Anyone out there who is certified?? Any suggestions??
 
RE: Yeeeah!

You got my vote... You are so smart about food also... can you fit that in?

I often think i might like to be a personal trainer myself...But i havent a clue how one does this..
 
RE: Yeeeah!

HONEYBUNCH! Congrats! You ROCK! Really, you can do it, I know you will... PLEASE keep us posted on your progress. I am slowly working my way through school to eventually become a nutritionist, or so it stands thus far... we are strong women working to make the world a healthier place! :0)
 
Go for it Honeybunch!!! You can totally do it! No words o' wisdom from me either, just encouragement and support :)

Let us know how you do! Keep us posted...

marnie
 
RE: ACE-certified A-Jock sez GO GIRL!

Hi, Honeybunch! I got certified thru ACE as a group fitness instructor back in 1997. I have the current ACE Personal Trainer textbook but have never done the test.

I believe ACE has a package you can purchase, which includes the Personal Trainer textbook, a study manual, and a practice test. My suggestion is to get all three, and plan on working through the textbook and the study manual at least twice. I know that sounds like a lot of work, but the learning is incredible and invaluable. Not only for your personal training career, but also for your own knowledge and how you can apply it to your own health practices.

I'd also suggest checking out if any local clubs or colleges offer ACE test-prep classes, especially if you find specific test areas (exercise physiology, anatomy, biomechanics and applied kinesiology, nutrition, health screening, what have you). This may be a good alternative, or supplement, to your self-study. I didn't take any classes myself, but they can be of immense value.

To register for the test you have to provide proof of current CPR certification; CPR has to be current both at the time of registration AND the test date. And, after you're certified, be prepared to do 15 contact hours of continuing education credits every two years to maintain your certification.

GO FOR IT!

Annette
 
RE: ACE-certified A-Jock sez GO GIRL!

I printed out the study material ACE offers, and would purchase that package. I'm also going to investigate AFAA which Cathe said is another top certifying organization. I know Miss Aimee from Columbus just got certified through them. I can take a class locally with them (Tallmadge, Deb H). Got to weigh the costs, and which would be better professionally. When I looked for a trainer, I headed for the ACE site. I'm in no great big hurry, so I want to be sure of which outfit to go with.

Home study I know I can do, because I got the lion's share of the credits for my BA degree through home study (Bemiji State University....anybody heard of it besides me?!)

Thanks for all your encouragement!!!!! http://www.plaudersmilies.de/happy/xyxthumbs.gif
 
RE: ACE-certified A-Jock sez GO GIRL!

Honeybunch: I was Ace and AFAA certified for aerobics and really enjoyed the AFAA program. They also offer home study for certain portions and have programs with other emphasis too (maternity, elderly, water, etc). The primary reason AFAA appealed to me was because of the hands-on approach to learning. In my course the instructor didn't just perform, she had us up teaching and provided immediate feedback on everything from voice control to proper form and alignment. When I hired my last two trainers I used the AFAA search engine for the AFP program and was thrilled with my results.

As far as taking the written tests, you obviously have good study skills to have completed a degree through distance learning. My best advice is to use the skills that you know work well for you, don't try to adopt someone elses's... I know I couldn't have made it through law school if I had stuck to the traditional law student "case brief" formula.

I think that your extensive base of fitness and nutrition knowledge will serve you well in this field and your ability to challenge the "everybody does it that way" type of thinking will lead to great success for you and your clients.

Go get 'em!

Katie
 
RE: ACE-certified A-Jock sez GO GIRL!

I've looked into AFAA further, and find that it will be no trouble to attend a local workshop. The hands-on learning has real appeal to me, too. Learning from a book is great, but some of that stuff is better learned from demonstrations reinforced with book-learnin'. The cost is about the same going either the ACE or AFAA route. http://www.plaudersmilies.de/person/znaika.gif Soon to be "educated" as a PT. Too cool!

By the way, I have another passion that I have not decided to follow because of cost and time involved. I have for years wanted to be a museum curator(history type museum), but I'd have to get a Master's Degree in Museum Studies that is offered at very few schools, and none anywhere near me. I'd have to move. So, I'm going for my other more affordable passion. Besides that, Museum Curators can't write off their exercise equipment!!!
 
RE: ACE-certified A-Jock sez GO GIRL!

Honeybunch - there is nothing in this world that I enjoy more than continuing education, so I applaud ALL your efforts and dreams. I have a very good friend who is a museum curator with a Master's degree in History that he got through distance education. Good luck to you in all you do! Katie
 
Good luck HoneyBunch. From your posts here, I think you will be a great personal trainer! Have you thought so far in advance as to where you will train? For example, will you hook up with you gym or go to people's homes? Jeanne
 
RE: ACE-certified A-Jock sez GO GIRL!

Could you find out where your friends got his distance Master's in history? I always thought the Masters had to be in Museum Studies to get a job like that.
 
I'm not sure where to start....I may try to hook up with a YMCA locally and see what I can do. The ultimate would to work out of my house or go to other people's houses, but I could still do that on a limited basis until I gain enough experience.
 
The challenging part would be developping routines with people's limited home equipment. But I am sure you will figure it out. I've managed, Cathe's managed for us! (I seem to think you have a gym membership too for some reason.) It'll be so much fun for you. I used to try and train a few friends, my husband, and then my nephew, but noone was too into it. Hmm... maybe that will be the challenging part--keeping them motivated. Jeanne
 
Good Luck!!!

Hi Honeybunch,

This is great news! You mentioned this before and now you'll be following your dream! We are cheering you on! Hope you'll keep us updated. I get this feeling there are a few of us out here who have toyed with the same idea. It's been in the back of my mind for some time.

Best to you!!!!
Laura
 
RE: ACE-certified A-Jock sez GO GIRL!

Sure I will! I did see that Duqesne in Pittsburgh has a part-time Masters in Museum Studies. What other programs were you interested in? Are you thinking Museum Studies, Museum Exhibits and Displays or Museum Education...I saw all of them online (not online programs, I saw info about them online). I'll check with Mark and get back to you. Katie
 
RE: ACE-certified A-Jock sez GO GIRL!

Museum Studies, primarily, however I'd be interested in anything related that I could do with distance learning.
 
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