Personal Trainer Certification

adreal
adreal Posts: 229 Member
edited December 18 in Fitness and Exercise
Just wondering if anyone has their personal trainer certification and where you got it from. There are quite a few online and was just wondering what made you choose the one you got. Thanks for your advice.

Replies

  • PBaxter72
    PBaxter72 Posts: 4 Member
    I got my certification through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). It was between them and American College in Sports Medicine, supposedly the top two in their field..... I chose NASM because they offered and online study course and since I hadn't cracked a text book in over 20 years, I thought it would be the best fit for me... They were awesome in every aspect and Im glad I spent the extra $$ for the course.
  • adreal
    adreal Posts: 229 Member
    I have seen all the groups out there and looked up the nationally certified ones and there are just so many. Between the NASM and the Ace they are the same price. I just am not sure what to go with. I found one that was super cheap at $80 but I am afraid I will get what I pay for and it will hurt my chances of getting a Health and Wellness Coach certification.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    I would choose one of the big 3 ACE, NASM, & ACSM. Mine is through NFPT and many places don't recognize it.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    adreal wrote: »
    Between the NASM and the Ace they are the same price. I just am not sure what to go with.

    NASM is better in my opinion. It's more thorough about addressing imbalances that affect form, and i think their exercise choices are better too.

  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    The NASM goes well with a 4 year degree in kinesiology.
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    I’m an NASM CPT, currently working on my Nutrition Specialist add on. It is not an easy program with what is in effect a full college level text with lectures and practice tests. A cumulative, proctored exam. Plus a continuing education requirement. I’m very happy with the program and looking to add more specialties to it over the coming years.

  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    edited January 2015
    rybo wrote: »
    I would choose one of the big 3 ACE, NASM, & ACSM. Mine is through NFPT and many places don't recognize it.

    I would personally put NSCA above ACE for sure. The NSCA requires the applicant to have a BAS / MS degree as well.
    I’m an NASM CPT, currently working on my Nutrition Specialist add on. It is not an easy program with what is in effect a full college level text with lectures and practice tests. A cumulative, proctored exam. Plus a continuing education requirement. I’m very happy with the program and looking to add more specialties to it over the coming years.

    I saw that certification a few weeks ago and was wondering how it was. What does that allow you to do upon completion? Can you legally do meal plans and stuff for clients?

    I have my Performance Enhancement Specialization from NASM. While working on that I've also working on my MS in Health & Exercise Science.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    It is good to see the positive comments on NASM. I'm starting to look past my current technical career to something I can do after I get tired of the travel and stress of my technical job.
    Also, before that happens, to volunteer at my YMCA in a way that can benefit other over 55 people like me.
  • DreesPerformanceTraining
    DreesPerformanceTraining Posts: 187 Member
    NSCA-CSCS because I work with adults and athletes.

    Your best bet is to call the gym(s) you are trying to work at and see what they prefer. Regardless of who you go with, understand that passing the test only shows that you have the bare level of knowledge necessary to keep your clients alive. Keep learning!
  • DreesPerformanceTraining
    DreesPerformanceTraining Posts: 187 Member
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    adreal wrote: »
    Between the NASM and the Ace they are the same price. I just am not sure what to go with.

    NASM is better in my opinion. It's more thorough about addressing imbalances that affect form, and i think their exercise choices are better too.

    I would rank NASM towards the bottom. Their OPT model makes sense in theory, but I rarely see it implemented effectively. People need to learn to squat and deadlift, not balance on one leg on a BOSU ball.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    People need to learn to squat and deadlift, not balance on one leg on a BOSU ball.

    Only powerlifters "need" to learn powerlifting exercises. There are countless alternatives for others. The Bosu ball is rarely used in NASM's protocol. :+1:
  • mochachichi
    mochachichi Posts: 74 Member
    Another vote for NASM as they have a great science based program. @adreal that course you found for $80...don't do it! I like NASM, ACE is very good and non-profit so they may be a little less expensive because of that. Whichever you choose, try to pick one that is NCCA accredited. Oh...why not try the NASM CPT for free!! They offer a free 14 day trial so see for yourself
  • DreesPerformanceTraining
    DreesPerformanceTraining Posts: 187 Member
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    People need to learn to squat and deadlift, not balance on one leg on a BOSU ball.

    Only powerlifters "need" to learn powerlifting exercises. There are countless alternatives for others. The Bosu ball is rarely used in NASM's protocol. :+1:

    The squat and deadlift are movements that everyone should be training in some regard. No, they do not necessarily need to be with a barbell.

    The problem with the OPT model is that it assumes because someone cannot stand on one leg for 20 seconds they lack proprioception and they need to do single leg balance work for half an hour for a month straight before they can start picking up a weight. In reality, often times they are just weak or overweight.

    This is partly to blame for why many gym-goers think personal trainers are a waste of time and money.
  • mochachichi
    mochachichi Posts: 74 Member
    edited July 2016
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    People need to learn to squat and deadlift, not balance on one leg on a BOSU ball.

    Only powerlifters "need" to learn powerlifting exercises. There are countless alternatives for others. The Bosu ball is rarely used in NASM's protocol. :+1:

    The squat and deadlift are movements that everyone should be training in some regard. No, they do not necessarily need to be with a barbell.

    The problem with the OPT model is that it assumes because someone cannot stand on one leg for 20 seconds they lack proprioception and they need to do single leg balance work for half an hour for a month straight before they can start picking up a weight. In reality, often times they are just weak or overweight.

    This is partly to blame for why many gym-goers think personal trainers are a waste of time and money.

    To be fair and truthful NASM doesn't have a philosophy where you are getting your client to stand on 1 leg for half an hour for a month so let's not give the OP the wrong impression of what NASM is about. Besides, many top trainers of athletes (peter Twist, Todd Durkin to name a couple) believe in proprioception training and the use of BOSU ball. You don't have to like it, you don't have to agree with it but that science is out there and used by many top people.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Since you mentioned that you want a Health and Wellness coach certification eventually, contact the sponsoring organization and find out what PT certifications are accepted. That way, no surprises. Good luck!
  • DreesPerformanceTraining
    DreesPerformanceTraining Posts: 187 Member
    mochachichi wrote: »
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    People need to learn to squat and deadlift, not balance on one leg on a BOSU ball.

    Only powerlifters "need" to learn powerlifting exercises. There are countless alternatives for others. The Bosu ball is rarely used in NASM's protocol. :+1:

    The squat and deadlift are movements that everyone should be training in some regard. No, they do not necessarily need to be with a barbell.

    The problem with the OPT model is that it assumes because someone cannot stand on one leg for 20 seconds they lack proprioception and they need to do single leg balance work for half an hour for a month straight before they can start picking up a weight. In reality, often times they are just weak or overweight.

    This is partly to blame for why many gym-goers think personal trainers are a waste of time and money.

    To be fair and truthful NASM doesn't have a philosophy where you are getting your client to stand on 1 leg for half an hour for a month so let's not give the OP the wrong impression of what NASM is about. Besides, many top trainers of athletes (peter Twist, Todd Durkin to name a couple) believe in proprioception training and the use of BOSU ball. You don't have to like it, you don't have to agree with it but that science is out there and used by many top people.

    There is nothing wrong with proprioception training. The problem is when someone becomes a zealot and believes there model/methods can cure cancer. There are plenty of good NASM trainers and plenty of poor CSCS's.

    Of the "big 3" (NASM, ACSM, NSCA), I believe NASM is the least science-based. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter because any certification should only be the beginning of a trainer's learning, not the end.
  • mochachichi
    mochachichi Posts: 74 Member
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    mochachichi wrote: »
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    People need to learn to squat and deadlift, not balance on one leg on a BOSU ball.

    Only powerlifters "need" to learn powerlifting exercises. There are countless alternatives for others. The Bosu ball is rarely used in NASM's protocol. :+1:

    The squat and deadlift are movements that everyone should be training in some regard. No, they do not necessarily need to be with a barbell.

    The problem with the OPT model is that it assumes because someone cannot stand on one leg for 20 seconds they lack proprioception and they need to do single leg balance work for half an hour for a month straight before they can start picking up a weight. In reality, often times they are just weak or overweight.

    This is partly to blame for why many gym-goers think personal trainers are a waste of time and money.

    To be fair and truthful NASM doesn't have a philosophy where you are getting your client to stand on 1 leg for half an hour for a month so let's not give the OP the wrong impression of what NASM is about. Besides, many top trainers of athletes (peter Twist, Todd Durkin to name a couple) believe in proprioception training and the use of BOSU ball. You don't have to like it, you don't have to agree with it but that science is out there and used by many top people.

    There is nothing wrong with proprioception training. The problem is when someone becomes a zealot and believes there model/methods can cure cancer. There are plenty of good NASM trainers and plenty of poor CSCS's.

    Of the "big 3" (NASM, ACSM, NSCA), I believe NASM is the least science-based. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter because any certification should only be the beginning of a trainer's learning, not the end.

    NASM are zealots claiming that they can cure cancer...that's just being silly now. And for the record OP, CSCS is not a certified personal trainer as you are inquiring about. CSCS is a Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. The NSCA does however offer a Personal Trainer course. I can't comment on that as I don't know anyone with that certification

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    edited July 2016
    DreesPerformanceTraining wrote: »
    The problem with the OPT model is that it assumes because someone cannot stand on one leg for 20 seconds they lack proprioception and they need to do single leg balance work for half an hour for a month straight before they can start picking up a weight. In reality, often times they are just weak or overweight.

    NASM does go a little heavy on the remedial exercises, and personally i find it a little boring sometimes. But you have to remember their target audience is not athletes, it's the average gym population, who often have numerous muscle imbalances from leading sedentary lives, and awful motor skills from not being athletic in their youth. Teaching them a complex movement like a squat can be like teaching a baby to walk. You don't see these people often since you work with athletes, but they are common in most gyms. So i think NASM is a good starter cert for working with a broad population, like in a chain gym. It's better to err on the side of caution with these people. The program can always be modified to fast-track athletic individuals. :+1:

    Whatever happened to the OP??
  • surf4ogxlcc
    surf4ogxlcc Posts: 2 Member
    NASM is definitely a top choice. I took it a few years back and have used it to get a job at Equinox, which is where I still work. I highly recommend them and this nasm study guide made passing it significantly easier.
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