bump, I'd like to become one as well.

Which certification you have? I have had numerous ones over the years. ACE being the best of them so far. I'll be taking the ACSM Clinical Exercise Specialist and the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in the Spring as part of my BS in Exercise Physiology.


Certification you'd suggest for entry into PT field? Both ACSM and NSCA have beginner personal training certifications that don't require a degree. I believe they are both the CPT (Certified Personal Trainer). They are the top two organizations in the business. In fact, most other certifications base their certification materials on the ACSM. The advanced certifications I will be doing with them require a 4 year degree before you can even sit for the test, though, so they have options for working your way up if you choose to get an exercise related degree later.


Training areas you specialize in or would suggest? I've been a certified personal trainer for 15 years and all of the certifications I've taken require CEC's to renew your certification. Because of those, I've taken numerous other courses in things such as yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, stability ball, senior fitness, children's fitness, nutrition, etc. If there is a particular area where you feel you enjoy your exercise more, I'd recommend specializing in that but know that you can also find CEC's to help you fill needs in your community too.


Best/Worst Experiences? Best Experience--Seeing a beaming client walk in the door to tell me that she had come off of all her medications for diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension. Worst Experience--A client who's check bounced.


Other suggestions welcomed? If you have a university program in your area that offers degrees in exercise physiology or exercise science, take it! I've learned more about the human body in my degree program then I ever learned in a certification workshop. When I recommend things to look for in a trainer for people who aren't in my area to be able to workout with me, I tell them to find a degreed professional and not just a certified personal trainer because the abilities are drastically different. A certified personal trainer can only work with the normal healthy population. Someone with a degree is taught how to help people with various diseases and injuries too. The Clinical Exercise Specialist certification I'll be taking with ACSM is specific to clinical populations such as people with heart disease, diabetes, etc. that a CPT can't work with because they are outside their scope of practice. The CSCS that I'll be doing with NSCA is specific to working with athletes such as in a college or professional sports setting. A CPT isn't taught those specifics. So, while the CPT is a great place to start, it is only the beginning! Keep up with your education to be able to evolve as the industry evolves.

I know this is an old thread but something I'm looking into as well. Some of the trainers at my gym are ACE certified, some are ISSA. I've read that NASM is the most respected though.

Getting a specialty cert will help set you apart from the competition. Of course I don't recommend just getting an additional cert(in addition to the pt one) just because. I HATE kickboxing, zumba,yoga etc..so none of that appeals to me so I just wouldn't. I have had the opportunity to get those certs but I know I'd just suck at teaching them because I don't do them myself nor enjoy them. One of my friends has a kickboxing cert and LOVES teaching it. And her classes are full. For her it's a good investment. For me it would be a waste. Vice versa for things i love and things she is wishy washy about.

I think if you get a specialty cert in should be in something you are passionate about. But I love kettlebells and barbells. Just getting the initial entry level Dragon Door Hardstyle Kettlbell Cert(don't be fooled by entry level, half the class FAILED. It definately isn't a pay and pass workshop), and Mike Stefano's little known HIKF cert(fluid style kettlebells), opened more doors for me at my gym and I now have more clients than I can handle presently. I am eyeing the Strongfirst Barbell Cert. as well. You dont need a specialty cert, but i have to admit..It's helped me alot!