Thread: ??Getting a Personal Trainer Cert.

I am wondering as to whether or not I should pursue a PT cert. here's a list of a few I'm considering

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
The American Council on Exercise (ACE)
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)

These are the programs that seem to be the most reputable, widely
accepted certifications in the industry, but I?d like to know what
program, overall, is the most marketable and the most highly regarded
in the industry, and which best fits my current experience and
interests. I myself am in the process of getting a combined B.S in Exercise Science and M.S in Nutrition, I'm currently a sophomore in college and thinking I can pursue this as a side job to get real world experience while I attend college full time. Although from my google searches I found most people who get this certs. already have at least a Bachelors before obtaining the PT cert not saying that it's not possible as the only requirements to get a Cert. off reading most of PT sites is that you be at least 18 and have valid CPR/AED cert. I just don't know if I should just concentrate on my studies.

So ultimately my question comes down to should I wait until I finish college or would it better to get the cert. knowing I would have to renew it every 2years and I'm on a tight budget although if I do get a PT job that will be a non issue.

They aren't really necessary. Getting a CSCS would give you a little cred in the industry among your peers (if you were writing articles, putting out product, etc.), but otherwise I wouldn't think twice about it. The most successful trainers I know don't trade on their certs at all.

Take a look at Poliquin's certification. I learned more from it than any other courses I've taken, and use most of the course material daily. I'm with Vapor on CSCS, it tends to get the most credit.

Thanks Vapor and 1llusion I def will just wait until I finish getting my degree I just found out my school of internships for ES students senior year anyways I am a big fan of poliquin had no clue he had cert. programs open to general public and will keep the cscs page bookmarked

I must say I posted this exact post in 2 other well known Bodybuilding/Fitness Forums and haven't even had a single reply ...I am very thankful for the community we have on the attraction forums .

Originally Posted by elrey316

Thanks Vapor and 1llusion I def will just wait until I finish getting my degree I just found out my school of internships for ES students senior year anyways I am a big fan of poliquin had no clue he had cert. programs open to general public and will keep the cscs page bookmarked

I must say I posted this exact post in 2 other well known Bodybuilding/Fitness Forums and haven't even had a single reply ...I am very thankful for the community we have on the attraction forums .

go too bodybuilding.com forums and theirs a PT section. They have a 5 or 6 page sticky about their best certs. Im going for my can fit pro cert. Its the standard for up north.

On a business level, NASM, NSCA, and ACSM carry the most weight. And CSCS is for when you want to make a big name for yourself, focus on strength coaching, or plan on doing a lot of writing.

Don't go on BB.com. It's known in the industry as the layman's circle. As far as bodybuilding sites go, T-nation is probably the most respected.

Now, as far as the "best" cert... There really is none. To be fair, every cert out there is outdated. Every cert out there has bad information along with its good information. CSCS recommends that a can of Coke be a post-workout drink, for Christ's sake. So you get your certs for your BUSINESS, but for your training itself, for your knowledge base.. you read, you study, you immerse yourself in the culture and the industry. Know the big names out there. Read and learn from them. Keep up to date with the research (a subscription to PubMed goes a long way). Be a trainer who continues, relentlessly, to expand his knowledge base.