Another "how to study" ACSM question - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[JNJ.Violette]

Hi Everyone,

Please excuse my ignorance once again. I'm still new to all of this, but learning. My question is this: I was advised by this forum to start my studying with the "Resources for the Personal Trainer" text book. As I read the first 100 pages or so, I saw that so many pages are filled with illustrations containing tons of names of muscles, bones, body planes, examples, etc. I also see many "tables" with lots of information and also a larger number of definitions. It may be a crazy question, but do you actually memorize all of that information? It's taking me DAYS just to get through a few pages. I'm still not sure how to treat this animal, and I'm still trying to find the best way to prepare for the exam.

Any thoughts, guidance or advice??

Thank you!

[Dinah]

Hi there --

You're certainly not alone in feeling this way about the material. It is definitely overwhelming.

I think the consensus on this forum about reading the book all the way through at the beginning, is to become familiar with the content. Don't be worried at this point about memorization (in actuality, you shouldn't really be memorizing anything). Also, it has been emphasized on the forum that you shouldn't consume yourself with the most minute of details. It's more important to grasp the theories, general principles and larger concepts of exercise science, than it is to know every single bone that exists in the hand (and there a lot!) Remember, once you've become acquainted with the material, start going back through the KSAs one by one -- you'll start to get a sense of what's required to really know. And don't forget, the workshop will be very valuable in helping you focus your studying efforts.

FYI -- part of the 750-quiz of Starting-Your-Own-Personal-Training-Business site has a good exercise where it points to places on the body and you have to assign the muscle name to it. It's good practice, general and hits the right note for what you need to know for the exam.

Keep asking questions and don't get discouraged -- you're in the beginning stages, but trust the advice here and you'll get through it.

Dinah

[JNJ.Violette]

Hi Dinah,

Once again, thanks SO much for the direction. I'll do what you said. I'm sure I'll be asking more things in the future.

Take care!!

Hi there --

You're certainly not alone in feeling this way about the material. It is definitely overwhelming.

I think the consensus on this forum about reading the book all the way through at the beginning, is to become familiar with the content. Don't be worried at this point about memorization (in actuality, you shouldn't really be memorizing anything). Also, it has been emphasized on the forum that you shouldn't consume yourself with the most minute of details. It's more important to grasp the theories, general principles and larger concepts of exercise science, than it is to know every single bone that exists in the hand (and there a lot!) Remember, once you've become acquainted with the material, start going back through the KSAs one by one -- you'll start to get a sense of what's required to really know. And don't forget, the workshop will be very valuable in helping you focus your studying efforts.

FYI -- part of the 750-quiz of Starting-Your-Own-Personal-Training-Business site has a good exercise where it points to places on the body and you have to assign the muscle name to it. It's good practice, general and hits the right note for what you need to know for the exam.

Keep asking questions and don't get discouraged -- you're in the beginning stages, but trust the advice here and you'll get through it.

Dinah

[Dinah]

LOL! I like my new 'name'. Thank you!!

You're very welcome.