ACSM-Preparation?

arti8 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: India

Hi, I am preparing for ACSM CPT. I have completed one short course cert in PT frm WITS education, Virginia. I am new to this field and have no exp so far. Now, I am studying for ACSM PT. I have the suggested books.Can anyone pls tell:
Are the books as recommended by ACSM sufficient to pass the exam?
Study tips on following the KSA ?
I do not access to attending the workshops right now, so will that effect my preparation?

Christina · Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 851

Hi arti8,

arti8 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: India

Thanks Christina. U make it sound easy Smile

.I plan to register as soon I am sure of passing Smile

. Seriously, sometime early next year. I am planning to buy one of the online portal classes. Did u try those? Or maybe buy flashcards .

Christina · Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 851

For some reason I found the ACSM exam a lot easier than the NSCA exam. I am not really sure why. Please don't take my word for it though because I have read where people have really struggled with the ACSM exam. Anyway, make sure you study the recommended texts. I remember I did not buy one of the recommended texts -- I guess I overlooked it -- but I still passed. I will tell you though, I studied the books that I did have inside and out. I was very prepared for that exam. Definitely buy the practice exam. A tip that I always tell people is to not look at the answers when the practice exam is over. Look at your overall score and see what sections you scored low in. Go back and study and THEN take the exam again. To this day I do not know all of the correct answers on the practice test. If you look at the answers then all you're doing is memorizing the answers and not learning the content. Does that make sense? Yes, I bought 2 of the online portal courses. I bought the anatomy/physiology course and the psychology course. Ironically, I have a degree in psychology yet it was my lowest scoring area on the practice exam! Embarassed

Go figure!!! Laughing

In my opinion, do not waste your money with the psychology course, but the anatomy/physiology course is a good one. They give you little quizzes along the way and a test at the end. Now that I am looking back on all that I did to prepare, I can see why I did not find the exam extremely difficult. I did not go to these lengths for the NSCA exam.

By the way, I believe you are our first member from India! Do you plan to work in India or the U.S.? (I saw where you went to WITS in Virginia.) How is the demand for personal trainers in that part of the world?

Christina

arti8 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: India

By replying to me, u figured the reason for the the success quotient in ACSM Smile

. The online class will help along side the books or after completion of reading the books? I am finding the resources for PT overwhelming Sad

Did u try buying flashcards? I am planning to get one?
I was in US last year , so jumped at the opportunity to go ahead with WITS. Yeah, India is A Growing country and has good scope for fitness.
Cert's and giving exams in fitness are new still. I will be among the trendsetters I guess!
Where are u practicing now? Have u always been in fitness industry?

arti8 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: India

PLs clarify this for me anyone:

In the book " Resources for personal trainer" 2nd edition, complete information in chapter 11, Nutrition does not match with the KSA on nutrition.
which book to refer for full information?

Christina · Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 851

Hi arti,

Welcome back! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. My family was arriving for Christmas around the time of your last post and I was not spending a lot of time on the forum.

arti8 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: India

Wishing u a very happy new year. I will clarify the doubt. The KSA on nutrition goes like this:
knowledge on terms like obesity, overweight, % fat, BMI, lean body mass, anorexia etc...
knowledge of the USDA food pyramid
knowledge of female athlete triad

These topics are not covered in the chapter on nutrition in resources for PT. From which book did u learn these toipcs?

BrianB · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 96

Regarding "female athlete triad" -- I haven't come across it in the text yet (but I'm still pretty early in the text), but here is a link that will explain it to you:

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/triad.html

The other topics you ask about can be learned through Google searches as well. I don't think ACSM will have any particular angle on them as they appear to be fairly uncontroversial topics.

Hope this helps.

Who · Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 2 Location: Egypt

Greetings Thread Contributors -

My first post and its got nothing to do with Fitness - directly, and at this time!!

I am planning on establishing a wellness center for women in the middle east, and am embarking on an educational odyssey.

I read Arti's post here -- and it resonated with exactly where I am at on the ladder.

I am introducing myself to you, Arti and hope we could talk a bit about where you are regarding your certification, since your last post on Dec 18, 2007. I feel we may exchange meaningful notes.

Wish everyone well!

Who

who_o @ mail.com

Christina · Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 851

Welcome, Who! Smile

Are you planning on opening up the wellness center in Egypt?

Hopefully Arti will see your post and respond.

Christina

Who · Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 2 Location: Egypt

Thank you for the welcome. Yes Christina - it will be a long haul, but have just started the first educational step of purchasing the ASCM CPT books.

Who