Weight loss specialty? Are they available? - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[blakew]

Hello,

My name is Blake. I am currently a student at the University of Texas and am preparing for the NSCA-PT certification. My reason for deciding to become a personal trainer is the fact that I personally lost 50 lbs about two years ago and would like to help others realize the difference this makes in their lives. So, I am curious if there are any weight loss specialization similar to the strength and conditioning specializations or if a simple PT certification is enough for this. I am obviously going to get my NSCA certification first, but plan on specializing on clients with weight loss needs.

Thanks for your help!!!...and prepare for many many more questions to come... : ).

Blake

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

HI Blake,

I'm not sure about NSCA, but the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has the Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant (LWMC) certification.

That has to do mostly with weight loss.

Check it out here:
http://www.acefitness.org/getcertifi...tion_lwmc.aspx

Congrats on your own weight loss and wanting to help others!

Good Luck!

Dave

[blakew]

Thanks dave. Is it common for trainers to have a PT certification with one organization and specialized certifications from others? What would be the advantages/disadvantages to this?

thanks again,

Blake

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

It is common for PTs to have their Personal Training certfication from one agency and then specialization certs from other agencies.

Some trainers, myself included, have more than one personal training certification from different certifying agencies.

The only disadvantage I can think of is that some Continuing Education Credits that are accepted by one agency may not be accepted by the other.

So what the trainer must do is select coursework that lists CECs for both agencies.

Again using me as an example. I wouldn't take a course in say "Dealing With Teen Age Obesity" if I couldn't use the CECs for both my ACE and NSCA certifications.

Anyone else have any Advantages or Disadvantages they can list?

Peace,

Dave

[adam carsis]

hi blake,

since you are in Texas I would recommend looking at the Cooper Institute in Dallas.

This will not give you any CEU/CECs but I hear it is a good course and it is online. The Cooper center is very respected in Texas and this course would look great on a personal trainer resume.

Weight Management Leadership
https://www.cooperinstitute.org/go/c...?class_id=9293