Please help - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[MajorT]

Hello, I'm brand new to this forum. I haven't gotten my personal training certification yet. I hear that the ACSM, ACE, and NSCA are all good to get. Which one should I get first or do I even need to get more certifications from different organizations? I have my Kinesiology degree which I got last May. It's the same as an exercise science degree. I was also a collegiate athlete for 4 yrs., I competed in track.

I want to become a personal trainer because it really interests me and I love helping people workout, I love to just talk about exercise and training with other people. I've been looking around to see job availability in different areas. Is it hard to find a job once you have the credentials? I was talking with a guy in Scottsdale, AZ and he sounded like he might have a job for me.

Anyways, any advice would me much appreciated.
Thanks,
JRT

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

If you already have your degree in an exercise science field I would go for the ACSM CSCS certification. With you also being an athlete for 4 years, you probably would find this the closest to what you already know,. And luckily for you it is one of the most respected certifications across the country.

As far as finding a job, if you have your ACSM certification I cannot believe that finding a job would be difficult. Most gym owners/personal training directors would be thrilled to hire someone with an ACSM certification, a 4 year degree, who was also an athlete.

NSCA would be my second suggestion.

And ACE, although the most recognized of the personal training certifications,does not have the "Buying Power" that it once had. Clearly ACSM is the highest echelon of trainer right now. (Again, this is all in my Humble Opinion).

I am both ACE and NSCA certified, but lack a 4 year degree so can't sit for the ACSM unless I jump through extra hoops.

Good luck, and go for it!

[Christina]

Hi JRT and welcome.

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on this, but here's my 2 cents.

If I were you, and since you have a degree in Kinesiology, I would either get a CSCS (NSCA) or an HFI (ACSM) certification. In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with certifications from the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) or ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine). CSCS stands for "Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist" and HFI stands for "Health/Fitness Instructor." These 2 organizations also offer personal trainer certifications; NSCA-CPT and ACSM-CPT (CPT = Certified Personal Trainer). As far as ACE is concerned, I think the ACE-CPT is a good certification for someone just entering the industry who has no formal education in a health related field. I would go for something more rigorous if I were you because of your degree.

So to recap, because I know this can get confusing...

American College of Sports Medicine (http://www.acsm.org) offers 2 certifications for personal trainers: 1) HFI which stands for Health/Fitness Instructor (A 4 year degree or an associates degree in a health related field is required) 2) ACSM-CPT which stands for Certified Personal Trainer (4 year degree is not required)

National Strength and Conditioning Association (http://www.nsca-cc.org) offers 2 certifications:
1) CSCS which stands for Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (A 4 year degree in ANY field is required; not just a health related field) 2) NSCA-CPT (4 year degree is not required).

On a side note, I think Dave meant NSCA CSCS instead of ACSM CSCS. By the way Dave, you CAN sit for the ACSM-CPT. You only need a 4 year degree or an associates degree in a health related field to sit for the HFI. Start studying! :lol:

[MajorT]

Dave and Christina,
Thanks for all the info. I will be looking into getting my certifications very soon. I feel like I'm headed down the right track now! Again, thank you for the advice and sharing your knowledge with me. I'm motivated and happy to be a part of this forum.
Jarrell

[Christina]

We're happy you found us. Definitely look at both of those organizations and see if you are interested in one of those certifications. Most people in your situation would probably go for the CSCS. If you decide on the CSCS cert and you want to be virtual study partners let me know. I want to take the CSCS as well.

Christina

[MajorT]

That would be awesome Christina. I will probably need a little help and motivation from time to time. I want to try and get started pretty soon. I bet the beginning of the year is a crazy time for personal trainers?

[Christina]

Hi Jarrel,

If you decide on the CSCS let me know when you want to begin studying. I actually have the book already so I can begin at any time. I know that Jackson (a forum member) and his study partner have created online quizzes for one another. (They are working on the NSCA-CPT.) Perhaps we could do the same by going through one chapter at a time and testing one another. If you want we could try to round up some additional study partners by posting a message in the CSCS forum on here. It would be a great way to stay motivated and on track!

Christina

[MajorT]

Christina,

I'm thinking about going for my ACSM CPT first. Do you know what study materials I would need. I looked on the acsm.org website and it calls for "ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer", "ACSM's guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription", and "ACSM's Certification Review". Do you think those are all I would need?

[Christina]

Hi Jarrell,

Yes, considering you have a degree in Kinesiology, these are the only study materials you would need (in my opinion). You will do fine. If you are wanting to get certified before January I would suggest you go with a CPT certification instead of one of the advanced certifications (CSCS or HFI).

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Christina

[MajorT]

Christina, I don't remember if I told you or not but I ordered all my books. I have to go out of town for some training for my current job (which I hope to be leaving soon) :wink: . I should get them in the mail very soon and I will begin studying. I'm pretty excited.