Certifications That Keep on Giving the Whole Year Through - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[mtnmvr]

I would like people's opinion on a certification that will provide the resources and support post-test that I need to be an effective personal trainer. I have a vast educational background (outside of the field of exercise) with a degree from Princeton and finally a PhD. I have gym experience of over 20 years training athletes, beginners and people in between. Though my profession is in a seperate field I have just been asked to help as a trainer in our local Y, which presses the question of why I am asking for opinions.

I would like to finally get certified to do what I have done for so long already, but this time with the knowledge of terminology and exercise physiology that I have neglected for so many years.

After reading all of the required materials for ACSM I found it lacking practical application to sports, body building and power lifting principles. I then read NSCA's essentials and fell in love with the material but because this is not my primary career, I cannot justify NSCA's 60 hour requirement for recertification.

So here is my question for this forum: Which cert would provide the nuts and bolts pre- and post-test to incorporate the latest research in strength conditioning without requiring me to give up my career to keep up with the CEU/CEC's.

Additionally, I am a visual learner - I love video examples and lessons - does any organization offer a DVD / CDROM set for training that is a good resource? Also a practical workshop would be nice.

Thank you all so much for your help.

[Dinah]

Hi mtnmvr and welcome to Fitness ThinkTank!

As many will tell you, your education is only beginning when you obtain your PT certification. And as someone who highly values education, I don't think you'll find the CEC requirements insurmountable. You mention in your post wanting to "incorporate the latest research in strength conditioning" and this is why organizations require continued education. You already have the thirst for knowledge -- for others it's a forcing of the hand situation.

I am ACSM certified, which I found valuable in laying the foundation for exercise science, but I do know that NSCA is the gold standard when it comes to the certification focused on strength training and conditioning. As for those offering video learning, I believe that ACE and a few others provide those types of tools. And for a workshop, ACSM has a really good intense 3-day workshop that provides some useful hands on practice.

Since you already have many years of experience under your belt, you could always opt for a less intensive certification (AAAI, AAFA) and just use the books from say, NSCA to supplement your practice.

As you probably noticed, there are certification discussions on this forum and Christina (the founder) has posted great reference material to help you choose. It's a matter of what goals you have in mind for yourself and which certification would best support those goals.

Hoping that others will jump in here and add to the conversation, which will help guide you to a decision.

Best of luck!


Dinah

[Christina]

Hi,

I know this is not what you want to hear but I definitely recommend NSCA. But with that said, as Dinah pointed out, you can get certified through another organization and use NSCA's learning materials. There is no reason why you can't buy the CSCS text and videos (I HIGHLY recommend every personal trainer buy their Exercise Technique Manual for Resistance Training) and study the materials for your own knowledge. Which certification does the Y prefer? Have they told you? Sadly the personal training industry is not regulated so you can call yourself a personal trainer even if you are not certified.

Christina

[Murray]

I suggest going with the NSCA CSCS. You hold the qualifications that a lot of trainers do not, which is a degree. If you look at a lot of the top level trainers such as Alwyn Cosgrove, you will see they hold a certification in Strength and Conditioning.

As for a Personal Trainer cert, I would go with ACSM first. I hate using the term "gold standard" simply because it is based solely off of opinion. If you go to any of the top Certification sites, they will all say they are the leading certification/gold standard blah blah blah. Read around and you'll find the one you are looking for.

My personal opinion is to go with ACSM because I am ACE Certified and noticed that they utilize a lot of information from ACSM. All of the leading certifications serve the same purpose and have relatively the same information for Personal Training.

ACE is releasing a new Personal Trainer Manual with A LOT of new information. It will include a DVD as well. Definitely check it out HERE

Hope this helps.