Double certification (perhaps), revisited - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[SeanM]

I am currently an NASM-CPT, and will have to recertify by March of 2011. After getting NASM certified, I remember being very disappointed, because the one gym I really wanted to work for won't hire NASM certified individuals. They had no official policy on this, I just heard it through the grape vine after applying. It also seemed confirmed after seeing all of their 15+ trainers' online bios, none of which mentioned an NASM certification.

This case of bias got me thinking. Should I bother getting the NASM-PES accreditation so I'll be able to re-certify as an NASM-CPT, or should I just become an ACSM-CPT, which obviously wasn't my first choice, but in some cases seems to be preferred.

Another option is getting ACSM certified and putting it toward CEUs for the recertification of my NASM-CPT. As discussed in other threads, however, maintaining double certifications can be costly, and I'm not sure NASM will accept the ACSM-CPT, or for how many CEUs. Anyone out there both NASM and ACSM certified that has any input on this matter?

Ultimately, I want to be taken seriously, and it felt like a slap in the face when I wasn't even considered because of my NASM cert. I'm just trying to weigh my options and get some good feedback to make a decision, so any constructive input is welcomed. Thanks!

[docbarber4]

I personally am in favor of obtaining CPT's from multiple organizations. Personally, I have the ACSM-CPT, ACSM-HFS, ACE-CPT, ACE-GFI, ACE-LWMC, NSCA-CPT, NSCA-CSCS, NASM-CPT, NASM-PES, and NASM-CES. I feel that these four organizations have something different to offer and prescribe to a slightly different training theory and ideology.

I know it's a little late as you posted your question over 6 months ago, but when I mentor future trainers and fitness professionals, I recommended the following top 4.

ACSM-CPT - It covers all the basics of personal training, plus adds more on the clinical risks of special pops

NASM-CES - I love the corrective exercise knowledge I learned from this cert, and none of the others come close to comparing

ACE-LWMC - It provides the method of counseling for lifestyle changes rather than just exercising and watching what you eat.

NSCA-CSCS - It combines all of the performance enhancement factors that you'll need and is considered the gold standard for strength and conditioning of elite athletes. Much more respected that the NASM-PES. However, it requires a Bachelors in Exercise Science (or related field), which many trainers don't have.


Hope this helps.

JB