Questions on studying for the NASM exam - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[jackson]

Shawnna,

Can you tell me more about the NASM approach? I think Ive heard a little but its been a bit controversial, so I'd like to hear your take to see if I can get a clearer understanding.

I agree with Christina you have to find the one that fits your style and thinking about fitness - that way you can give it your all when implementing it.

Im going to be taking the NSCA CPT exam soon and I do not have a degree. After all my searching about certifying bodies I decided on NSCA because its one of the leading authorities on fitness aside from the ACSM and it holds the beliefs I have about training.

Best,

Jackson

[shawnnasmith02]

Hi Jackson, I actually really wanted to be certified through NSCA, however I must have miss read the program info, which led me to think I needed a degree. I have read the controversies about the NASM, but I felt it was the best for someone with out a degree, and it's a little less expensive. But, If i can get my NSCA-CPT, I feel it would be worth it in the long run if it would help my chances of getting into a great gym and making more money.
The fitness approach for the NASM, from what I've read, is done in phases:
1. stabilization 2.strength training 3.power


You can read more about it from this link:
http://www.nasm.org/about/default.as...fa7b_8_0_198_3

I thought the stabilization phase was smart, but from what I've heard, you would probably need somesort of education to determine what stabilization flaw would need to be corrected. Like posture, for example. But I am going to look into the NSCA more to determine what would be best for me.

Thanks again for all the information and support! It's nice to have a forum of encouragers and educators!!
Thanks Again,
Shawnna

[jackson]

Hey Shawnna!

Definitely give the NSCA CPT a look over again. I found it to be the cream of the crop right alongside ACSM. Im not sure why I didnt go with ACSM, I think because I wanted to have a greater focus on athletes.

If you decide to go with the NSCA's CPT let me know and I will try to offer you as much help as I can. Im trying to figure out right now when I should be taking this exam, maybe by that time I will have done it and can let you know what study methods prepared me to pass.

I read a posting by Christina about the practice tests and that the first one was easy and the second one a little harder. This makes me a tad bid nervous about my preparation since Ive only taken #1. I might have to put out the extra cash to do the online versions.

Either way, I wish you well as you embark upon this career!

Jackson

[rbd]

Shawnna,

I think you are going about it the right way. You will always learn something from all organizations, but you need to find the one that makes the most sense to you and goes along with your training philosophy. I am certified by NASM, NSCA and IYCA and recently let my ACSM HFlapse last year. They all have different philosophies, strength and weaknesses.

In my opinion NASM is starting to get way too much into the physical therapy arena for most personal trainers and feel it is going to cause some lawsuits in the long-term and could cause a problem for our industry and as well as our relationship with some allied health professionals. Some of there stuff is good and some of their stuff is crap. You will find all organizations offer some good and some bad info, but that is all about the learning process. The more you learn the more you will realize is there are very few facts in this industry , but a lot of opinions. You just have to dig through a lot of crap in this industry to get to the truths.

I hope this helps and good luck in whatever you decide.

Jeff

[Christina]

The more you learn the more you will realize is there are very few facts in this industry , but a lot of opinions. You just have to dig through a lot of crap in this industry to get to the truths.

I second this.

Christina

[ss30378]

Yes I to believe that theres good and bad things with all certs out there... The NASM test is by what I hear one of the more difficult CPT tests out there (its the only one ive taken so i cant compare) and it did ask many correctional excercise questions... So dont just know the muscles, know how they work in all planes of motion... Nutrition wasnt too big of a topic on the test with only a few related questions... They touch on CPR a little bit as well as there business chapter... Know that you need 2 CEUs in the two years you have your cert to maintain certified status (that is a question on there)... The 3rd or current version of the test is considerably different from the other two by what I hear from the recert folks out there... It did seem like I was taking more of a physical therapy test than a fitness trainer test with most of the test being based on corrective style exercise... Ant the structure of NASM OPT model is in 3 main groups, Stability, Strength, and Power but the strength section is broken down into 3 units itself strength endurance, hypertrophy, and maximal strength... So there are 5 total phases to the model...

[shawnnasmith02]

Everyone's advice has been very appriciated!! Idid look into the NSCA more and I have talked with a couple of friends (who both have the CSCS) and I feel that taking the NSCA CPt exam would be best, for me. I might take the NASM CPT at a later time, to have along with my NCSA CPT. Thanks again for all the info!!
SHawnna

[caliber0019]

Mobeck,
I just took the NASM-CPT test and passed about a week ago. Honestly i dont think i studied as much as i should have but passed none the less. What i did to study was i first started reading the the text book, once had gotten throught the first 4 chapters i realized the CDs went along almost verbatim with the text book. So i ended up watching all the cd 2 1/2 times and copying the definition from the first 4 chapters on to flash cards and learning them pretty well. Then i took the practice exam 3 times and passed the last time with a 90. Of course the last night i watched as many CDs as i could then i took the test the next morning. The test kinda caught me off gaurd because i expected it to be more similar to the practice exams, but all in all i feel if you can consistantly get A's on the practice exams you should pass the test. As far as the insertion and attachment points of muscles, i didnt memorize them and i didnt feel it hurt me on the test at all. And your question about the skeletal system, all i knew were the major bones and i felt it was more than enough. I would concentrate more on the human movement, program design and selling/rapport building chapters. But again, take those practice exams. Good luck!

James

[mobeck]

Thanks all for this discussion! It has helped immensely. Caliber, thanks for the tips and info. Yeah, the dvds really do just mimic the book almost verbatim, it is kind of useful to read them and also have the ideas taught to you with audio and some visual aid so I've been doing both. I've been studying pretty hard and seem to have soaked up a lot of the information and I've read the entire text book front to back. I'll probably do review on everything for a week or two, and then take the test. Wish me luck, and again thanks all for your feedback.

[wombosi]

hi mobek,

don't worry about the inerstion point stuff. i can promise you there will be less than one question about this on the exam. (maybe one).

learn the corrective flexibility section!!
learn everything they say about posture!!
learn the different "categories" of exercises they list - for example, they'll list an exercise and ask you if it's "balance strength," "power," "active flexibility," etc...

they'll give you many case studies - "henry sits at a desk all day and has rounded shoulders." his protocol should include: a) power lifting b)static chest stretch c) pole vaulting

etc...

you better know when someone's foot turns out which muscle is tight and which muscle is weak, and how to correct it.

if you get that down, you'll ace the test. the rest is cake and common sense.