New NSCA site for those who want to get certified. - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Christina]

http://www.youcangofarther.com/

Technically it's for students but anyone wanting to take the CSCS or NSCA-CPT will benefit.

[jackson]

Hi Christina or anyone out there who is now a NSCA CPT. Im trying to prepare for this exam but am lost on what to do. I dont have a background in Anatomy or anything. How did you study? Did you spend a lot of time on each chapter or did you just read each chapter, listen to the symposiums and move on to the next. Im used to having a teacher and some guidance so this self-study approach im new to and am not getting far. Ive had the material over 6 months and decided to now sit down and prepare. I want to take the test in 8 weeks is that realistic and if so what would you suggest.

Thanks for all your insight and help. I want to join the ranks of other NSCA cpts.

Best,

Jackson

[Christina]

Hi Jackson and welcome to the forum.

I actually completed a fitness instruction certificate program through UCLA that prepared me for both the ACSM and NSCA-CPT. Is this your first PT cert? Do you have any prior PT experience?

Do you have NSCA's Exercise Technique Checklist Manual? If not, you may want to consider ordering it. You will need to know what muscles are involved in various exercises. Try to get a good grasp on anatomy. Not just the names of bones and muscles, but what specific muscles or group of muscles are involved in a particular movement and their planes of motion. Personally, I did not think NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training covered anatomy very well at all, especially for someone who has never taken an anatomy class. I really encourage you to find a good anatomy book or take a self paced course online through Human Kinetics.

Did you purchase the practice exam(s)? If you have not and are planning to do so make sure you take them well in advance of the exam so you can brush up on your weak areas.

Best of luck and if you have any questions during your course of study just ask!

Christina

[jackson]

Thanks for getting back in touch so quickly Christina. I did purchase the items youre mentioning. Im really just trying to figure out an approach to "studying" all of the material.

Maybe you could give a suggestion or share how you approached studying. Did you go one chapter at a time or go by specific domains and take in the information that way.

Tonight I was thinking about studying by domains:
1. Client Consultation.Assessment (20% of exam))
Includes:Initial Interview, Health Appraisal/Medical History Review, Fitness Eval, Basic Nutrition & Wt Mgmt.

2. Program Planning
Includes: Goal setting, program design, training adaptations and special populations

3. Techniques of Exercise
Includes: Instruct clients on proper use of equipment, free weights, functional training, cardio machines and other non machine exercise techniques

4. Safety, Emergency Procedures and legal Issues
Includes: Practice Safety procedures, Follow Emergency Procedures and REcognize professional, legal and ethical responsibilities


I was thinking of studying in that order - basically section by section. Did you use this approach or did you go at it another way?

As for anatomy I have the book by Dalavier on exercises and what muscles are worked in each. Do you thnk that will work?

All your help is so greatly appreciated - thanks!

Jackson

[Christina]

Hi Jackson,

I am the most horrible person to ask how to study for exams! I find the idea of studying an entire book daunting to say the least. To answer your question, I usually skim material and then I go back and read each chapter. (I skipped a chunk of the chapter on biomechanics because I just couldn't take anymore. :lol Like Dave, I answered all the questions at the end of each chapter. As I read each chapter I highlighted/underlined important points. The week before the exam I went over all the highlighted points. Hope this helps a little. I think your way of studying is much more methodical and probably more logical. I would go with it. Yes, the book by Delavier is excellent. I still recommend you get a book like Dynatomy or some other book that really explains planes of motion, eccentric/concentric movements, muscle groups, joints, etc. It will not be enough to simply know something like, "What muscles are used during a lat pulldown?"

Hope this helps. Here's a link to the book I suggested:
http://www.amazon.com/Dynatomy-Willi...9050489&sr=8-1

Christina

[jackson]

Thanks for all your help and the welcome, I appreciate it. I will keep you posted on how this is going. Im so nervous and I just cant seem to get a system going. Coming from a different background Im afraid I wont get the whole anatomy thing and I keep letting that stall me. I need to do better at focusing.

Thanks again

Jackson

[Christina]

Jackson, let me ask you, why do you feel you need to take this exam in 8 weeks? It seems like you are putting so much pressure on yourself that you cannot figure out where to begin. Also, you need to ask yourself, "What is the worst thing that can happen to me if I don't pass the exam?" I promise that no one will string you up by your toes and point and laugh and throw things at you! :lol:

You do not need to be an expert in anatomy in order to pass the test. I am by no means an expert and I passed both the ACSM and NSCA exams. I will be the first to admit that I have a lot of learning to do when it comes to this profession and that is why I continue to educate myself through books, journals, websites, and people who know much more than I do. Try to relax and enjoy the learning process.

Christina

[jackson]

Thanks for your concern Christina. My reason for wanting to do this in 8 weeks is Ive had it for months and was trying to transition careers. Unfortunately my other position ended earlier than expected so I need to get on the ball with this. I gave myself too much room and did nothing with the time.

Thanks for letting me know that anatomy isnt a strong suit of yours that makes me feel a heck of a lot better. - whew! I just need to discipline myself and I can do this in 8 weeks. Theres a lot going on in my life and I just need to get this under my belt for my esteem and for the next phase of this journey called life. Perhaps you may understand.

I appreciate how quick you all have responded and thats a breath of fresh air for me. I will be calling on yall for help every step of the way - I hope the god's of failure wouldnt hang me by my underwear should I fail but lets hope that doesnt even become a concern.

Thanks again for everything!

Jackson