Hi from Afghanistan - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[RichC]

I am currently doing a one year tour in Afghanistan after leaving my civilian IT position and having some other issues in my life resolved. I have been training for 28 years and decided its time for a change. I am studying for the ACSM certification which I can take in country. I will head back to NW Indiana (near Chicago) to join a gym staff to get some experience then maybe see what opportunities are elsewhere. Or maybe not depending on what happens.

Once I return, assuming I pass the certification exam I want to go after another certification though I have not decided which one yet. I am really looking forward to getting started in the career end of personal training. It is time for me to do something I really enjoy that also has the great side benefit of really changing peoples lives, outlooks and futures. I have really recieved so much from training I could not think of not trying to pass this on.

[Christina]

Hi Rich, welcome to the forum! Sounds like you have a solid plan. When are you going to take the exam?

My cousin (who is more like a brother) is a medevac pilot so I know a bit about deployment and how tough it can be.

Be safe and let us know if you have any questions.

Christina

[RichC]

I plan on taking the exam in February. I have the ACSM Certification Review Second Edition. I spoke to a friend in Indiana that took the exam and passed and she said all she needed was the review book. However I also plan on getting some other resources, especially on program design and getting some of the practice tests.

I am going back to Indiana really to get experience for a year. The wages there really are not good. But who knows? I may land a job in the downtown of Chicago and be able to commute!! I would like to go back to the east coast, possible the South or a state like Pennsylvania. I'm from New Jersey but rather settle in a more suburban/rural setting as one of my hobbies is competative shooting.

[Christina]

I didn't ever purchase the certification review book. I don't believe they offered that book when I took the exam (or I just didn't know about it.) Did your friend already have a background in exercise science?

In my opinion, definitely buy the practice exam.

Christina

[RichC]

She did't have a backround in excersize science I know of. I am purchasing the practice exams, and, program design and books like Mark Rippetoe's "Basic Strength Training" to give the client no BS guidance.

[Christina]

I would be extremely cautious about not buying the books that ACSM recommends. The exam is not that easy. There are a lot of anatomy and physiology questions that you will not find in an every day book on fitness. I realize that you know someone who passed with just the review book, but I would say this is definitely the exception. Purchase their practice exam, take it, and then see how well you do. Some have said the practice exam is a lot easier than the actual exam. (Personally, I cannot remember.)

I am not trying to sound negative in the slightest. I just want you to be successful on your first attempt.

Good luck! Let us know if you have any questions once you start studying.

Christina

[RichC]

I have ordered the Resources for the Personal Trainer and the excersize program design book recommended by the ACSM website. I'm just waiting for them to arrive.

[Christina]

Rich, I think you are going to enjoy those books, especially the Resources for Personal Trainers. It has a lot of fantastic information. If you have any questions when you begin studying ask us and someone will help you out.

Christina

[simmo961]

Hiya Rich,

Thats exactly how I got started after 20 years in the army, I studied on my last tour in Afghan. It worked for me and now I cannot imagine doing anything else.

Good luck and stay safe mate