Fitness

Okay, so I am finally serious about getting my certification on personal training after more than four years of tossing the idea around, even though I was actively training individuals in the military.    At first I looked into ISSA, who pretty much tracked me down every year to ask me why I haven't signed up yet.  But later I found that most gyms, spas, or etc, requires specific certifications!  I was told that NASM, was most prefeered, but then I looked into working at a nearby hospital and it required NFPT certification! 

So looking at both sites, NFPT seems to have the better deal in pricing and CEU credits, not to mention specialty certifications at a lower price too.  Then I began to think, well what if cheaper holds less integrity.  What if paying more doesn't neccessarily mean it's better education!!  ugh!

What do I do!?!?!  Which one would you recommend?

My goal after completing the certification course, is to also pursue certification in the specialty fields of sports medince, and nutrition.  I would prefer not to work in a gym setting, but rather in an outpatient physical therapy, sports rehab clinic, or hospital of rehabilitation. Is there a better program for those?

Also, if you dont mind me asking...

If you are a full time personal trainer, where do you work?  What are your hours like? And what is your gross income?

Thank you for your time and advice!

It depends on where you want to train and what you're looking to do with your certification.  That said, NASM and ACE are two that are very well respected and generally accepted as a baseline in most gyms.  I've been told that the NASM is more technical -- a background in exercise science helps.

No matter which certification you choose to start with, it is an unavoidable fact of the business that unless you work for yourself, you're going to have to get whatever certifications are required by the facility where you are training.  Some of them will help you pay for them, but most will expect you to handle the cost on your own. 

As for which is a better education bargain for your dollar, you really can't go wrong with either ACE or NASM, but I would do some research -- poll some of the trainers that are well-respected and ask around.  Beware of the weekend certifications and gym trainers who are nothing more than glorified sales people.

Good luck!

yes,

i've noticed that NASM seems to be more on the technical side, as far as kinesiology and anatomy. That also makes me more interested because that is my background.  But the NFPT, seems to have more on the basics, and client stuff, but they make it seems so much more of a better bargain because of the continuing education fees are cheaper. They seem to also have WAY more testing sites, and such in the country. Does this make it more reputable? 

No, it doesn't make it more reputable.  I would take the one that gives me the most educational "bang" for my $$.  This is where NASM may be at a disadvantage -- I'm not sure what their CEC policy is.  It's fairly easy to get CEC's for ACE -- you can take a variety of fitness related seminars and have them count toward your ACE CEC's.  I would focus on getting the certification that gives you the most knowledge, and then worry about boning up on your client skills and business related topics with CEC's.  However, if you already have an exercise science degree or kinesiology degree, then you may want more of the client based stuff.  It's a personal decision.

Good luck.

Also, note that the ACE-certified trainers are the ones most likely to be made fun of and be held up as horrible examples of what not to do by the other certification organizations, while NFPT certifications are most likely to be completely ignored as irrelevant - ACSM, NSCA, NASM and ISSA are the only ones that get any respect.

 Industry recognition of a certification doesn't translate to quality of education - there's quite a few paper mills out there where you wind up with a certification with all the credibility of a cereal box prize. There's no law against holding multiple certifications of course and the best trainers frequently do, but take a look at what Eric Cressey chooses to display, or what sort of certifications is most prevalent on the Strengthcoach.com faculty may give you a hint as to which organization has most credibility with industry insiders...

Really?  I haven't had that experience, nor have I ever heard another trainer disparage an ACE certification.  I have heard that about AFAA, however. 

I really think there are excellent trainers who have not so great certifications and terrible trainers that go through the best programs.  It's all about what you are willing to put into it. 

"Most likely"!="will be" :)

 Though I suppose it depends in who you run into as well - Charles Staley for example ;)

Interesting....

Even more interesting -- the guy throwing around the one arm barbell snatches with 140 lbs. on the bar.....impressive!

 Yeah, my best one-arm snatch is about half that :)

Well, I take my hat off to you as well.  I just started doing the dumbell snatches as part of the NROL not that long ago -- my best is 20 lbs., 6 reps. And I'm sweating bullets the whole time...

awesome guys!  I'm glad I got some well respected answers and advice.  This really helped a lot thank you!  I looked at the links too, thanks a bunch Melkor!  I'm suprised there wasn't a bit more women who responded, I suppose they are more interested in yoga and pilates certifications!  But each to his own!  Thanks all!