Hey Everyone,
I work in a corporate fitness center for Johnson and Johnson. They have a program in which they will pay for certifications. I want to go for personal training…and I am wondering which one I should go for. ACSM or ISSA??? Which one is considered better? I am under the impression that ACSM would be ideal. However, I do want to take that Specialist in Performance Nutrition offered by ISSA. In any case, should I go for ACSM or ISSA? Thanks for the input
Look into the Renegade Mentor Program. It goes way above and beyond an accreditation of any kind. I don’t know if you can get the Co. to pay for it but it is worth a try. Good luck.
ACSM is the “gold” standard in the biz. ISSA has a good reputation as well but is not as recognized nationally. The ACSM test is quite a bit harder to pass too as about 40% of the people that take this test fail the first time. But if it were free, I’d go with ACSM. Hope this helps you out.
I don’t see any mention of NSCA-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer). I’ll be testing for my CSCS this February. NSCA is the only organization that offers a certification overseen by an official certification committee. I would highly recommend you look into this one as well. I have high regard for ISSA, ACSM and NASM.
I don’t see any mention of NSCA-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer). I’ll be testing for my CSCS this February. NSCA is the only organization that offers a certification overseen by an official certification committee. I would highly recommend you look into this one as well. I have high regard for ISSA, ACSM and NASM.
Go with ACSM. Not everyone may agree with their approach, but it is widely recognized and respected and will do nothing but help your career/income. I also hold the CSCS and have a bit more respect for that one. I know many people speak highly of the ISSA certifications, but I personally think they are a joke and just a quick way to make a buck. Not much substance in the material. Just my opinion. Good luck.
Pmac,
Sorry to hear your views on ISSA, hahaha. That’s actually where I’m going through currently, and am just about to finish my testing. I’m not wanting to start an argument among everyone about their degrees, I’m just curious as to why you feel that way. This is my first certification, although I plan on grabbing up as many as I can and learning as much as I can, so I was just curious as to why you had such a poor opinion of the class.
As far as the original question, I can’t speak for anything but the ISSA course that I’m taking, which I’ve been pretty satisfied with. The only thing I really dislike about the course (just my views on it), which may help explain the passing rate vs ACSM, is the fact that the test is open book. I don’t recall the option of reading straight from the book in school, lol, so I don’t really believe in it here either, as, theoretically, you could recieve the book, and take the test the same day. Hence, as I actually want to learn, I’ve been reading and re-reading the entire thing so it’s actually LEARNED and committed to memory.
Anyway, that’s my views on it, and I’d be interested also from everyone on here to hear about the different types of sound certifications out there from anyone who has knowledge on them. Thanks everyone!
KUBO
I would agree w/ BodyIQ on this one. Also corpotate/ hospital sites, look for ACSM where as if you are think aboutworking with a w/ a school high, college or pro they tend to look at the C.S.C.S. cert. from NSCA.
Kubo, I didn’t mean give such an anti-ISSA impression. I’ve seen some of the study/review materials (half-decent info.), but not all that is offered, so I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I just don’t understand the nature of test (open book and what not). That doesn’t serve much purpose to educate. I wouldn’t have had a big problem going through college with open book tests, but I wouldn’t have learned dick. I also haven’t found much recognition/need for their certifications in the fields I have worked (sports medicine/physical therapy/personal training). Of course, I think we’ll both agree that any certification certainly won’t make you an expert in any area, but can be an educational process if you make the most of it. It sounds like you’ve had a different (positive) experience with it. That’s cool.
Cool. I was just curious. As I said, I am definitely interested in furthering my education after I complete this one, and was as well wondering where to start. I agree though as well, the open book part of the test is a little half assed, but I suppose it depends on if people actually use it or not for the test. I’m just choosing not to. My fiance also works for a chiropractor, so I’ve got about 16 hours worth of human disection videos at home, anatomy books, etc, to help me learn as much as possible for the moment.
Perhaps afterwards, I shall be going through ACSM for my second cert. I’m a big fan of coaches such as Poliquin, King, etc, and the ISSA, while I feel it’s a good place to start, to make a CAREER of it’s a little too general. Thanks for the info guys. 
Tony it really has much to do with which region of the country you’re in. Even which city within that region. Check with some of the other gyms in the area to see where they demand certification from–penny