I want to do a personal trainer certificiation program. There are so many out there and I’m not sure which one to do. I was thinking of doing the ISSA one, but I need help from others who have done certification programs, which is the best, bearing in mind that my ultimate goal is to be a CHEK practitioner?
This has been covered several times before. Search the archives.
The certification I found best was Future Fit based in LA. They have weekend certifications twice a month in LA and have them also in atlanta, pennsylvania, and florida. The cost when I did them was $249. They have a really good hands-on section that goes through the gym and shows the proper executions of exercises. Hope that helps. Their website is www.futurefit.net
The National Strength & Conditioning Association’s has an excellent program. It is held in high regard the world wide. Does a certification really mean anything, not really. There are some very knowledgable trainers who are not certified. However, if your going to get one. go with the best. 1-719-632-6722
weekend certifications are a joke. do the NSCA one CPT or their CSCS.
ISSA or NSCA CSCS or CPT both have advantages and drawbacks. The big advantage is through the eyes of other professionals you will have the better certification. Some employers prefer a NSCA certification though. If you ask knowledgable people in the business certification doesn’t mean anything. Any other certfication is a joke, don’t even bother, unless you want something quick so you can start making money. If you do take a weekend one, only put it on your resume until you get a better one. Something else you may consider is becoming a USAW club coach. Knowledgable professionals should respect that the most.
ISSA will support you all the way. You burn a whole in your pocket getting it, but it is well worth it. They go above and beyond to help you out. The offer seminars with Tom Platz, Fred Hatfield, and Charles Staley. I am also NSCA certified as well. It has more name recognition than ISSA but I wouldnt say is any better. Best bang for your buck get ISSA, but name recognition NSCA.
Greg Gonzales
ISSA-CFT, NSCA-CPT
Good points from BigC and Greg. You could just get something quick to help fund the other certifications. If I am not mistaken though you may have to have a degree in the HPER field for the NSCA CSCS.
I, too, am certified with the NSCA and ISSA. Admittedly, I am “Ace-certified” as well. I probably won’t maintain the CEU’s for that one. As a gym owner, I’ll take whatever falls on a convenient weekend and in a convenient place. It is important for me to know what goes into each certification. When it comes down to it, the ISSA will give you the most support. The NSCA Journal is great. If you don’t need multiple certifications, I suggest the ISSA for certification/specialization and become a “professional member” of the NSCA. As I continue to advance in this industry, I’ll be aquiring whatever is convenient and most productive for it’s convenience. For example, the NSCA CEU’s are pretty widely accepted. I’ll take all of my CEU’s with them. If this gets me qualified to re-certify with ACE, I will. Otherwise, I’ll lapse them. My plan is to get the *D on my NSCA certification, re-certify what I can, and then I’ll specialize with the ISSA (probably starting with the SSC). As the organizations grow and change so may my plans. These are just my experiences and “two cents” on that. I hope it helps. Oh, and to the guy that suggested that the NSCA test wasn’t a weekender…that’s right. It’s a one-dayer. Proctored tests are a joke to me. The NSCA is a good organization, but let’s not assume that makes the test the be all to end all factor in trainer qualifications. I don’t think that’s what you were implying, but I wanted to clarify. As an employer, I will only hire the most qualified individual. Certified or not, NSCA or ACE. It’s a nonfactor where I’m concerned. I trust my own judgement more than theirs.
Stay strong, R.