I am trying to find out what is the most highly recommended certification and how long it takes? A website would be very helpful.
Thank You South
i have worked for new york sports clubs for the last 4 years and the two highest “rated” certifications are NSCA C.S.C.S and the ACSM exam. The company tells me that those two are the “gold standard”. the nsca web site is www.nsca-lift.org
on a personal note, please understand that if it is just a certification you are looking for, these two are the most recognized. if you are looking for a certification that is going to actually teach you something then i would without a doubt go with ISSA, it is the only one i have found that gives really good practical information. i only maintain my c.s.c.s for pay rate reasons. if you are trying to get certified to improve yourself or the results you get your clients then just stick to the articles on t-mag, dave tate’s elite site, or john berardi’s site. I hope this answer helps. just remember what ian king says in that there are two types of development you can make in your fitness career, personal development, which will make you a better trainer and person, or professional development, which will put letters behind your name and get you professional recognition.
I would suggest you look at the NSCA-LIFT.ORG website and consider trying to get their CSCS designation.
If you do not have a BS degree in a field related to training you cannot get a C.S.C.S certification. So you would need to get NSCA-CPT Certified instead which is very good. ISSA is also a very good certification. They offer more than any other certification out there and you can do it from home and test from home. There is also no re-test fee if you fail.
Thanks alot.
I like Shank’s advice. I’m with him, NSCA for professional development and studying from people with “real world” experience(Dave tate,CT,CP,Ian KIng,Charles Staley,Jay Schroeder,Cometti,Boutet and so on) for your personal development. This was the route I took and it’s working well.
I may be wrong on this but I believe to sit for the NSCA CSCS Exam you have to have a degree in any field as long as it is original, official transcript showing a BA/BS, DC or advanced degree.
I have called their toll free number inquiring on this subject and they stated as long as you have a college degree that is what they are looking for. Check out www.nsca-cc.org and there is alos a toll free number at the bottom of their web page if you have any questions.
wog1910 is correct. You can have a BA or Bsc in anything. You do not necessarily have to have a degree in a field related to exercise science.
wog when did they change that? I just looked and you’re correct. I remember it as always being “in a related field”
I’m not quite sure, I took a class based off their textbook “The Essentials of Strength and Conditioning” in the Spring of 03’. My instructor told me that as long as I obtained a degree there wasn’t a conflict even though I graduated from the business school. I do remember the reference “the related field” and I think that’s been done away with for at least the last couple of years…a guess though?
wog is correct, nsca is any degree undergrad, ascm is a related field undergrad. either can be passed with a week’s worth of study or less depending on your absorption rate and initial knowledge.
nsca,
just make some flash cards, listen to the tapes that come with the study packet (on your drive to the test if it is far enough), and watch the exercise description video a couple times…
you’ll just have to unlearn things like prelipin’s table, and any eastern influenced theories…
if you are a training nerd, the test is a joke, if not, it is moderately difficult… maybe.
go to search engine on your left, type in “so you want to be a personal trainer” and voila…
The problem I have with that article, aside from the fact that Nelson is a horrible writer, is that he basically found the worst of the certs. then bashed them for a while.
It’s cool to put down PT’s because there are so many horrible ones. Instead of just complaining, why not become one and better the industry.
I am a Strength coach, but I also do personal training. It’s good money, I get to help people, and it can be fun. I get people all the time who complain about previous trainiers (generic programs, wasn’t very interested in thier progress, talking on a cell phone while the client worked out!!!), so when I take them on as a client, I really strive to change their perception of the industry.
As far as certs? NSCA - CSCS and CPT are good. ISSA SSC and FT are good. NASM certs are ok.
Remember, the certs are about getting you the peice of paper needed to get the job (easier than without one) NOT to teach you everything there is to know about exercise. Read books, watch videos, lift weights, read T-mag, read MILO…don’t just depend on the cert. books. DO some friggin research, then test it on yourself. Too many people want things spoon fed to them.
ISSA actually has essay questions where you must break down the whole process of training for different clients. One question could be for a teenager the next could be for a 65 year old woman. It seems like they go a little further in testing the people they give their certification to, which is a GOOD thing.
Damn, I forgot to add the ACSM cert. Pretty good too.
Also, think about what you are trying to accomplish? Working in a gym? Different gyms have different standards. College strength coach? NSCA is prolly the most accepted. Want to work on your own? Most likely any cert. will do, as long as you get people results they couldn’t care less what letters are after your name.