Whose got one? I doubt if there is anything available in my area so it would have to be a self study course of some sort. Possibly over the net? Does anyone know of anything?
I do realize that the general consensus of the forum is that most personal trainers are imbeciles so save those remarks.
A personal training certification does not necessarily make someone a good trainer. There are those who are without a certification that are great trainers. Conversely, there are those who are certified that are complete garbage.
However, you do typically need to be “certified” to work in a gym. I’ve heard that ISSA is good, but I can’t be sure as I’m one of the uncertified ones. Basically, get whatever cert you want, but don’t let that dictate whether you’re reputable. Your results and knowledge will speak for themselves whether you’re certified or not.
Most Gyms dont care much what certification you have, just that you have it.
You can get N.E.S.T.A. online, possibly the cheapest one you can get.
If you want the most reputable ones, NASM and NSCA are among the best choices. I hear coach Davies (or is it Charles Staley?) heads IFAA, but I could be wrong.
Paul Chek also offers a range of specialization courses in a variety of opics, which may be of use if you’re trying to give yourself an edge in the business.
Do you need the best certification? No But it may help.
Thanks guys. I already “help out” quite a few people and I’m just looking at the future. I may quit the ol’ day job in the next 4-5 years to do more freelance writing and photography and some “official” personal trainer work might help out the income as well as keep me in shape.
Thanks again.
there is no reputable certs. only you can give yourself a good rep.
Find out what cert your gym pays most for, and get it. Seriously. Your knowledge and expertise, not your cert, makes you a good trainer. The two most universally respected are NSCA and ACSM, but even these should be viewed as a way to get your foot in the door, not as a way to amass the knowledge you need to be a successful trainer.
The most important thing to remember about the personal training business is that it is a BUSINESS. At the end of the day you can have all the letters and certifications you want, but if you aren’t good you’re going to be mighty hungry. This does not bode well for packing on mass.
Get what you need as far as a certification to employ yourself ASAP. Perhaps the cheapest easiest one you can get will get you into your local gym. Then you can start making money via getting your clients results. Remember that getting one certification does not preclude you from getting another better one later. If income is your goal just help people reach their goals and you’ll have clients up the wazoo AND they won’t give a damn what your certifications are. Referrals are your best money maker.
Two great t-mag articles on this topic…
First one is called “So You Want To Be A Personal Trainer,” all the way back to Issue #40 in '99. Talks about the reputable certifications out there, plus the ones to avoid.
Second is “The Spy Who Fragged Me,” where Shugart went undercover to find out what some personal trainers actually new…
Both are very good reads…Use the search engine, and I believe there also located in the FAQ section…
It is a business. You’ll soon find out it’s not how much you know it’s what character you have.
I always have a serious, balls-to-the-wall attitude in anything I do (barring retarded posts, and a few other addictions). Does it help me? Only after I give a client an actual workout and they realize I have the knowledge and I can push them harder than anyone else because of my character. Does it help when prospecting for a client who has nothing other than my character to go on? Not exactly. The friendlier you are and the more willing you are to pitch in a sale, and the closer you are willing to become with someone you dont know, the better you’ll do.
My only good traits as far as this business goes are knowledge and my dedication to get it, and my character which compels someone to push themselves harder, drill-sergeant like.
All other qualities you need, I dont have them. Anything I sell, it’s because of what I ACTUALLY have to offer, not because I’m such a COOL trainer.
deisel if you are talking about most commercial gyms like Bally total fitness, NYSC, Gold Gyms, you are absolutly correct. But, if you are looking to get into a reputable training facility you are not going to get in!
What, I mean by reputable I mean place like where I work at Plus One that deals w/ mainly corporate wellness, Equinox health clubs, Perisi Speed camp/ personal training/heath club. Also, you won’t get into LA Sports Culb either.
My suggestion is that if you are going to make this your living sreach for a good cert. like NASM,ACSM, NSCA.
I would never work in a bally’s or a NYSC,Gold’s, world’s Ect. They can’t afford me.
By the way those clients that you find in Equinox, a more reputable health club will stay with you if you decide to leave the club most of them will follow you wherever you go. Unlike some where like Bally’s or NYSC.
But, if you are looking to make some quick cash on the side then any cert will do and bally’s will hire you so long as you got a cert.
It really all depends on what you want to do is this going to be a career move or just a job to get a side job to make extra cash.
That choice I leave up for you to make.
In Health,
Silas C.
a trainer that doesn’t shit about abbuct or adducting please deisel you are too high almighty please come down to mother earth ;).
whatever you do, dont get an ace. i worked at a commercial gym for awhile, and more certs mean more money. after readin the book and goin to take the test, i decided to eat the 350-plus it cost to do the whole thing cause that cert is so worthless. it really says things in the book like your body needs no more than 70g of protein a day if you’re a hard training athlete, and heavy weights make you bulky. i swear to you it does. i couldnt in good conscience pass that and make money off of it and the people who take my advice. but there are a few really good ones. nscaa i believe is very reputable and respected. good luck man
Fitone,
Let’s not make assumptions about those not having certifications or those with the “lower grade” certs. Once again I’ll state, a personal training certification means absolutely nothing. Granted, I don’t have one and your training facility probably wouldn’t hire me. The sad part is that they’d be missing out on a highly successful, very educated trainer. Not to worry though…I have my own business and I’m making a killing. Shhh…don’t tell my clients that I’m not ACSM certified. 
The bottom line is that a less expensive certification will get you in the door. If they don’t hire you now they will want to when you’ve shown yourself to be knowledgable and you can give 'em all the finger.
Kinetix, I don’t know you personally so I can’t comment on your training philosophy or your ability to train to train clients, but here’s the thing in the long run if you want to make this your career like I side you should get a good cert. And, I hate to admit ACE to because that will get you in the door w/ a lot of companies.
You got to start somewhere. Unless, you have money to start your own facility the who cares what cert. you have its your business.
But, if you don’t have the money to start w/ you have to build up clientele at a local gym ect. Then your reputation speaks for itself usually.