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Thread: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

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    Veteran Member ChocolateKiss's Avatar
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    Default I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Hey everyone, I have been working out for a couple years, and I have read a lot of books on sports, and nutrition, and I have also had a few personal trainers. Anyway, I want to become a certified personal trainer. I think that the job would make me very happy, and fit me very well because fitness is my life. I will still dance too, but probably just on weekends, and maybe one day during the week. Anyway if anyone can tell me how to go about getting certified for personal training, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanx!!!

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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    It depends how you want to go about it. I just finished my certification correspondence through NESTA http://www.nestacertified.com/ they also have alot of great courses to continue your learning once you get qualified as a trainer: http://www.nestacertified.com/nesta_...r_program.html

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Well, the more edumacation you have, the more money you make. So, if you want this to be your "career", then I would suggest majoring in something like Physiology or something. Then get your certification through NESTA or even ACE (to get started).

    It's hard work, but it can pay off. Good luck!

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    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    ^ Agreed on the physiology and/or sports medicine educational path.
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Yes you definately need to have some sort of personal background, experiences, related education before you pursue personal training.

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    Veteran Member ChocolateKiss's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Thanx for your advice everyone--Krys I visited the NESTA website--thanx for the link, and I am going to register for the ACPT training sometime this weekend. Also do you work as a CPT currently Krys? If so how do you like it? and how is the $ for CPT where u live?

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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    ISSA for me

    Kinesiology is very common for trainers.
    You can't love something you think is flawless - me


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    Veteran Member ChocolateKiss's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    What is ISSA is it a CPT course?

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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Yup, they are a personal trainer certification organization
    You can't love something you think is flawless - me


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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Quote Originally Posted by ChocolateKiss
    Thanx for your advice everyone--Krys I visited the NESTA website--thanx for the link, and I am going to register for the ACPT training sometime this weekend. Also do you work as a CPT currently Krys? If so how do you like it? and how is the $ for CPT where u live?
    You got a PM sweetness

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    God/dess scarlett_vancouver's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    A bachelor's in kinesiology is an asset. I'm a certified group fitness instructor, and I'll tell ya that doesn't pay well at all. Personal training can be very lucrative, but it's all business skills (kind of like dancing!). Once you have the credentials, you still have to work hard to build up a client base, word of mouth referrals etc.

    Try working in a gym, maybe? You can often work at a gym with a 100 hour correspondence course certificate, and you can get a taste of whether you really like helping others train. I know it bores me to tears (except designing step routines- that's fun!).

    Do you want to focus on a specific aspect of training?I know here trainers can specialize in weights, weight loss, etc.

    Feature costumes for sale!

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    Featured Member tampadancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    I'm certified though ISSA also. check out their website at www.fitnesseducation.com

    also, i do suggest getting a degree in exercise science or something similar IF you want to do this for a long time.

    However, if you just want to work at a gym, all you'll need is a HS diploma and national cert. Most private studios require a B.S. and some sort of competetion history (fitness, figure, bodybuilding) in addition. Mind you, private studios are the way to go - better $$ usually and no corporate sales bullshit (as is with big chains like ballys)

    Youll also have to get a CPR certification, and some form of first aid training is helpful (ive had people puke, pass out, even one guy had a heart attack on me... what a good trainer i am! lol)

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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    I passed out recently doing snatches(the weightlifting move, not the other kind). Managed to complete the move, then once I put the bar back down, out I went.
    You can't love something you think is flawless - me


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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Quote Originally Posted by Sh0t
    I passed out recently doing snatches(the weightlifting move, not the other kind). Managed to complete the move, then once I put the bar back down, out I went.
    Hehe best to do these things AFTER the weight has been restacked

    Glad to hear you didn't hurt yourself!

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    Veteran Member Lovespell's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    I'd also like to be certified as a personal trainer. Once I move out to California, that's what I would like to do. Train, dance and go to school.

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    Senior Member Schea's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    I wanted to be a personal trainer, but now I am a rehab aide for a physical therapist while I go to school. I would suggest getting at least an associates in exercise science or something related, and honestly ACE certification is great and all but the gold standard is ACSM which is the American College of Sports Medicine. It is a very hard test and requires some sort of related schooling to pass. I passed on the training b/c it really doesn't pay that well and you must do a lot of sales including supplements which I just wasn't comforable with.

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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    I just wanted to add that NCSF (NCSF.org) is a great certification to get/have. To my understanding, when all of the different the exam providers were getting reviewed by NCCA. NCSF were the only ones who didn't need to change anything in order to become accredited (other than to start testing through a third party). They are however the new kids on the block and some gyms might not accept them yet, I'm not sure. ACSM is the gold standard but you need a college degree to take their exam. Everyone seems to be impressed with ACE and everyone accepts that certification, so they might even be the way to go. They also provide the easiest exam to pass (in my opinion). Good luck

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    Senior Member Schea's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    That scares me that the ACE exam is the easiest. I am currently going to school for physical therapy, and work as a rehab aide during the day and it is amazing the injuries that people get at the gym due to poor judgment of a trainer...IMO every trainer should have a 2 or 4 year degree and ACSM certification

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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Interesting article:


    A Degree or a Certification for Becoming a Personal Trainer

    By Mark Baines, Director of NESTA Education

    As the personal training industry has grown and the scope and standards of practice for personal trainers has become more unclear the debate has grown over the need for a certification or a degree program for personal trainers.

    All forms of education differ in educational content, length of education, and recognition or acceptance of that education by external entities (government or third party). One form of education is not necessarily better than another. Just like exercise, it depends on the goal of the individual. Neither time spent on education nor amount of education is sufficient for proving mastery or expertise. Education comes in many forms.

    If the goal is to perform research and obtain greater knowledge in the field of exercise science, then a degree is recommended. However, if the goal is simply to work as a personal trainer, certification may be recommended. Degree programs are typically very good at teaching clinical and research science, but typically do not apply very well to the wide range of needs and skills of a personal trainer. Most degree programs are more towards preparation for further research or clinical applications. A quality certification will either provide a great finish to the research of a degree or a great beginning to an individual who is new to exercise science and wants a well-rounded “mini degree” with more diverse and applicable skills for a personal trainer. The mistake for either a degree or certification would be to assume its education is enough or better. One can never have too much education or experience.

    Neither a degree nor a certification means that an individual knows everything required to be considered an expert in a given field. Expertise requires both knowledge and years of hands-on experience. To be an expert is to learn and grow at a continuous rate, without ceasing. The individual must decide if their current needs are better met by a degree or by certification.

    Last edited by krys; 05-10-2005 at 07:37 AM.

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Quote Originally Posted by Schea
    That scares me that the ACE exam is the easiest. I am currently going to school for physical therapy, and work as a rehab aide during the day and it is amazing the injuries that people get at the gym due to poor judgment of a trainer...IMO every trainer should have a 2 or 4 year degree and ACSM certification
    I would have to agree here. I had an ACE certification when I FIRST became involved in the field...I didn't even study for the test. I was more of a "duh" test (not knocking anyone). I've always been anal about form when weight-lifting and group exercises. I do agree, though, that professional trainers should have knowledge under their belts. In fact, most gyms are now requiring that their trainers have former schooling in some type of anatomy class along with several certifications.

  21. #21
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Funny enough, just a day ago a good friend of mine in NYC (he's an editor and pretty serious athlete) revealed he's thinking about becoming a personal trainer. I'm clipping Krys post above and sending it off to him.

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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: I want to be a certified personal trainer!

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicagoeditor
    Funny enough, just a day ago a good friend of mine in NYC (he's an editor and pretty serious athlete) revealed he's thinking about becoming a personal trainer. I'm clipping Krys post above and sending it off to him.
    Funny how the info comes along when you need it

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