Any personal trainers here?

[SevenStar]

If so, who are you certified through?

[sanjuro_ronin]

Dale (Knifefighter) is a certified one.
I was ages ago ( at least it seems ages, lol).

[David Jamieson]

If so, who are you certified through?

Unfortunately this is not a regulated profession in Canada and essentially someones golden retriever could certify you.

I think the same is true of USA.

Someone could essentially learn from fitness dvds and then go out and start their business as a PT.

So, look for a BA with a major in Physical Education / Kinesiology if you want a good PT. That person has been educated and won't just shove their workout on you as if what worked for them will work for you.

sorry to go off track, just sayin...

[Oso]

i'm guessing you are looking to change or add a profession?

i did some research on this for myself a while back...let me see if i can find my notes but it's on HD that is just sitting in a box and not on a machine...so, may not.

there are several places online but their 'street cred' is not so good...but, they are cheaper and offer 'initials'...could be a place to start since you'd probably not be utilizing their 'training' anyway. :)

[Drake]

According to the Army, I am.

[SevenStar]

i'm guessing you are looking to change or add a profession?

i did some research on this for myself a while back...let me see if i can find my notes but it's on HD that is just sitting in a box and not on a machine...so, may not.

there are several places online but their 'street cred' is not so good...but, they are cheaper and offer 'initials'...could be a place to start since you'd probably not be utilizing their 'training' anyway. :)

I'm group certified already, and people are constantly asking if I can train them, so yeah, I think it may be time for a change. ACE is the easy one to get. the harder ones are ASCM and NSCA. I've got the NSCA study material, but have been considering getting the ACE just for the quick paper. from what a co-worker tells me, nobody really cares about the cert itself. He said that in 10 years of training clients, he's only had 3 to ask him who he was certified through, and they were just being conversational. He was telling me that the only way it really mattered was if I was trying to go into something like occupational therapy.

[Scott R. Brown]

I used to personal train 20 years ago. I was never certified and I probably never would have gotten one either, for the reasons that David gave....anyone can get one, so it doesn't necessarily meaning anything to be certified.

For myself, I was hired by a buddy of mine who had a masters in Exercise Physiology, he had faith in my ability and knowledge and we ran a gym at an Occupational Physical Therapy facility with doctors and Physical Therapists on staff and as owners. He has been running his own gym, and personal training himself, for about 15 years now.

It was a worthwhile experience. I was very well respected by my clients who included, Doctors, Lawyers, Retired Professionals, Police Officers, etc.

I insisted on keep the equipment spotless. I went back to visit a year after I quit and I was appalled at the condition of the equipment!:mad::(

[SevenStar]

I used to personal train 20 years ago. I was never certified and I probably never would have gotten one either, for the reasons that David gave....anyone can get one, so it doesn't necessarily meaning anything to be certified.

For myself, I was hired by a buddy of mine who had a masters in Exercise Physiology, he had faith in my ability and knowledge and we ran a gym at an Occupational Physical Therapy facility with doctors and Physical Therapists on staff and as owners. He has been running his own gym, and personal training himself, for about 15 years now.

It was a worthwhile experience. I was very well respected by my clients who included, Doctors, Lawyers, Retired Professionals, Police Officers, etc.

I insisted on keep the equipment spotless. I went back to visit a year after I quit and I was appalled at the condition of the equipment!:mad::(


right, but you were hired by a friend. no occupational therapy facility will hire anyone uncertified. you can definitely train on your own - their is no requirement stating that you cannot. However, the inconvenience there is that you don't have access to a facility, unless you have your own studio to use. Most gyms won't hire a non certified trainer, and though you make more through training on your own, gyms provide endless clients and connections, which is why I continue to teach in them - they have led to some pretty good money for me.

And correction on the "anyone can get one" thing - there are less than 13,000 NSCA certified trainers, and some certifications, like the CSCS require a 4 year degree in a related field.

[Oso]

I'm group certified already, and people are constantly asking if I can train them, so yeah, I think it may be time for a change. ACE is the easy one to get. the harder ones are ASCM and NSCA. I've got the NSCA study material, but have been considering getting the ACE just for the quick paper. from what a co-worker tells me, nobody really cares about the cert itself. He said that in 10 years of training clients, he's only had 3 to ask him who he was certified through, and they were just being conversational. He was telling me that the only way it really mattered was if I was trying to go into something like occupational therapy.

yep...that's what i determined as well.

[taai gihk yahn]

if u want to work as a trainer, the CSCS is a great thing to have, and, AFAIK u don't need a 4 yr. degree - to get it, u just hav to study their materials and take the test;

beyond that, if u want to work with athletes/rehab, an ATC is a good degree if u don't want the hassle/expense of getting a PT degree (which is now 3 yrs. plus at least 2 yrs. of pre-reqs)

[Scott R. Brown]

...And correction on the "anyone can get one" thing - there are less than 13,000 NSCA certified trainers, and some certifications, like the CSCS require a 4 year degree in a related field.

Like I have said, ANYONE can get a certification. Anyone can join NSCA and get certified through them. It isn't that hard to do, which is why I didn't waste my time getting certified. I was a member of NSCA for years, I was not impressed, which is why I am no longer a member. I laud these guys for organizing themselves, however. It does provide credibility for a field that is filled with more than their share of incompetents and dolts. But, because ANYONE can get certified, even dolts and incompetents can get certified.

[SevenStar]

if u want to work as a trainer, the CSCS is a great thing to have, and, AFAIK u don't need a 4 yr. degree - to get it, u just hav to study their materials and take the test;

beyond that, if u want to work with athletes/rehab, an ATC is a good degree if u don't want the hassle/expense of getting a PT degree (which is now 3 yrs. plus at least 2 yrs. of pre-reqs)

according to their website, it's a pre req:



Prerequisites
Registrants must submit an original, official transcript of their academic work, showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree (BS/BA) or chiropractic medicine degree granted by an accredited institution. College seniors can also take the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam; however, they must be currently enrolled in an accredited institution.* For college seniors, the NSCA Certification will not release exam scores until transcripts verifying graduation and noting the degree earned have been received.**

[SevenStar]

Like I have said, ANYONE can get a certification. Anyone can join NSCA and get certified through them. It isn't that hard to do, which is why I didn't waste my time getting certified. I was a member of NSCA for years, I was not impressed, which is why I am no longer a member. I laud these guys for organizing themselves, however. It does provide credibility for a field that is filled with more than their share of incompetents and dolts. But, because ANYONE can get certified, even dolts and incompetents can get certified.

makes it sound like martial arts, no? ;)

[SevenStar]

Gotta remember, this isn't about knowledge, but rather a foot in the door. your foot in the door was having a buddy to hire you. without that, you need the piece of paper. I teach at several different gyms, and none will hire you as a trainer without your cert on file.