Personal training certifications

Ivanko · Sep 9, 2009

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

I want to start training part time for extra money. I've been looking around at these different personal training programs that you can take online. Some are $50, some are $500. It's been suggested to me that if I already know what I need to know to pass the exam I should just take the cheapest exam / program and not spend extra money on study materials. Sounds good but I don't know how potential employers or clients look at different certifications. Does it matter where/how you get certified?

7_Deadly_Sins · Sep 9, 2009

Call the gyms you plan to apply at and see what certs they accept. Remember, certs won't make you a good or bad personal trainer..your experience will. Certs only get your foot in the door.
ISSA is what I have, it's online, really informative and accepted nearly every where..if you need more info lmk.

MightyJohn · Sep 10, 2009

NASM is another well regarded certification

monkeybizniz · Sep 10, 2009

a lot of places ask for you to have nasm

superman21 · Sep 10, 2009

A.C.E

tr · Sep 10, 2009

Dave Palumbo
**broken link removed**

$40 for textbook, $120 for certification (if you pass exam)

hardcoremt · Sep 10, 2009

ISSA all the way. Especially if your a Bodybuilder. The material flows and is interesting. The ACE is a pain in the ass. Too much nonsense jibber jabber IMO. ISSA Trainers are on hand and very knowledgeable to help you with your career.
Id hire a ISSA CFT in a heartbeat if i owned a gym.

Jappy's Boy · Sep 14, 2009

Call the gyms you plan to apply at and see what certs they accept

That's excellent advice. Be wary of the cheap certs. If Gyms don't recognize your cert, then it does you no good.

Truepeptides · Sep 14, 2009

hey bro i did the ISSA it was quick and easy and accepted at most gyms. The only gym it didn't work for was NYSC. They are real picky.

MikeS · Sep 14, 2009

ACE and NASM are nationally accepted. And yes, ACE is a pain, and most of the stuff is nothing you will apply in your daily training...you may even do the opposite of what they suggest (I do). But it looks good to your employer.