Another Personal trainer ??

tonymcclellan

tonymcclellan

2
I stumbled upon this forum as I am wanting to become a certified personal trainer. I am not pursuing any degree in fitness or kinesiology. Basically I am looking for certification with a love for weight training and exercise. I was looking at ISSA and NESTA. NESTA has an enormous amount of programs and are affiliated with alot of other companies (NASM, NBFE). In the gym scene, is it more of the big name company? Many people have not heard of NESTA, but they have so much information on their site, with links to everything. I want to most likely work at a gym, with maybe some freelance. I see everyone says ACE, ASCM, and NASM, but what do you think of the two I have listed?
I seen Gold's Gym only wants NBFE I think, but they dont offer courses, just tests. Any info would help.
 
Gold's Gym will hire any moron off the street that can sell... If you notice their job requirements all that is required of you is a High School degree... I use to work for them and they just made some of their front desk workers as personal trainers! I got out of there, because they are super shady people... will say whatever you want to hear...

But back to the question... As far as certification, from my point of view, it doesn't matter what certification you have as long as you know what you are doing and doing it properly... As i've said before, I know alot of people that are ACE certified and the best trainers around... and then there are the NASM, CSCS, w/ a college degree, and they're aweful...

I know that may have not helped, but to the general public, they don't know better and all they want are results.
 
you're in the same boat i am. i want to be a trainer because i love weightlifting and everything about it. Supplements, nutrition, weightlifting, bodybuilding, HIIT, etc. it's all very interesting and exciting to me. i'm not pursuing a degree in fitnes or kinesiology either. i was thinking about the ACE certification too. wish i could help ya, hopefully someone can, for both our benefit.
 
I am also in the same boat but in the UK.

Personally, I read so many books on fitness that I chose the cheapest course that was nationally recognised bcos I knew that even though the course itself wouldnt be that good (which it isnt) I knew that I would still build up loads of info from reading books and looking online. If you have this dedication then you will have an advantage over many other PTs.

Also, you can read as many books and do as many courses as you want but some people are just good at dealing with people. In my Gym there are 3 PTs, 2 of them are qualified up to their eyeballs but are really obnoxious and arrogant while the 3rd guy is only actually a fitness instructor and doesnt really have much experience. However, this guy is so friendly and likeable that he has more clients than the other 2 put together and everyone in the gym loves him and enjoys training with him.

So if you are confident you will be a hit with people and you will always be reading up then I dont think the course you choose will matter that much.
 
Thanks

With that said, I think I am gonna go with NESTA. I really like their website, along with all the "accessories" they offer. They offer cheap prices to create a website, a diet planner if you wanted (dietguru), and tons of courses. I am gonna get their CPT and Advanced CPT programs together, about $550 dollars. I researched them on and didnt get anything. I've heard of ISSA, but what I dont like is that you cannot see any info on their website. You have to give them your info, they call and ask you to sign up. I try to be a knowledgeable consumer and check alternatives ya know. Anyways thanks guys.
 
Before you do, try and speak to people who have qualified with them. The people who work for the company will spin you a load of crap if youre not careful.

Also, make sure it is recognised. In the UK we have the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) and if a course isnt recognised by REPS then its a waste of time.

Research everything in terms of insurance as well.
 
Check it out

Does this seem right? They do offer liability insurance as well (accessories). I also liked their infant massage certification, since I just found that my baby due in February is gonna be a boy!
 
You could do teh personal trainer certificiation through teh NSCA which is the top certifying board among all the boards. Or the other option I'd go with is the ACSM.
 
tonymcclellan said:
Does this seem right? They do offer liability insurance as well (accessories). I also liked their infant massage certification, since I just found that my baby due in February is gonna be a boy!
Click to expand...

I wouldnt wanna say as things are different in the UK. Speak to as amny people as you can other than people whos job it is to sell the company.

And you MUST speak to at least one person who has done the same course with them.
 
Plan on it

I plan on getting certified through a couple of the big companies, ACSM and NBFE, but what I need is a study program to build my knowledge. I would like to get into the business in about two to three months, this way I can learn everything I can. Then I plan on continuing my knowledge through nutrition and flexibility certifications. I wanna become an all-around trainer.
 
That sounds good my friend but you should also maybe specialize in one area. If not you might not stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Examples of speciality areas:

Bodybuilding
Weight loss + management
Sport specific fitness
Teenage fitness

Its up to you really and you should have a good all-round knowledge but think about it, do you want to be just any old personal trainer or do you want to be 'New Jerseys finest Bodybuilding coach'?!

Make yourself special by having specialist knowledge.
 
That's actually the route personal training is getting... I've also heard some 'rumors' that that are possibly thinking of making personal trainers registered medical professionals, so then you have to more of a 'specialty' certification.

I know a lot of gyms up here in MN are doing that. They have rehab specialist, weight loss specialist, etc... If you want a lot of clients, I'd shoot for more of the 'rehab' side, I mean, how many people have "low back pain" compared who want to be body builders... Just think of the population of the club that you want to work at and see what would work best there...
 
Personally I am going for the home visits targeting middle class housewives who are overweight bcos they sit in eating cakes while their husbands play golf and sleep with their secretaries.

Believe me, where I live it is a big client base!

p.s. I am thinking of calling my business 'Desperate Housewives'- do you think it would work?!
 
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