I have been a bodybuilder for about four years and I am thinking about going into personal training. Which certification is the best?
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Best Personal Trainer Programs
- Thread starter ClintonPort
- Start date
I personally think the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) is the best if you are in the states. Its a bit more expensive than some of the others and its harder to get but worth it in my opinion as it is very well respected.
I personally think the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) is the best if you are in the states. Its a bit more expensive than some of the others and its harder to get but worth it in my opinion as it is very well respected.
ACSM is really the best if you plan on special populations or outpatient training. They do a lot on the research side of things, particularly on cardiovascular issues. Still a great and respected cert, but not as consumer-friendly as it was in the past.
NSCA CPT and CSCS may be a good route for you. They do a lot of work on the athletics side of things.
NASM CPT is probably the most sought after by the major gym chains right now, as they've really been the major pusher of functional training, proprioception, and muscle balance, though I think they still do a good job across the training spectrum.
I'd say that these are the top 3 right now
Any of the above certifications will be fine. Most all gyms will accept any of them when you are applying for a job. Your clients won't know the difference, the smart ones just make sure that you are certified.
From a practical standpoint. Choose a cert that has a lot of information on subjects you need to learn more about. Acsm-clincal. Nsca-sport performance. Nasm-functional. That way you get certified and bring up a weak area.
Don't expect any cert to be ground breaking training information. They are meant to show competancy in the field, not label you as a professional.
From a practical standpoint. Choose a cert that has a lot of information on subjects you need to learn more about. Acsm-clincal. Nsca-sport performance. Nasm-functional. That way you get certified and bring up a weak area.
Don't expect any cert to be ground breaking training information. They are meant to show competancy in the field, not label you as a professional.
Any of the above certifications will be fine. Most all gyms will accept any of them when you are applying for a job. Your clients won't know the difference, the smart ones just make sure that you are certified.
From a practical standpoint. Choose a cert that has a lot of information on subjects you need to learn more about. Acsm-clincal. Nsca-sport performance. Nasm-functional. That way you get certified and bring up a weak area.
Don't expect any cert to be ground breaking training information. They are meant to show competancy in the field, not label you as a professional.
As I've spent the last 3 months interviewing at gyms and other places within the health fitness field, I've come to earn firsthand that 2/3 of the major gym chains require NASM, usually within the first 2 to 6 months of employment, and then encourage a secondary certification by improving pay structures based upon attaining more than one cert.