NASM Certification

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illiniphase4

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I have a question for any and all of the NASM certified trainers here on the forums.

But first, a little bit about my background:
I am currently serving as a Naval Officer and my commitment is up in December. I plan on heading back to college to work on a graduate degree, but until then, I am looking into jobs as a personal trainer. I attained an undergraduate B.S. in Kinesiology about 4 years ago, and was also a personal fitness trainer for around 3 years for the Division of Campus Recreation back in college.

So my question is: how difficult is the certification exam, what are its components (written, demonstration, clinical, etc.), and, knowing my background in kinesiology and training, how much of the study materials will I really need?

Right now I'm looking at purchasing only the 3rd edition textbook and study guide as test prep. On top of that, the two places that I have had luck in finding open positions that will take me (Bally’s and Lifetime) will allow me to work and train for 6 months before I have to obtain the certification, so I will have access to on-the-job resources to help me study for the exam. I also have all of the study and certification materials from my previous DCR PFT certification to study from.

Any pointers on exam prep are also most appreciated.
 
evolution said:
I don't have anything to add since I'm not NASM certified. But why did you pick them out instead of ACSM or NSCA?
Click to expand...

In my case, it was simple whim. Haven't even touched the thing since I read the text when it arrived.

I think what I'm trying to say is I'm curious as well.
 
evolution said:
I don't have anything to add since I'm not NASM certified. But why did you pick them out instead of ACSM or NSCA?
Click to expand...

While I'd like to get my ACSM because I plan on pursuing school to a research or clinical point, NASM is required if you work at Lifetime and is soon to be required if you work at Bally's (according to the director of personnel that I spoke with). NASM (even back when I was in college) was quickly becoming the front-runner certification for PFT as it's applied to training in the industry setting. ACSM has become far more specialized towards research and clinically based training; NSCA has for a long time been focused on team-based training, particularly with their CSCS (though I know that their CPT is still held in high regard).

So the short of it is that the only two gyms that will pay well enough and are close enough basically require NASM.

I forgot to mention that I also have the 6th edition ACSM materials to study from, as I had to have it for a clinical exercise physiology course back in college... so I guess I can add that to my list of study materials.
 
I have my NSCA and my NASM. Both I found ridiculously easy. In my opinion I wouldn't give too much weighting to any cert. The NASM is definitely easier than the NSCA. There are no clinical sections either. They're simply multiple choice, computer based exams. At least I hear they are both computer based nowadays.

If you're going to train in a gym, figure out what they like you to have in terms of certs and get that one.

If you're going to be training on your own, I'd go with the NSCA. cPT if you're working with gen pop or CSCS if you're working more with athletes.

Edit: Just read your second post... so it seems like it's in your best interest to go with the NASM. As for your initial question, again, there are no clinical/hand-on components. It's a simply multiple choice test. Though you should have a decent grasp of kinesiology and anatomy, you can pass the test without it.

Understand all the corrective flexibility info and relative terminology as well as exercise technique. From what I remember, those were heavy on the exam. I recently got my NASM b/c I was bored and wanted to see what the test was like. I literally read the book in a little over a week (very easy read) and scheduled the exam the following week. It took me just under 40 minutes to complete the exam.

If you have a BS in kines, I think you'll be surprised by the ease.
 
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What do you mean "The NASM is definitely easier than the NASM"

I am planning to fork over $500 for the test, I wanted to know which is easier NSCA or NASM?
 
Sorry, I edited the post.

The NASM is easier than the NSCA. At least from my perspective. Neither are overly hard, depending on your level of previous knowledge, of course.
 
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