NFPT vs. IFPA

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annarb1

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I am about to begin the certification process to become a personal trainer. I have narrowed it down to either NFPT or IFPA. Both are nationally accredited. Can anyone help me out with what you think is best?

Thanks,

Anna
 
Just out of curiosity, what made you decide on one of those two?
 
I wanted one that was nationally certified and that offered online CE's. Plus some of the trainers at the gym recommend both of those. Along with NASM, but that one is really in depth.

Do you have experience with either of them?
 
annarb1 said:
I wanted one that was nationally certified and that offered online CE's. Plus some of the trainers at the gym recommend both of those. Along with NASM, but that one is really in depth.

Do you have experience with either of them?
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With all due respect, wouldn't you prefer something in depth? You'll be working with people that will directly benefit from your knowledge and expertise. And while a trainer's individual certification is hardly the end-all be-all of their knowledge base, it does set the stage for the learning process. Why would you want something that is sub-standard?

I wouldn't recommend either of the first two, but definitely the NASM, along with the NSCA
 
Precisely. If you're looking at making personal training a (lucrative) career, the better you are trained, the better you will be able to train others.

And if you plan on eventually working at some of the better national chain gyms such as Lifetime Fitness, you are going to need to have a cert like NASM, NSCA, or ACSM.
 
Both the NFPT and IFPA are good certifications. NASM, while well meaning are realy so so presenters of information.

I dont understand why the other poster doesnt recommend either NFPT or IFPA.
Really anything that is accredited is going to be good.
NASM for some is confusing because of their presentation of the material.

It boils down to what cert offers what you are looking for. I went with the IFPa and NESTA because they taught to my style and they were cut dry. I don't need 600 pages of "theory" like I think NASM is, while being a good program. Ace suffers from the same thing.
 
I think that you should look at what Organizations are out there and what they offer. Which is accredited and which is not. Why not get a BA in Exercise Science and a Cert. I think that "theory" is good as if makes you think and maybe you can come up with a new way to do something. I can look up exercises and diets online and in magizines. Being a trainer you are there to motivate, help and instruct, not just watch. Can you push someone? Can you answer thier questions on the spot?

sorry to intimidate you if I did and good luck as I think that we need all the people we can get to spread the "gospel' of fitness
 
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