Personal training certification or college?

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musclelady2

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Hello I'm new to this site. I've been in fitness for 7 years and I've learned a lot in knowing how to be fit and maintaining my weight. 7 years ago I weighed 250lbs and within 8 months of my first year in working out I lost 67 down to 185lbs. I had motivated myself to lose it. I strongly feel that if I can motivate myself to lose weight that I can movitate others. I'm still learning myself in keeping challenged to fight boredom and learning more and more about nutrition.

Now I want to help others lose weight and I have spoken to several personal trainers and some went to college and some just got their certification through some places like ACE and ISSA. Is there really any difference in how I can become a personal trainer and a group fitness instructor? I would greatly appreciate any advise and opened to any suggestions that anyone would have. My weight is still the same because I just workout and eat just to maintain my weight.
 
It depends on how much time you can put in. I can't tell you whether or not to go to college... that's not a simple decision to make. I can tell you that there are some certifications out there that require a four year degree to even register.

NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) is one of the most recognized and sought-after certs and you don't need a degree to become a CPT (Certified Personal Trainer). Personal Trainer Certification, Fitness Training, Personal Trainer | NASM Go to the 'Requirements' Tab

NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) CPT is another highly-recognized cert that you don't need a degree for. NSCA Certification: About the NSCA-CPT Credential

ASCM (American College of Sports Medicine) has a CPT cert which is a bit more 'medical' based. This is better for working with chronic disease, etc. as there is a strong emphasis on risk stratification for chronic disease populations. You don't learn as much about exercise technique, spotting, etc. which is a bit unfortunate. http://www.acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=ACSM_Certified_Personal_Trainer

What populations would you plan to work with?
 
I like to do personal training like my own business and have different cleints at different gyms. I would like to work with people at any fitness level even people who are just starting out. I know that being a personal trainer that you have to establish and build a clientele and build your name. As far as teaching group fitness I would like to teach a cardio fusion, interval bootcamp style class, yoga, and a all fitness level kind of bootcamp class. I know enough how to modify exercises to people are beginning and show someone more advanced if one would like more of a challenge. I just like to give someone a variety when doing a fitness class.

As far as doing the personal trainer as my own business I do have a degree in business marketing so I know that I'm ahead of the game that way. But I don't want to do anything like sports medicine or physical therapy because I know that those field in fitness do require a college degree. I just want to get into the exercise and the nutritional part of fitness. I like to educate people who want to lose weight of how important nutrition is to lose weight as well as exercise is also very important and that both go hand in hand. That is where my passion is at.:D I really appreciate your insight and your have given me a lot to consider.
 
That's great that you have these goals! I agree with PLBFitness, no one can make the decision for you to go or not go to college. I personally went and got a biology degree, it helped me discover my love of body mechanics which moved me from going to medschool to becoming a personal trainer.

The associations described are right on... I am NASM certified and love it.

I own my own boot camp business in Charleston, as well as my own online business for training women and I always tell young trainers that you're going to have to work hard. Being a trainer is much like being a real estate agent, you have to market yourself and build your name up from nothing.

But you can do it! On top of getting certified definitely get into marketing and promotion books and such. Good luck.
 
I completely agree with TaylorRyan, you'll need to know how to build up a business, so taking supplementary courses in things like bookkeeping, marketing, etc. are all a really good idea! You did already say that you have a business marketing degree, so you'll do well in that area for sure.

good luck!
 
I just want to thank you guys for your advice and your wonderful support in giving me ideas on how to pursue my passion on becoming a group fitness instructor and personal trainer. I've decided to go with ACE and for the group fitness instructor I would have to recertify every 2 years whereas personal trainer I do not have to recertify. But once I get these certifications I do intend to extend my education in areas of nutrition and just keep myself up to date with the latest in fitness education. ACE does have areas of certification that I can add on to so I do intend on doing that, because you can never have too much certification nor too much education. I believe that the more that you know through experience and learning more things through ACE the more marketable that you can make yourself to be:D. God bless you guys and again thank you so much for your support and inspiration.
 
Well, I think that with your attitude towards being properly certified and continuing education, you'll do just fine. You'll find different certs/workshops/courses along the way that will, over time, help you be a better instructor to your clients!

Good Luck to you!
 
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