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July 07, 2005
Certifiable
According the American Council on Exercise, there are more than 300 fitness certification programs available to the public. Becoming a Personal Trainer for Dummies has a helpful run-down of the six best known certifying bodies in the personal training industry – ACE, the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the International Sports Sciences Association and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Directory.net has a extensive list of fitness certification organizations, as does personaltrainernet.net (together with a convenient comparison chart).
I’m certified by one of the organizations on the Dummies’ “best known” list -- NASM -- and am working on my AFAA credential. I hold a number of others, including one issued by the gym I work at, and I’m considering certification by ASCM.
What’s the advantage to multiple certifications? It’s not just the increased credibility that comes with having a string of acronyms after your name. Although there’s a certain overlap in what’s taught by each certifying organization, there are differences in focus, perspective and principles which make for a more well-rounded personal trainer who can serve varying populations of clients. Furthermore, the overlap itself is important: the process of repetitive learning makes understanding and speaking and the language of fitness second nature. And on the more practical side is greater job mobility -- some employers require particular certifications, or that their trainers hold multiple certifications.
Posted by Kristen at July 7, 2005 12:02 AM
Comments
I like seeing the ISSA on the top list. They are the organization I am going through to get my nutrition certification (SPN). Once I have that, I was *thinking* about using them to get my personal trainer certification, as well. Would you advise this course of action or suggest I go with another - like NASM (they are next on my top list) instead?
Posted by: Lee at July 7, 2005 08:10 AM
The certifications I personally consider to be the top for personal training are ACSM, NASM and NSCA. I would check out their websites and begin with the one that interests you the most. Each one has a different focus -- NASM concentrates on functional training whereas ASCM focuses on heart health and fitness. Eventually it might well be worth your while to invest in all three.
Posted by: Trainer Pundit at July 11, 2005 05:59 PM
Thanks for your advice. I will definitely do that.
Posted by: Lee at July 13, 2005 07:24 AM