I found this post from 2009. Do you still believe in your words?
http://forums.rxmuscle.com/showthread.php?2094-GUY-CISTERNINO-Another-Fellow-Smart-AMFPT-MemberGUY CISTERNINO- Another Fellow Smart AMFPT Member
Guy now joins the ranks of George Farah and myself as folks who are not smart enough not to waste hundreds of dollars for a personal trainer certification that yields the same thing as an AMFPT certification.
The reason for getting certified is to obtain insurance for your clients that you train. Regardless of what organization you go through, your certification will have no effect on whether you fail or suceed and being a personal trainer requires continued study in your craft. There is no end all course in personal training.
I'm writing this because some people on MD have been dissing the AMFPT as well as Palumbo's SMART certification course. The fact is that the person is responsible for their success, not the organization.
Remember, Ben and Jerry's started their business from a $15.00 course in making ice cream. I started Caliber Fitness Solutions from the AMFPT online course which was $30.00 at the time and it has paid itself off a million times over.
Regardless of what course you take, remember that all roads lead to one place. From there, its up to you.