Getbig Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Forums
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Colossus_1986 on December 19, 2007, 08:37:20 AM
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anyone got one>?
have a YMCA one, but looking to re-do something in the certification field.
wondering if anyone's done their course...if its worth it...etc.
thanks
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anyone got one>?
have a YMCA one, but looking to re-do something in the certification field.
wondering if anyone's done their course...if its worth it...etc.
thanks
Go get an exercise physiology degree if you really want education.
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anyone got one>?
have a YMCA one, but looking to re-do something in the certification field.
wondering if anyone's done their course...if its worth it...etc.
thanks
Do you *really* want to take the Arvilla route?
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all those certifications are bullshit
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all those certifications are bullshit
how so?
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anyone got one>?
have a YMCA one, but looking to re-do something in the certification field.
wondering if anyone's done their course...if its worth it...etc.
thanks
I just started ACE so well see. It was only like 250 for the books and practice exams and then its another 250 for the test.
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I just started ACE so well see. It was only like 250 for the books and practice exams and then its another 250 for the test.
ISSA's 500$, so pretty much the same, plus they've been around for years...used to see them in Flex...and M&F back in the day.
i guess they're the most reputable and longest running-one to me...
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how so?
you don't really learn anything. basically you pay your money and you get your certificate. some people do fail the test but you have to be a real moron to fail. you can't learn anatomy and physiology (which is the basis for everything else in the course) from a weekend lecture or self study book. everyone applying for trainer positions at my club have to pass a very basic a&p test. i have had people fail the test that have been certified by every certification company out there
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I was thinking about getting an ISSA certification as well. Some trainer at my gym told me to go to school for an exercise physiology degree but, I am already in school studying to be a psychologist. I really have no interesting in getting an exercise physiology degree or the like (no offense to anyone that has these degrees). I just need something that allows me to train people and earn extra money. I would never rely on personal training as a full time job (just not my thing). So, I think ISSA is sufficient! ::shrugs:::
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NASM is good
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any gym will hire you with issa cert if you look halfway decent yourself. Having a real degree in exercise physiology is nice, but if you look like shit nobody is going to give you a job
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if you look like shit nobody is going to give you a job
Really? Seems to be the first thing they look for here.
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Really? Seems to be the first thing they look for here.
exactly.
http://www.acsm.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Certification/ACSMCertifications/ACSMCertifiedPersonalTrainer/Certified_Personal_T.htm
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Really? Seems to be the first thing they look for here.
When I hire trainers I could care less if they are stage ready. They just have to look like they live a healthy lifestyle. Most important is people skills and base knowledge.
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ISSA is not Bullshit, it is a tough certification. My wife is still working on it "It is a bit tough" also I've learned alot of stuff I never could learn from Muscle and Fitness or Flex Magazines.
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I'm certified through ACSM and the NCSF. Out of the two, NCSF has more practical knowledge - exercises, workout programs, nutrition, etc. ACSM is good in terms of recognition, but the whole test is basically anatomy and physiology. IMO you can know everything you want about origins, insertions, planes and axes, but if you can't teach someone a squat or a barbell curl in layman's terms you'll be a shitty trainer.
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I'm certified through ACSM and the NCSF. Out of the two, NCSF has more practical knowledge - exercises, workout programs, nutrition, etc. ACSM is good in terms of recognition, but the whole test is basically anatomy and physiology. IMO you can know everything you want about origins, insertions, planes and axes, but if you can't teach someone a squat or a barbell curl in layman's terms you'll be a shitty trainer.
my thoughts exactly.
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I'm certified through ACSM and the NCSF. Out of the two, NCSF has more practical knowledge - exercises, workout programs, nutrition, etc. ACSM is good in terms of recognition, but the whole test is basically anatomy and physiology. IMO you can know everything you want about origins, insertions, planes and axes, but if you can't teach someone a squat or a barbell curl in layman's terms you'll be a shitty trainer.
I'll also add that if you can't sell you will be a shitty (i.e. unemplyed) trainer too.
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I'll also add that if you can't sell you will be a shitty (i.e. unemplyed) trainer too.
most accurate post right here!
(i have taken both ACE and ISSA if you think they are easy your sadly mistaken)
Mike
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I'll also add that if you can't sell you will be a shitty (i.e. unemplyed) trainer too.
True. Every fucking client in the world thinks they'll be shredded to the bone after 5 sessions with a trainer - the test is getting them to realize how little they actually know.
And if you can do it without balance balls and rubber tubing, you get 10 bonus points.
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True. Every fucking client in the world thinks they'll be shredded to the bone after 5 sessions with a trainer - the test is getting them to realize how little they actually know.
And if you can do it without balance balls and rubber tubing, you get 10 bonus points.
Actually balance balls are one the best selling tools for a trainer becuase most people can't do the exercises properly on their own. so if they can't do it on their own, they must need a trainer!!!
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Actually balance balls are one the best selling tools for a trainer becuase most people can't do the exercises properly on their own. so if they can't do it on their own, they must need a trainer!!!
Maybe, but then I'm sure we could debate all day over wether you should need to teach a client a one-legged squat/row/lunge combo on a BOSU ball to make them want to keep training with you.
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Actually balance balls are one the best selling tools for a trainer becuase most people can't do the exercises properly on their own. so if they can't do it on their own, they must need a trainer!!!
hahahaha, you're the problem
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hahahaha, you're the problem
how so?
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they're all the same..... imo
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Maybe, but then I'm sure we could debate all day over wether you should need to teach a client a one-legged squat/row/lunge combo on a BOSU ball to make them want to keep training with you.
My point was not in using the ball to keep the client, but using the ball to get the client. Make the sale. Close the deal. Get paid.
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Melvin Goodrum is taking the ISSA course so it must be better than MFT and CSN combined. The ISSA course is based on the writing and input of Dr Fred Hatfield. Fred is one of the few genuine world authorities in exercise science for strength and resistance training. The course is supposed to be based on scientific bodybuilding and training. There is a lot of practical stuff included as well. If a bodybuilder takes the course he should be a reasonable instructor afterwards. Well, assuming he has some intelligence to begin with.
We get all manner of instructors applying for jobs in my gym. The most effective are bodybuilders with people skills. Those guys are worth two 'qualified' instructors any day. Students with degrees and diplomas that can't instruct advanced bodybuilders are not so qualified in my gym. I think the process of doing bodybuilding and making gains prepares one well to be an instructor. Most intelligent bodybuilders read up on nutrition and exercise science so they are well prepared for any instructor courses and might even disagree with some of the theories and practices. That is always a good thing when instructors keep an open mind about hypertrophy and effective training. There is always something more to learn both through others and training oneself.
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only thing needed by anyone that enters a gym with bodybuilding and or powerlifting in mind is gh15 course of hormone intake 101-499,,when you done with those courses you will have your bachelor degree in hormone utilization and will look like a bodybuilder,,that is ALL YOU NEED,,
infact i may very well look into it when i retire depending on offers,,it will be strictly hormonal advice with adjustments to training and nutrition,,i do it better than milos and glass ,,i know about it more than milos and glass since both of them are obident by name recognition from goverment and living on usa grounds,,
so thiis is one aspect of gh15 fame i might make money out of past retirment \,,already offers from chicago to japan,,
if you come to gym for fun and for social activity personal trainers are good,,for bodybuilding you need hormone courses directly given with no bullshit so alot of trial and error is avoided and you can reach the pro card at age 23 rather than 33
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ISSA is solid. I worked as a trainer for 2 years without certification when I started, 9 years ago. After I did the course, I was a lot more versatile with exercise selection and terminology. The reallity was, I had about the same traffic of clients. Less than 10 people in 9 years have asked if I was a certified trainer, and I told half of them no but it didn't matter to them because I was living the lifestyle and explained how to do the right things without sounding stupid. People skills and appearance will earn more business than specific letters behind your name. The oral and practical part of the weekend is what made the most sense for me with ISSA. I know too many fat ACE certified trainers who have no business coaching anybody. If there were an 'easy' one to obtain quickly- ACE would do the trick if a club is saying you must be certified. ISSA shows that you're taking it seriously. Good luck.
CG
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ISSA is solid. I worked as a trainer for 2 years without certification when I started, 9 years ago. After I did the course, I was a lot more versatile with exercise selection and terminology. The reallity was, I had about the same traffic of clients. Less than 10 people in 9 years have asked if I was a certified trainer, and I told half of them no but it didn't matter to them because I was living the lifestyle and explained how to do the right things without sounding stupid. People skills and appearance will earn more business than specific letters behind your name. The oral and practical part of the weekend is what made the most sense for me with ISSA. I know too many fat ACE certified trainers who have no business coaching anybody. If there were an 'easy' one to obtain quickly- ACE would do the trick if a club is saying you must be certified. ISSA shows that you're taking it seriously. Good luck.
CG
thanks for the tip.
people already ask me for tips, and programs etc...and they don't give a shit if im certified...they know ive competed...worked in the biz since a young age...etc..
but if i do plan to seriously go into that field, id like a nice solid foundation, and i think ISSA is it.
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thanks for the tip.
people already ask me for tips, and programs etc...and they don't give a shit if im certified...they know ive competed...worked in the biz since a young age...etc..
but if i do plan to seriously go into that field, id like a nice solid foundation, and i think ISSA is it.
For bigger gyms requiring a certification is just a way to weed down the application pool. Some of the guys that used to apply for trainer jobs at the 24 Hour Fitness I used to work at looked pretty good, but then if you started asking them anything about nutrition or compensation for elderly, injuries, diseases, etc, it's like you asked them to disarm the bomb with 10 blue wires. They hired one guy for a couple days and then fired him when he tried to make an old lady do box jumps and she fell and broke her collarbone. Guy looked a couple weeks out of contest shape, but mentally was a piece of shit.
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only thing needed by anyone that enters a gym with bodybuilding and or powerlifting in mind is gh15 course of hormone intake 101-499,,when you done with those courses you will have your bachelor degree in hormone utilization and will look like a bodybuilder,,that is ALL YOU NEED,,
infact i may very well look into it when i retire depending on offers,,it will be strictly hormonal advice with adjustments to training and nutrition,,i do it better than milos and glass ,,i know about it more than milos and glass since both of them are obident by name recognition from goverment and living on usa grounds,,
so thiis is one aspect of gh15 fame i might make money out of past retirment \,,already offers from chicago to japan,,
if you come to gym for fun and for social activity personal trainers are good,,for bodybuilding you need hormone courses directly given with no bullshit so alot of trial and error is avoided and you can reach the pro card at age 23 rather than 33
so youre saying Bob Chic didnt use the proper GH regimen?
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For bigger gyms requiring a certification is just a way to weed down the application pool. Some of the guys that used to apply for trainer jobs at the 24 Hour Fitness I used to work at looked pretty good, but then if you started asking them anything about nutrition or compensation for elderly, injuries, diseases, etc, it's like you asked them to disarm the bomb with 10 blue wires. They hired one guy for a couple days and then fired him when he tried to make an old lady do box jumps and she fell and broke her collarbone. Guy looked a couple weeks out of contest shape, but mentally was a piece of shit.
i bet he was warming her up and gonna have her do some parking-lot lunges next... :P ;D
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The only reason health clubs care about these internet certifications is that their owners feel it will protect them to an extent in a law suit. Certified is a meaningless term. Many of these internet paper mills were started by people of questionable educational backgrounds.
If you are serious you should go to school and major in exercise physiology or even physical therapy. Some community colleges even offer an associates in physical training.
Lastly many personal trainers are making next to nothing in income. The are a few major success stories but they are hard to find. The majority are twenty something kids who got their internet certificate and cpr card working in some chain. They make a commision for every contract they get signed. It's not very lucrative. Also remember that if you free lance most major chains will not allow you to conduct your buisness there. All they need is to see you there 5 hours a day every day with a clip board every day and you will get the boot.
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The only reason health clubs care about these internet certifications is that their owners feel it will protect them to an extent in a law suit. Certified is a meaningless term. Many of these internet paper mills were started by people of questionable educational backgrounds.
If you are serious you should go to school and major in exercise physiology or even physical therapy. Some community colleges even offer an associates in physical training.
Lastly many personal trainers are making next to nothing in income. The are a few major success stories but they are hard to find. The majority are twenty something kids who got their internet certificate and cpr card working in some chain. They make a commision for every contract they get signed. It's not very lucrative. Also remember that if you free lance most major chains will not allow you to conduct your buisness there. All they need is to see you there 5 hours a day every day with a clip board every day and you will get the boot.
True, a trainer employed by a gym instead of freelancing makes shit per hour. Usually anything between $18-30 per session, plus maybe 5-10% of the contract value up front. The real money is becoming one of the guys who manages the trainers. Fitness managers at 24 Hour where I used to work were making between $5-10k/month and had maybe 2-3 clients they trained themselves. The rest of their day they don't do shit.
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There is a core of knowledge about anatomy and physiology that is worth learning. Everyone needs to have a similar vocabulary so that knowledge really is necessary about basic concepts and theories.
There is a problem re bodybuilding because most university and tech courses do not specialize in this subject. Bodybuilding is not resistance training but involves it. If the people giving courses are not bodybuilders it is unlikely anyone will get much depth about how to build large muscles. If you go to fitness expos and attend courses there, such as IHRSA, you will be amazed at the range of seminars about everything from Pilates to goodness knows what fad fitness crap is around. There is rarely anything about hypertrophy and that is why most instructors have to get that information the hard way by trying to build themselves up.
In Australia personal trainers working for themselves need to have insurance and they cannot qualify for insurance without being certified. Part of the requirement is to do some current seminar every year. Guys like myself, who could instruct those who give the courses, are not qualified according to the government. This is quite preposterous but one of the things that can happen when standards are introduced by those who know nothing about training. What happened in Australia was that some of the advisers to the government were people who gave fitness leader courses. Those people made sure there was a steady source of income from all their former clients who had to do more seminars to stay qualified.
When it comes to hypertrophy knowledge it is quite interesting how much variation there is even among bodybuilders. If you watch personal trainers you can see their theories in action by what they get their clients to do. I doubt many of the trainers have much understanding of hypertrophy and how to sustain it. I don't think there is a course about that subject that explains what to do for advanced bodybuilders. There is almost no information available about augmenting hypertrophy via chemicals and that is literally outside any professional courses and rightly so. Still, an informed instructor should have knowledge about steroids and other drugs because clients will ask about them. What seems like a simple profession is actually quite a complicated one. Few bodybuilders or personal trainers can comprehend the latest scientific research in exercise science. Oh, it is easy enough to read the abstracts but exercise physiology is up there with medicine as far as difficulty goes.
If I were giving a course for instructors it would be at least a year and maybe two. Students would be required to demonstrate that they can make their arms and calves grow a measurable amount in a specific period of time. Like put an inch on your arms in 3 months. Those who can achieve this growth will end up knowing vastly more about hypertrophy than those who just attend lectures or read books and studies.
In the old days there were no qualifications. Gym owners became instant experts. Today anyone can own a gym but not everyone is entitled to prescribe exercise and nutrition programs. I think we are going in the right direction except about bodybuilding which doesn't have any academic standing in universities or fitness courses. The ISSA course does mention bodybuilding and Dr Squat has presented good information there that all instructors should be aware of. Those who are already in the field should keep up with knowledge by reading magazines and journals. When you think about it, where is the journal about bodybuilding or hypertrophy? I know of no such thing. Advanced bodybuilding remains a subculture with its own vocabulary, theories and practices.
There is a vast amount of information to learn about physiology and training. I advise instructors to keep an open mind about knowledge and always seek theories that explain growth, fat loss, increased strength, endurance, flexibility, and other fitness goals. There is a lot to learn about dealing with people especially those who are unfit and present with all manner of problems the fit instructors don't have to manage. Care must be taken not to project goals and values to those who do not share the musclehead world.
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only thing needed by anyone that enters a gym with bodybuilding and or powerlifting in mind is gh15 course of hormone intake 101-499,,when you done with those courses you will have your bachelor degree in hormone utilization and will look like a bodybuilder,,that is ALL YOU NEED,,
infact i may very well look into it when i retire depending on offers,,it will be strictly hormonal advice with adjustments to training and nutrition,,i do it better than milos and glass ,,i know about it more than milos and glass since both of them are obident by name recognition from goverment and living on usa grounds,,
so thiis is one aspect of gh15 fame i might make money out of past retirment \,,already offers from chicago to japan,,
if you come to gym for fun and for social activity personal trainers are good,,for bodybuilding you need hormone courses directly given with no bullshit so alot of trial and error is avoided and you can reach the pro card at age 23 rather than 33
;D
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I'm very thankful for the certifications I gained from going through the AMFPT. I spent almost 20,000 for college courses and only 39 dollars for my certifications and I've done greater things with that AMFPT than anyone else.
The AMFPT course is inexpensive but it cuts out all the bullshit anatomy and useless info and focuses on the core training of individuals and making a profit from it. Greg Ladd told me about it when he first got started in the certification and invited me to take his course.
The AMFPT course is so good that its now being taught at Georgia Perimeter College as well as a few other universities for much more.
As far as the ISSA is concerned, I'm not taking any course in Personal Training as I'm fully certified but rather the courses in Strength Rehab and Sports Conditioning which does require more indept and more serious study.
After I've competed the courses, I will be going back to college at night to complete my BS in Health which should not even take a year.
If you want to be a personal trainer and don't have much money, I'd check out the American Muscle & Fitness Institute by going to www.amfpt.com Otherwise go with ISSA.
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I'm very thankful for the certifications I gained from going through the AMFPT. I spent almost 20,000 for college courses and only 39 dollars for my certifications and I've done greater things with that AMFPT than anyone else.
The AMFPT course is inexpensive but it cuts out all the bullshit anatomy and useless info and focuses on the core training of individuals and making a profit from it. Greg Ladd told me about it when he first got started in the certification and invited me to take his course.
The AMFPT course is so good that its now being taught at Georgia Perimeter College as well as a few other universities for much more.
As far as the ISSA is concerned, I'm not taking any course in Personal Training as I'm fully certified but rather the courses in Strength Rehab and Sports Conditioning which does require more indept and more serious study.
After I've competed the courses, I will be going back to college at night to complete my BS in Health which should not even take a year.
If you want to be a personal trainer and don't have much money, I'd check out the American Muscle & Fitness Institute by going to www.amfpt.com Otherwise go with ISSA.
Why take a course on sports conditioning from someplace as poorly known in athletics as the ISSA? You'd be better off getting a CSCS through the NSCA. Unlike gyms and personal trainers, when you're an athletic trainer those initials at the end of your name do actually mean something. A CSCS is practially a prerequisite to get a good job working with athletes and sports teams.
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Why take a course on sports conditioning from someplace as poorly known in athletics as the ISSA? You'd be better off getting a CSCS through the NSCA. Unlike gyms and personal trainers, when you're an athletic trainer those initials at the end of your name do actually mean something. A CSCS is practially a prerequisite to get a good job working with athletes and sports teams.
Need a related degree to take the CSCS
NASM is a good cert as well.
ISSA is a joke! Weekend crash course...
((sorry if all this is posted already, too lazy to read thru))
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Why take a course on sports conditioning from someplace as poorly known in athletics as the ISSA? You'd be better off getting a CSCS through the NSCA. Unlike gyms and personal trainers, when you're an athletic trainer those initials at the end of your name do actually mean something. A CSCS is practially a prerequisite to get a good job working with athletes and sports teams.
Because the vast majority of gyms won't even look at you unless you have an ACE or ISSA certification...period. Getting a certification through the NSCA is a waste of time in my opinion because its not well known or recognized.
Its like comparing McDonald's to Backyard Burgers. BB can cook a much better burger but more people eat at McDonald's because its the most well known.
AMFPT is good for independent personal trainers who simply need to get licensed to obtain PT insurance and for those not sure about a career. It worked for me but now I'm moving into working at major gyms so you have to have the major certifications that gyms recognize. Regardless as to whether NSCA is better is pointless. Most gym managers look for what they want and throw the rest away
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Because the vast majority of gyms won't even look at you unless you have an ACE or ISSA certification...period. Getting a certification through the NSCA is a waste of time in my opinion because its not well known or recognized.
NSCA a waste of time, not recognized??? You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about! YOU NEED A DEGREE TO EVEN TAKE IT!
It is way more respected than ISSA crap. ACE is outdated. You want a good cert that is respectable and not a piece of shit, get NASM.
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"Today, more than 9,600 fitness professionals hold this prestigious credential. The NSCA-CPT became the first personal training credential to be nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) in 1996 and has continued to set the standard for personal training as the most well-respected personal trainer certification through national and international recognition. ".
..from their site.
I was wrong, for the CPT portion, you only need a HS diploma. For the CSCS, degree.
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Melvin must have a lot of credits at university if he can complete a BS degree at night in a year. I guess still waters flow deep! Waiting for an indepth report of the courses Melvin is taking.
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NSCA a waste of time, not recognized??? You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about! YOU NEED A DEGREE TO EVEN TAKE IT!
It is way more respected than ISSA crap. ACE is outdated. You want a good cert that is respectable and not a piece of shit, get NASM.
No, I said not well known which is where the problem lies. A lot of times NSCA degrees are put in the same catagory as a diploma mill and are simply disgarded by most major gym chains.
Rule of thumb is you either have an ACE or ISSA. Everyone else has to hit the door
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No, I said not well known which is where the problem lies. A lot of times NSCA degrees are put in the same catagory as a diploma mill and are simply disgarded by most major gym chains.
Rule of thumb is you either have an ACE or ISSA. Everyone else has to hit the door
Then those gyms do not know what they are doing and you must aspire to work at Bally's or 24 Hour. Good places to start for a noob trainer.. However, both of those certs are weekend crash courses. I passed ACE in 1995 with a weekend of studying to know "their" answers. ISSA is a waste of time. Then I recently took NASM to be more well rounded with regard to functional training.
How are any of these certs better than a degree? If a gym would rather have those certs than a degree or CSCS, they are places that I would not want to work at.
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Melvin bought his certification at the Jockey Lot flea market in Greenville, SC. Along with a C-cup bra for his manboobs.
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My success with the ISSA has been more than adequate. This is also my experience within a specific region. I've been the Fitness Pro at a solid country club for nearly 6 years, and while I'm not training bodybuilders or people with my interests neccessarily I still make a solid living. I run a couple bootcamps M/W/F for hot Moms and have 15-25 hrs/ week on top of that in one on ones. I give the club 10% while paying nothing for rent or equipment upkeep. They also promote me within the newsletters and promo e-mails at no cost. I got certified like 7 or 8 years ago, and I don't have any student loans to pay back so I guess I lucked out. I expect that anyone with an ISSA cert. and some people skills to go with a marketable look would do the same or better given their demographics. ISSA has not been a waste of time for me, whereas college would have been... Different strokes...
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Not all college exercise science courses are the same. If you earn a degree in exercise science or physiology and are a bodybuilder you will be well prepared to instruct just about anyone. Plus you will have the background and knowledge to read the literature and relate with other informed and educated people. No home study certificate or diploma will do that.
Exercise science is an ongoing area whereas instructor's courses are evolving and have input from government committees and vary from state to state and country to country. That an ISSA certificate qualifies one to instruct in gyms is acceptable but probably not that satisfactory. Dr Hatfield has a PhD and his course depends on his opinion and knowledge which is why it is one of the best available. However, properly qualified instructors have to have way more knowledge than passing a course that can be completed in a month or two. Guys with exercise science degrees could read that book and pass that course in a matter of a week at most. They could probably pass the exam without reading the course.
I have a son who has a degree in exercise science and I respect his knowledge about anatomy and physiology that I do not have. Those who have been around in the industry for decades know there is a huge amount of things to learn both about exercise and the application of theory. People still debate hypertrophy on discussion boards and many times the discussions become quite passionate. Clearly there is no agreement about basic concepts in bodybuilding.
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Melvin must have a lot of credits at university if he can complete a BS degree at night in a year. I guess still waters flow deep! Waiting for an indepth report of the courses Melvin is taking.
Yes, I have a lot of college credits and in fact a couple of universities would actually grant me B.S in Health if I took their final exam and paid their tuition fees however I feel that if I'm going to spend a good deal of money then I'd better learn some new stuff while I'm at it.
Why spend 10,000 for a piece of paper, transfer your credits and take the additional courses for more knowledge. That is the purpose of going to college isn't it???
Besides, if I wanted a degree for nothing then I'd go to www.pulc.com ... ;D Amazingly enough, they are legal and fell under an exemption for being a church. That law has since been repealed but they're still around....lol
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True, a trainer employed by a gym instead of freelancing makes shit per hour. Usually anything between $18-30 per session, plus maybe 5-10% of the contract value up front. The real money is becoming one of the guys who manages the trainers. Fitness managers at 24 Hour where I used to work were making between $5-10k/month and had maybe 2-3 clients they trained themselves. The rest of their day they don't do shit.
Are you kidding me? A manager at a chain is making over 6 figures a year? How many people work out at a place to pay one employee over 100K? I also have trouble believing that a trainer at a chain is getting paid $30 dollars a session. If a gym charges $75 a session they are not giving their employee almost half. I do understand that in some LA and mid town NYC gyms that that cater to rich people can charge insane rates but not a run of the mill chain gym.
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Are you kidding me? A manager at a chain is making over 6 figures a year? How many people work out at a place to pay one employee over 100K? I also have trouble believing that a trainer at a chain is getting paid $30 dollars a session. If a gym charges $75 a session they are not giving their employee almost half. I do understand that in some LA and mid town NYC gyms that that cater to rich people can charge insane rates but not a run of the mill chain gym.
A decently productive FM at a 24 Hour will make between $60-115,000/year depending on the size of staff they're running and their performance to goal. If you aren't making that you aren't hitting goal and you won't last long there.
Also, how is it hard to believe that you're making $30/session? I didn't say all trainers do, but some do. Shit, I do.
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Melvin Goodrum wrote: "Yes, I have a lot of college credits and in fact a couple of universities would actually grant me B.S in Health if I took their final exam and paid their tuition fees however I feel that if I'm going to spend a good deal of money then I'd better learn some new stuff while I'm at it".
Goodness, Melvin, that isn't the way colleges work. You have to take proper courses to get a degree. Most are 4 years full time. Bachelor of Science in Health has physiology and other serious courses. Have you done any of these at a proper college or university? It would help you if named the campus you attended.
Vince G CSN MFT BS........looks good!!
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Are you kidding me? A manager at a chain is making over 6 figures a year? How many people work out at a place to pay one employee over 100K? I also have trouble believing that a trainer at a chain is getting paid $30 dollars a session. If a gym charges $75 a session they are not giving their employee almost half. I do understand that in some LA and mid town NYC gyms that that cater to rich people can charge insane rates but not a run of the mill chain gym.
65 $ per hour ...trainer makes 42 ...sports club of west b;loomfield...trainer : eric stocz ;)
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i want to be a trainer one day :o with the amreican \\\ dfream wooo oh dear. i want to train fat furcks to feel special. ih tae fat people. i hate people.
btw sevestes is a gangster.
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A decently productive FM at a 24 Hour will make between $60-115,000/year depending on the size of staff they're running and their performance to goal. If you aren't making that you aren't hitting goal and you won't last long there.
Also, how is it hard to believe that you're making $30/session? I didn't say all trainers do, but some do. Shit, I do.
I was talking about a personal trainer at a chain not an independant trainer. Most successful independant trainers charge over $65 a session. I still find it hard to believe that a manager at a chain will make $115K a year. Is the club pulling in over $500K a year for the owner to pay a manager that and the various employees? The club must have one insane membership.
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65 $ per hour ...trainer makes 42 ...sports club of west b;loomfield...trainer : eric stocz ;)
So you are pulling around 6 figures a year being a personal trainer at a chain gym? That's more than I ever thought was possible. Sounds like a great job!
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Melvin Goodrum wrote: "Yes, I have a lot of college credits and in fact a couple of universities would actually grant me B.S in Health if I took their final exam and paid their tuition fees however I feel that if I'm going to spend a good deal of money then I'd better learn some new stuff while I'm at it".
Goodness, Melvin, that isn't the way colleges work. You have to take proper courses to get a degree. Most are 4 years full time. Bachelor of Science in Health has physiology and other serious courses. Have you done any of these at a proper college or university? It would help you if named the campus you attended.
Vince G CSN MFT BS........looks good!!
You dum ass. THAT IS THE WAY SOME COLLEGES WORK IN THE US!!!
Its nothing more than getting as much money out of students as they can with constant increases, sales of books and college merchandise, and high priced apartment or in my case dorm rental fee.
And for your information, I went to Mars Hill College as well as ITT Tech jackass alongside taking mainly CP and Honors classes in high school.
In either case, who even asked you to begin with and what business is it of yours anyway. You stated on numerous occasions that back in the good old days being a gym owner qualifies you to be an IFBB pro bodybuilder and certified.....
Well it doesn't and even if it was the good old days, that pink painted piece of shit gym you run pretty much disqualifies you.
But thanks for your contribution to the sport of bodybuilding..... ::)
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I was talking about a personal trainer at a chain not an independant trainer. Most successful independant trainers charge over $65 a session. I still find it hard to believe that a manager at a chain will make $115K a year. Is the club pulling in over $500K a year for the owner to pay a manager that and the various employees? The club must have one insane membership.
I was talking about a chain gym as well. At an average 24-Hour Fitness the monthly sales goal is anywhere between $75,000-150,000 just in new membership alone, including enrollment fees and monthy dues. The personal training department is generally responsible for an additional $20-40,000 in training services depending on how many trainers they have staffed. Factor in ancillary services like babysitting, supplement and apparel sales and new business is over $100,000 each month pretty easily, not even factoring in their dues tap.
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I know a very impressive BB who has competed and done very well and he has set up a private gym in his home,He is not certified in anything.
He looks the part a very impressive physique,thats what gets him the buisness and word of mouth, very successfull.
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Are any of these certs recognized nationally? Like if you go to a Law School it has to be a ABA certified law school in order for you to grad or practice law.
There are too many certs in my opinion and there needs to be just one. It seems that any fool with a (replace with alphabet letters) degree can become a personal trainer...I've seen dudes at my gym that I used to go to have guts and trying to show women who are in better shape than them how to get more defined tris.
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i bet he was warming her up and gonna have her do some parking-lot lunges next... :P ;D
ISSA is quick and easy, go for it. Its good to get your foot in the door. If you want real education I would start going to seminars on topics related to your field and listen to the experts. Books can only take you so far, learn from the people who have done it, not the people who write about it.
JMHO.
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Because the vast majority of gyms won't even look at you unless you have an ACE or ISSA certification...period. Getting a certification through the NSCA is a waste of time in my opinion because its not well known or recognized.
Its like comparing McDonald's to Backyard Burgers. BB can cook a much better burger but more people eat at McDonald's because its the most well known.
AMFPT is good for independent personal trainers who simply need to get licensed to obtain PT insurance and for those not sure about a career. It worked for me but now I'm moving into working at major gyms so you have to have the major certifications that gyms recognize. Regardless as to whether NSCA is better is pointless. Most gym managers look for what they want and throw the rest away
You are talking about yourself in this instance aren't. I highly doubt ANY gym would have you on as a PT. But I do like how you compare your current job at McDonalds. Name one major gym looking to hire you on as a PT. ;D
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You stand something to gain from all certifications. They all are sharing some basice fitness lifestyle guidelines that will give you a basis to start dealing with clients. I possess my Bachelors and three certifications (one being ISSA). The college degrees are also great if you have the time and the money. However, the most important thing that anyone pursuing a profession in Personal Fitness Training should know is "the ability to communicate and build solid relationships with your clients" is the absolute key to success. There are excellent, knowledgeable trainers with terrible communication/relationship skills that won't make a dime in comparison to the guy or gal that who knows how to market himself and build a solid relationship that the client depends on and enjoys. Go into any major fitness facility (Golds, 24hr., Lifetime, LA Fitness, etc...). You will observe trainers training the same people and you don't notice any extreme results in 6 months to a year or more!!!. but observe their faces and the way they communicate with each other and you will see that some clients are in it for the relationship/fellowship with their trainers whether they look like top bodybuilders or fitness models is not the priority. Good luck in your pursuit. The fitness training profession won't be going anywhere anytime soon, so you are making a good decision. Happy Holidays and God Bless!!!
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I was talking about a chain gym as well. At an average 24-Hour Fitness the monthly sales goal is anywhere between $75,000-150,000 just in new membership alone, including enrollment fees and monthy dues. The personal training department is generally responsible for an additional $20-40,000 in training services depending on how many trainers they have staffed. Factor in ancillary services like babysitting, supplement and apparel sales and new business is over $100,000 each month pretty easily, not even factoring in their dues tap.
$75,000 in one month as sales goal in memberships? If you charge $1000 a year that would be 75 new members a month if I got my math straight. That must be one big gym.
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So you are pulling around 6 figures a year being a personal trainer at a chain gym? That's more than I ever thought was possible. Sounds like a great job!
60-80 k a year...it's not bad...I've seen indep personal trainers pulling close to 100k
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Go get an exercise physiology degree if you really want education.
Thats actually worse then most certs.
In North America the field of exercise science as taught by academic institutions is focused primarily on the aerobic energy system ( heart rate, blood pressure, VO2Max)
All have little if any to do with weight/strength training.
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I'm certified through ACSM and the NCSF. Out of the two, NCSF has more practical knowledge - exercises, workout programs, nutrition, etc. ACSM is good in terms of recognition, but the whole test is basically anatomy and physiology. IMO you can know everything you want about origins, insertions, planes and axes, but if you can't teach someone a squat or a barbell curl in layman's terms you'll be a shitty trainer.
Very true, these tests dont teach you the first thing about WEIGHT TRAINING.
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I'll also add that if you can't sell you will be a shitty (i.e. unemplyed) trainer too.
Not if you are independent/self employed
This is a referral based industry.
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I know a PT in LA who did private training and he was getting $300 a session. He had quite a few celebrities. Had a nice new Navigator and ski boat and all the toys. Paying a PT more than 50% of a session fee is a loss to the gym. Hiring independants is the best route but you still have to have some staff PT's. They get paid just above minimum wage. When they train someone they get a set fee of 35% to 40% of the session fee. Charge the independant a set fee determined by the number of clients he trains. You provide the PT's with one office for all of them with a computer. All the trainers must be a member of the club. The fee us usually lower than normal but it makes it a lot easier to "police" who comes in the club and the benefits they get. Independants have to be certified with at least one certification and have their own insurance naming your club as an additional insured. Each of their clients too must sign a waiver stating they are aware the PT is an independant and does not work or have anything to do with the club.
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True, a trainer employed by a gym instead of freelancing makes shit per hour. Usually anything between $18-30 per session, plus maybe 5-10% of the contract value up front. The real money is becoming one of the guys who manages the trainers. Fitness managers at 24 Hour where I used to work were making between $5-10k/month and had maybe 2-3 clients they trained themselves. The rest of their day they don't do shit.
You dont really believe this do you?
they get a $500 base per month and percentage of sales they make as well as a percentage of the total PT sales of the club. Most Mega-commercial gyms are lucky to sell 10k in PT in a month ( excluding pre-sales and grand openings) so if they get 10% of 10k , well thats 1k plus a $500/month base. These guys are banking! lol ;D
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A decently productive FM at a 24 Hour will make between $60-115,000/year depending on the size of staff they're running and their performance to goal. If you aren't making that you aren't hitting goal and you won't last long there.
Also, how is it hard to believe that you're making $30/session? I didn't say all trainers do, but some do. Shit, I do.
You have been Horribly mis-informed
The Personal Training Director would have to sell about $800,000 in personal training packages in a year to bank $115,000 as an annual income. That would be some serious "hustle " lol ::)
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You have been Horribly mis-informed
The Personal Training Director would have to sell about $800,000 in personal training packages in a year to bank $115,000 as an annual income. That would be some serious "hustle " lol ::)
snorting a bit of cocaine before each shift would prob make him productive enough to do that! ;)
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You dont really believe this do you?
they get a $500 base per month and percentage of sales they make as well as a percentage of the total PT sales of the club. Most Mega-commercial gyms are lucky to sell 10k in PT in a month ( excluding pre-sales and grand openings) so if they get 10% of 10k , well thats 1k plus a $500/month base. These guys are banking! lol ;D
I'd like to know where you get your info. Considering I used to help run a 24 Hour Fitness and have seen the paychecks and commission statements for these guys I have some decent credibility. Anybody in sales or fitness management at 24 Hour Fitness, at least before I left back in June, had a base pay of $10.50/hour, plus your usual time and a half for OT, so where you pulled $500/month as a base is beyond me. And in the year and a half that I worked there, not once did I sell less than $15,000 just myself, with about $3-5,000 of that being personal training packages to new members. The sales department alone was responsible for $35k in training, let alone the staff of 15 trainers that each had to do between $2-7k a month depending on their hours. Again, no idea what "mega-commercial" gym you're speaking of, but I doubt that your stats are accurate.
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I'd like to know where you get your info. Considering I used to help run a 24 Hour Fitness and have seen the paychecks and commission statements for these guys I have some decent credibility. Anybody in sales or fitness management at 24 Hour Fitness, at least before I left back in June, had a base pay of $10.50/hour, plus your usual time and a half for OT, so where you pulled $500/month as a base is beyond me. And in the year and a half that I worked there, not once did I sell less than $15,000 just myself, with about $3-5,000 of that being personal training packages to new members. The sales department alone was responsible for $35k in training, let alone the staff of 15 trainers that each had to do between $2-7k a month depending on their hours. Again, no idea what "mega-commercial" gym you're speaking of, but I doubt that your stats are accurate.
24 hour fitness is the devil!
(http://www.cineclub.de/images/waterboy3.jpg)
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Zach is pretty close to correct on the figures from 24 Hour Fitness. I only know about the Hawaii clubs but the Mgr's. there are pulling in a ton of money. The guy who was heading up all their PT's there was doing about $100,000 a year. The regional manager was doing $125,000+ a year. 24 Hour Fitness does take care of their employees. Maybe too much. If I heard it right, they have never had a year in the black yet. They were sold two years ago for $1.6 billion almost solely based on their income. It is amazing how much they do in memberships and PT. But they build and own all their gyms and so far they are spending more than they make it appears. But, take into account their income and all the intellectual property they own and they are worth a lot. They have less than half the gyms Gold's Gym had when they sold but they got 10 times more money when they sold.
You dont really believe this do you?
they get a $500 base per month and percentage of sales they make as well as a percentage of the total PT sales of the club. Most Mega-commercial gyms are lucky to sell 10k in PT in a month ( excluding pre-sales and grand openings) so if they get 10% of 10k , well thats 1k plus a $500/month base. These guys are banking! lol ;D
I have never heard anyone getting a base of $500. NO ONE. $10K a month in Personal Training is not a lot for a large club. In fact it is very low for a large club and more than likely if a club only did that much they would probably quit offering PT. A typical 24 Hour in Hawaii probably does $30,000 to $50,000 a month in PT. There was an article in Club Industry awhile back and all the 24 Hour Fitness in Asia together were pulling in an average of $75,000 a month. I think it was 24 Hour Fitness and that number is pretty close. PT is the #1 ancillary profit center in a club. So you need to do some research first. Either that or find some real gyms. Cause with the numbers you put up that had to be some little hole in the wall
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How is your gym doing Keith? Tell us about a little about it.
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Zach is pretty close to correct on the figures from 24 Hour Fitness. I only know about the Hawaii clubs but the Mgr's. there are pulling in a ton of money. The guy who was heading up all their PT's there was doing about $100,000 a year. The regional manager was doing $125,000+ a year. 24 Hour Fitness does take care of their employees. Maybe too much. If I heard it right, they have never had a year in the black yet. They were sold two years ago for $1.6 billion almost solely based on their income. It is amazing how much they do in memberships and PT. But they build and own all their gyms and so far they are spending more than they make it appears. But, take into account their income and all the intellectual property they own and they are worth a lot. They have less than half the gyms Gold's Gym had when they sold but they got 10 times more money when they sold.
I have never heard anyone getting a base of $500. NO ONE. $10K a month in Personal Training is not a lot for a large club. In fact it is very low for a large club and more than likely if a club only did that much they would probably quit offering PT. A typical 24 Hour in Hawaii probably does $30,000 to $50,000 a month in PT. There was an article in Club Industry awhile back and all the 24 Hour Fitness in Asia together were pulling in an average of $75,000 a month. I think it was 24 Hour Fitness and that number is pretty close. PT is the #1 ancillary profit center in a club. So you need to do some research first. Either that or find some real gyms. Cause with the numbers you put up that had to be some little hole in the wall
Keith, DO you REALLY think that a Fitness/Personal Training Director of a gym is making 10k per month?
YES at a LARGE LA. Fit or 24 HR the GENERAL MANAGER of the ENTIRE club could make that BUT That was not the argument....Zach Townbridge thinks and believes that a Personal Training Director can train 2 clients per day and not do shit the rest of the day and can make up to 115K per year.
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I just started ACE so well see. It was only like 250 for the books and practice exams and then its another 250 for the test.
That was one hard test...uggggghhhhhhhhhhh hh!!!
Lisa
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Keith, DO you REALLY think that a Fitness/Personal Training Director of a gym is making 10k per month?
YES at a LARGE LA. Fit or 24 HR the GENERAL MANAGER of the ENTIRE club could make that BUT That was not the argument....Zach Townbridge thinks and believes that a Personal Training Director can train 2 clients per day and not do shit the rest of the day and can make up to 115K per year.
I don't think all of them but I do know what the head guy was making in Hawaii. I am sure not even 10% make more than a couple grand a month if that. but the guys who are the bosses sure can. And a guy who only trains 2 people a day and manage will not make that much as Zach says but I don't think that is what he means. My good friend in Hawaii who was the head of all the PT's in Hawaii was doing about $12,000 a month average. That was his salary and included training. My PT's at my Golds that I owned were making $35 a session on average. NO ONE was making a ton of money but that was because our PT program sucked. But on the other hand my friend here in Vegas was doing way more than $10,000 a month in private training. The guy who would know exactly how much they were paying in Hawaii would be AmericanBullDog who comes on here. He knows exactly what they were making. The manager at Golds in Honolulu was getting I think $5,000 to $6,000 a month from corporate.
I am paying my manager $4,000 a month plus 1% of the total monthly (gross) income from membership and pro shop. My sales manager is getting $2,000 a month plus 3% of all membership sales. My PT's are getting $9 an hour plus 35% of each session fee they have. The independants can charge whatever they want and they pay me a rent of anywhere from $300 to $500 a month. Here in Vegas PT is pretty big from what I have seen. You can get through 30 to 50 clients a day here if not more from one the big clubs like 24 or LVAC.
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I don't think all of them but I do know what the head guy was making in Hawaii. I am sure not even 10% make more than a couple grand a month if that. but the guys who are the bosses sure can. And a guy who only trains 2 people a day and manage will not make that much as Zach says but I don't think that is what he means. My good friend in Hawaii who was the head of all the PT's in Hawaii was doing about $12,000 a month average. That was his salary and included training. My PT's at my Golds that I owned were making $35 a session on average. NO ONE was making a ton of money but that was because our PT program sucked. But on the other hand my friend here in Vegas was doing way more than $10,000 a month in private training. The guy who would know exactly how much they were paying in Hawaii would be AmericanBullDog who comes on here. He knows exactly what they were making. The manager at Golds in Honolulu was getting I think $5,000 to $6,000 a month from corporate.
I am paying my manager $4,000 a month plus 1% of the total monthly (gross) income from membership and pro shop. My sales manager is getting $2,000 a month plus 3% of all membership sales. My PT's are getting $9 an hour plus 35% of each session fee they have. The independants can charge whatever they want and they pay me a rent of anywhere from $300 to $500 a month. Here in Vegas PT is pretty big from what I have seen. You can get through 30 to 50 clients a day here if not more from one the big clubs like 24 or LVAC.
Your "good friend" was the head of All the Personal trainers in Hawaii????? ;D LOL
Who paid him ? The Honolulu chamber of commerce? LOL A state employee in the dept of recreation will not make anywhere NEAR $12,000 per month. Hell I didnt even know each state had a "head trainer" lol.
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Your "good friend" was the head of All the Personal trainers in Hawaii????? ;D LOL
Who paid him ? The Honolulu chamber of commerce? LOL A state employee in the dept of recreation will not make anywhere NEAR $12,000 per month. Hell I didnt even know each state had a "head trainer" lol.
Hahah, good catch. He probably meant the head of Hawaiis biggest gym franchise.
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Your "good friend" was the head of All the Personal trainers in Hawaii????? ;D LOL
Who paid him ? The Honolulu chamber of commerce? LOL A state employee in the dept of recreation will not make anywhere NEAR $12,000 per month. Hell I didnt even know each state had a "head trainer" lol.
Hey smart ass I was talking about 24 Hour Fitness at the time so most half smart people would have associated that I meant 24 Hour fitness is who he worked for. But I understand your mentality now so I will type more clear for you. thanks for playing though.
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But I understand your mentality now
LOOL ;D