ISSA certification

[Colossus_1986]

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

[emn1964]

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.

[Mr. Cortisol]

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?

[emn1964]

all those certifications are bullshit

[Colossus_1986]

all those certifications are bullshit

how so?

[nder98]

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.

[Colossus_1986]

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...

[emn1964]

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

[SF1900]

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:::

[CT_Muscle]

NASM is good

[Kegdrainer]

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

[StillTippin]

if you look like shit nobody is going to give you a job

Really?  Seems to be the first thing they look for here.

[Sir William Idol]

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

[emn1964]

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.

[chainsaw]

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.

[Zach Trowbridge]

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.

[Colossus_1986]

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.

[emn1964]

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.

[michael arvilla]

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

[Zach Trowbridge]

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.

[emn1964]

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!!!

[Zach Trowbridge]

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.

[Sir William Idol]

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

[emn1964]

hahahaha, you're the problem

how so?

[NeverTrustABlonde]

they're all the same..... imo