Guest Post:Certification in the Fitness Industry, Part 4, NASM

It has been many months since the last installment in this series and I am thrilled that my friend Suzanne @ Workout Nirvana (a newly certified personal trainner - way to go, Suzanne!) has stopped by to talk about her experience with The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Take it away, Suzanne...

I’ve always admired and respected personal trainers. I never imagined I’d be one until about a year ago, when the thought first crossed my mind. 

My blog and online fitness community has buoyed me from being passionate about weight lifting and health to actually becoming certified as a personal trainer. A change in careers was the last thing I thought I would be doing at this point in my life. But with an endless reservoir of knowledge, support, and motivation at my fingertips, I finally made started the wheels turning.

My first step would be to find a certifying organization - ACSM, NASM, ACE, and ISSA are a few reputable ones I looked into. I relied on word of mouth, mostly – which were well-respected certifications? What were the curriculums and exams like? What did employers think about them? Since I didn’t have a degree in exercise science, I knew I wanted a certification that would be challenging and reputable yet not too frustrating.

Guest Post: Certification in the Fitness Industry, Part 3: ACE & SCW

In the second part of the series, you got the rundown on some of the Canadian fitness certifications from the wonderful Diana @ FITness Training. 

For part three, the fabulous Paige @ Running Around Normal is going to tell you about her experience with the American certifications, ACE and SCW...

Hello, Commit to Fit readers. My name is Paige and I blog over at Running Around Normal about recipes, life, running, and dealing with an injury from running.

One of my jobs in a personal trainer, and that's why I'm here today! Tracy asked me to contribute to her Certification in the Fitness Industry series by writing about my certification, which is the American Council on Exercise (ACE.) If you're considering becoming a certified personal trainer through ACE, there are several options for you.

Guest Post: Certification and the Fitness Industry, Part 2: Canada

In the first part of the series, I shared some of my general thoughts on the topic of certification in the industry.  

For Part 2, I have enlisted a friend of mine, Diana @ FITness Training, to give you the rundown on some of the most popular Canadian certifications.

Take it away, Diana...

Which organization offers the best certification for the best price and what do the courses involve? 

It seems like there is no standard across the board. Each of these organizations has different requirements and very different prices.

Canadian Personal Trainers Network (CPTN)

• Courses available in person and/or online
• Over the age of 18
• Current CPR
• 20 hours of practical experience or a degree in Kinesiology
• 5 hours of mentor/observation time
• Submit a personal training log
• Achieve 75% or higher to pass both the theory and practical exam. 
• Costs:
•  $64.14 for membership
• $497.20 for preparation course (includes manual)
• $204.75 for theory and practical exam 

Canadian Fitness Professionals (Can Fit Pro)

• Courses available in person and/or online
• Over the age of 16
• Current CPR
• Complete 25 hours of training
• Achieve 80% or higher to pass both the theory and practical exam
• Costs:
• $50 for membership
• $434 ($399 for early bird) includes online course, in class course, course manual, study guide and exam

  

Ontario Fitness Council (OFC)

• Courses available in person and/or online
• Complete 24-32 hours of training
• Current Emergency First Aid with Heartsaver CPR
• Achieve 80% or higher on exam
• Costs:
• $225-239 for fitness theory and exam
• $65-90 for NFLA exam
• Need to contact for rates of PT course
• $45-65/hour for practical examination

So, which is the best course for you? 

At one time I held many certifications with various organizations. It looked great on my resume however; it started to get very costly to keep them current. I decided to choose one organization to continue with my certifications.   

I went with the one that would help me continue my education credits (CEC's), online or in class, and worked around my schedule. 

No matter which one you choose, make sure you thoroughly research your options and consider the following:

• What is the time commitment?
• How much money are you able to invest?
• What are the requirements for re-certification?  Will you be able to meet them?
• What kind of support does the association offer?

Source

I have met trainers who are extremely knowledgeable and hold many certifications. I have learned from them, but they have no passion and lack personality. How do you teach “personality”?

Having personality is just one aspect, I believe being a great trainer is a combination of many things. For me this includes passion, love, education, expertise, experience and personality.

A few years back, I was personal training in a well known gym in Brantford. I had been working there for less than 6 month and had already 20 clients.   

One woman came up to me and said, “I’ve been watching you for a while now, and you’re the trainer I want. You’re fun, know what you’re doing and are able to push me when I need a push”.

I am the first one to say that I don’t know everything when it comes to fitness. However, I continue to learn and educate myself.  Most importantly I build relationships with my clients; I care about my clients and have fun with them. 

That is my secret…don’t tell anyone :) 

Keep Moving, 

Diana

FITness Training

Some questions to ponder:

Do you think requirements and standards should be the same across the board?

Can anyone call themselves a personal trainer?  

Does having a passion for fitness make you knowledgeable in the fitness industry? 

Do years of experience take presidency over education? 

Certification and the Fitness Industry, Part 1

Source

This series of posts was inspired by a discussion over at my friend Lisa's blog when she spoke to the "Biggest Loser's" newest trainer, Cara Castronuova about her certifications.  (You can read it here.)

It sparked a wonderful conversation about what skills and education are necessary for fitness professionals and what makes a good personal trainer (PT).

I have addressed this topic in other posts, but today I would like to offer my reflections after participating in this discussion:
 

• There exists no law (that I am aware of) that requires one to be certified or educated to call themselves a "personal trainer".  For this reason, good trainers should be upfront and honest about the education that they do or do not have.

• I cannot stress enough how important education (both theory and practical) is to the industry.  We are dealing with a client's health, well-being and safety.  Furthermore, regulation of this education would give our profession more credibility, prestige and value.

• That being said, having a dozen certifications certainly implies that a person is knowledgeable, but it does not mean that they are a great PT, nor does it mean that they are the right trainer for you.  A good trainer is a combination of personality, passion, skill and education.

• One does not necessarily need to be "certified" in everything.  For example, if you are a certified fitness instructor and you may not have to take separate certifications in other specialties such as fitness boxing or a yoga-inspired class.  This is provided that you have had adequate training and have proven yourself competent and safe through practical experience. 

Are you a fitness professional? 
What do you think about certification in the industry? 

Stay Healthy, 
Tracy

P.S. Thank you so much for your fantastic comments and support for the Vegan For A Week Challenge.  If you would like to join us, please check out  Morgan @ Life After Bagels for more information.