Entering training career - JP Fitness Forums

boss99er · 03-04-2006, 04:50 PM

I have been thinking lately about changing careers. I used to weight 280-290 lbs. I lost almost 100 lbs in the last 3 yrs and have drastically changed my life. Doing all of this has really got me hooked at healthy living and I think I would like to make a career of it. I have a two year degree in networking. I was wondering what it would take for me to have a successful career in nutrition and personal training. Would I have to get a 4 year degree??? Just wondering what my best plan of attack would be. Thanks everyone!!!

boss99er · 03-04-2006, 08:45 PM

From the looks of another thread I just read, it looks like I would like to go for the NSCA CPT. I would like to hear from people who have this certification. How hard was the test, how long should you study??? It looks like it will be about 250 bucks for study supplies, and about 280 for the test fees. This could get pricey. ha ha

JoshDunn · 03-04-2006, 11:47 PM

Try asking in the training discussion thats where this should be.

You can also do a search cause there are alots of discussions about getting certified.

BFG · 03-05-2006, 04:53 AM

boss thats very cheap compared to over here!!!!! Think I may study long distance and fly over it would still be cheaper!

A wrothwhile investment to live your dream (mineto haveing done the sme but not as much as you! bows in honour!)

boss99er · 03-05-2006, 08:15 AM

Ha ha thanks BFG. After I lost all that weight I see people now who think like I used to and I just want to help them out. I dont want to just start spouting off things I have learned because then I sound cocky. I want to be able to work somewhere where people can come to me. Yeah, sorry JoshDunn, I had no idea where to put this.

bipennate · 03-11-2006, 07:20 PM

Take a look at my 'CSCS Blog,' Boss. There is a lot of info about getting certified (including another guy who succesfully passed his NSCA-cpt) and the industry in general. It should be helpful

Isaac Wilkins · 12-07-2006, 12:58 PM

Given that you don't have a four-year degree I agree that the NSCA-CPT is the way to go.

I haven't read bipennate's blog yet, so forgive me if I restate what he does.

I would get the study materials to help you out. If nothing else they will give you a good idea of what is on the test. I remember being surprised at the amount of anatomy that was on the exam. I had been led to believe by some of the materials that it wouldn't be stressed to the degree that it was. Of course, I think that anatomy is a key area of knowledge anyway so you should learn it! That might just be my biomechanics background talking, though.

My girlfriend just took the exam, so she's had a more recent view of it. They seemed to stress special populations a lot more in her prep than I remember in mine so pay attention to that.

They will stress the legal/ethical situations in training quite a bit. Know these. Remember: When in doubt, refer.

You won't have to have as much pure physiology or periodization understanding as you would for the CSCS, but at least have a handle on it.

As far as my advice in the business it's this: Try to get a job at a local big chain gym part-time. These gyms suck and probably are going to jack you for a large percentage of what you make. They do have a ton of benefits for new trainers, though.
-They'll probably have some sort of training program to learn the business.
-A big part of the business is sales. You'll need practice. These gyms are full of people and have an aggressive sales system. You'll get lots and lots of shots.
-You'll have an experienced staff (which may or may not be good) to ask questions of and probably get to work out clients for as a "Fitness Instructor".
-You'll see some things to do right and some things done very wrong.

It'll give you great experience and an intro to the business. Who knows, you might end up in the rare big, shiny gym that has a great training program. If you do then game on!

Best of luck!

tinagladney · 12-07-2006, 01:47 PM

http://www.nptionline.net/
national personal training institute. i attend the NJ location, but they offer on-line schooling as well. the program is fulltime for 6months or part-time for a year. they offer financial aid/loan or you can arrange to pay monthly. please let me know if you look into this...

tinagladney · 12-07-2006, 01:49 PM

it's accredited and you'll earn a diploma!

Dinardo · 03-01-2007, 03:54 PM

First off, congratulations for losing a hundred pounds, boss99er! And here I was thinking I was hot stuff for losing 40.

Totally identify with what you said about not wanting to sound like you're spouting stuff out to people just because you lost x pounds and are cocky about it. Can't help it sometimes, though. I just really want to help people too!

As for your question, one of my friends took a 4 year course majoring in Sports Science and is now a certified trainer although she plans to eventually go on to medschool. You probably won't want it to take THAT long but whattheheck, I mean, if you ever realize you want to go to Medschool, right?

UConnJulie · 03-02-2007, 05:58 AM

Boss, I just took the NSCA-CPT ... it is well worth the money to buy all the study materials ... I think I spent about $700 for the study stuff, the exam, and the NSCA membership. I have a BA and a BS and I am a licenced physical therapist. With my background the test was not exceedingly difficult although I cannot imagine how difficult it would be had I not had classes in anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, sports medicine in the past. Now that there is the new option of taking it anytime via computer, get the study materials (the whole package) spend a while studying it and take all of the practice exams offerred. When you are consistenly passing those, then sit for the exam. Getting some good practical experience with a gym chain is a great idea too.
Best of luck to you.

strambo · 11-03-2007, 12:13 AM

I just got certified through NASM and got a big discount on it by getting hired on as a trainer at one of the big gyms. I figured working for a big gym was a good way to start. Kinda off to a slow start trying to get some clients (and hit my stride). They say only 1 out of 6 new trainers stick with it.

You are going into it for the right reasons wanting to help others. You have a good advantage having been through exactly what your average client will have to go through. I've never been overweight like that, so there is kinda a gulf between us where I feel like I can't totally relate. Figure out how to use that advantage without being cocky...instill your confidence that they can do it (with your help) into them!