CSCS vs. CPT? - JP Fitness Forums

John Izzo · 05-09-2006, 03:45 PM

I would like to know what your opinions are on the differences between a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)?

The panelists on my Roundtable are made up of fitness professionals in the fields of sports conditioning and rehab, as well as trainers. They're insights were interesting. Wondering what you guys think?

Check out the panelists here.

bipennate · 05-12-2006, 07:50 PM

Nice site, John (interestingly enough, I work with one of your panelists, Chaney)...

I tend to agree with you. Certification, IMO, indicates that you were able to study for and pass a test. It speaks nothing of your overall abilities to be able to motivate, educate, or influence your clients/athletes. Certainly, there are some certifications that are considered "better" than others, and the level of knowledge needed to pass these tests does, on paper, indicate a "superior" professional. However, I have known trainers with "lesser" certifications and no formal education in exercise or physiology that I consider to be outstanding trainers, and I have also known well-educated, highly certified individuals who aren't worth a damn.

Certification is a test and a framed piece of paper. It is the individual trainer/coach that makes it count for anything.

Jonathan

ryan122185 · 05-14-2006, 09:54 PM

dos · 01-10-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Izzo

I would like to know what your opinions are on the differences between a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)?

The panelists on my Roundtable are made up of fitness professionals in the fields of sports conditioning and rehab, as well as trainers. They're insights were interesting. Wondering what you guys think?

Check out the panelists here.

John, have you ever sat for the CSCS? Just wondering since you are the first person I have seen with a BA/BS who has their NSCA-CPT but not the CSCS.

John Izzo · 01-11-2007, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos

John, have you ever sat for the CSCS? Just wondering since you are the first person I have seen with a BA/BS who has their NSCA-CPT but not the CSCS.

Dos, I don't have a NSCA...I have a NASM-CPT and recently, PES.

Sat in the exam in 1998 while at school. Let it lapse in 2000. Got interested in NASM since.

Keith Scott · 01-11-2007, 04:46 AM

I really cant speak for the CPT, I do have a CSCS and also a PES from NASM. but as far as exams go the only thing I can say is that the CSCS exam was much more difficult than the PES exam.

That doesnt really speak in any way for the type of trainer that I might be, only that one exam and cert is much more difficult than the other IMO.

dos · 01-11-2007, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Izzo

Dos, I don't have a NSCA...I have a NASM-CPT and recently, PES.

Sat in the exam in 1998 while at school. Let it lapse in 2000. Got interested in NASM since.

DUH.....I just assumed NSCA when I saw your CPT. My bad.

dos · 01-11-2007, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Scott

I really cant speak for the CPT, I do have a CSCS and also a PES from NASM. but as far as exams go the only thing I can say is that the CSCS exam was much more difficult than the PES exam.

That doesnt really speak in any way for the type of trainer that I might be, only that one exam and cert is much more difficult than the other IMO.

Hey Keith, I also can't speak for the other certs (only have my CSCS) but I had heard that as well (...that the CSCS is probably the toughest exam out there).

UConnJulie · 01-11-2007, 06:40 AM

Although I have a BA and a BS, I am sitting for the NSCA-CPT ... I wasn't sure which to get (I'm going to start training folks in their homes) so I called the NSCA and they said that for what I am planning to do the NSCA-CPT was what I needed. I think I will probably take the CSCS in a few years ...

John Izzo · 01-11-2007, 06:48 AM

For me personally, weh I sat for the CSCS exam in 1998, it was something all of us were doing in our Ex. Phy dept. I knew I wasn't going to be working with athletes, nor did I know the "revelance" of the cert back then. Flash-forward today>>>> having been a former athlete, I understand most of teh concepts and have applied towards my GP clients and some scholastic athletes. The NASM-PES pretty much re-assured me on stuff I already knew or familiar with.

I have been involved with NASM knee-deep since 2000 because at the time, my employer required it. The PES is very NASM "influenced" whereas the CSCS is teaches S&C without biases.

02-27-2007, 04:45 PM

I have my BS in Exercise Science Physiology and I am currently studying to get the CSCS cert. Prior to receiving my BS I tested for NASM, ISSA and even ACSM; All of these certs have some valuable information, but by no means do I feel they are a MUST.

I have a great deal of respect for NSCA's prerequisites on there CSCS program. Thus far, I have found the material insightful and to the point. The CSCS appears to be a very reputable cert. I trust that the time and money spent will be worth it. Any suggestions for areas of focus for this cert.?

As noted in previous threads, the cert. won't get you the position you may desire.....often times it's the ability to be personable and build rapport that snags the job....at least I find that true in the PT field....In other cases such as strength and conditioning positions for pro organizations, it can also be who you know.

dos · 02-27-2007, 08:37 PM

Essentials of strength training and conditioning and practice tests and vids....you'll be good to go.

trainerty · 02-28-2007, 12:57 PM

I agree with bipennate on this one. I have worked with trainers with CSCS and was impressed by most, but not all. I have to admit the unimpressive ones did not have much time under their belts.
I believe most trainers (including CSCS) need sometime to develop not just a reputable cert. That is a good start though.

John Izzo · 02-28-2007, 01:27 PM

Wow...this thread got resurrected after a year.

I think for the most part, experience defines the trainer...the cert outlines him/her. What I like about the CSCS is the fact that most of the college kids interested in it have played sports and it enables to relate to the potential athletes they will help.

Another thing to ponder...think of how many exercise departments require their seniors to sit in on the CSCS exam every year/semester and HOW many of those become certified and actually do something with it. I know its a hard test (I actually let mine lapse), but think of how many kids get it and do nothing with it.

weightworkout · 03-20-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan17

I have a great deal of respect for NSCA's prerequisites on there CSCS program. Thus far, I have found the material insightful and to the point. The CSCS appears to be a very reputable cert. I trust that the time and money spent will be worth it. Any suggestions for areas of focus for this cert.?

I wrote my exam not that long ago and will give you my thoughts on the exam.

Most of the material on the exam is in the book the NSCA recommends. As you know the exam is broken down into 2 parts. Part 1 Exercise Science, i found this to be pretty straight forward. I do not have a science background so I spent lots of time on this section and did well. A friend had just graduated with an exercise science degree and failed, the nutritional section really got him. So i believe the NSCA book is worth it. In this section I can remember lots of questions on VO2 max.

The practical and applied portion of the exam was much more difficult. I think one reason it was so much harder was the fact that the book and the symposium study book and cd's did not cover all the material. I would say that it did provide 75 - 80% of the information needed but when you need a 70% grade to pass that does not leave much room for error. I do not believe that an investment in the symposium study book and cd's is worth the money.

For the second section of the CSCS exam I would recommend you know all that you can about plyometrics, free weight and machines, agility/sprint mechanics, and all cardio exercise machines. With respect to carido equipment you need to know how to adjust it, technique, how it compares to the movement it simulates. If I remember there are 40 questions that you watch and answer questions about technique. It is also important to know norms for sports, positions, and sex, for example, what would a NCAA male QB run a 40 in, bench, squat, and his vertical.

Know the major muscles, what they do and where they are, strengths and weaknesses.

Hope this helps
any other questions I will be happy to help, or if you need any study materials I have a few.