Sorry, I've never heard of the International Fitness Association. I took the test (It's a 100 question True/False test), and some the questions are well...retarded (sorry, I know I'm not supposed to use that word, but they were), not to mention incorrect.
I guess my question to you would be, "What are you hoping to do with an IFA certification?"
And on top of it all, you can take the test as many times as you want. They give you the answers to your 'incorrect' ones right after you take the test.
The manual was pretty good. I was just asking because I know nothing about fitness certifications, and I did not know if they were all like this or not.
Well, a lot of people around here will recommend a NSCA certification. Personally, I'm studying for the CSCS (one of the NSCA ones) and I am learning a TON from their textbook. The review materials also include a video/DVD and seminar audio tapes.
If you have the time, energy, and patience - I say go for it (it requires an undergrad degree (in anything)).
Best of luck
Honestly, I haven't even put the DVD in my player yet. The audio tapes are basically a rehash. However I find them useful only because sitting in front of a textbook can be a lonely thing, and hearing someone talk about this stuff is a nice relief (sad, eh? but there are a few chapters that are DRY (the one on the heart comes to mind...))
Sorry if you've posted this information already, but are you looking for a career as a trainer, to enter the team training field, as an 'adjunct' to what you already do, or just for kicks (believe it or not, a few of us older guys were talking of studying and getting certified for the heck of it)?
That's a more complicated question than you could imagine! Currently, I'm an accountant. And, yes, it's just as boring as you think it is.
So, I've got a gameplan for a career shift, but it's a long and somewhat arduous one.
I would like to, ultimately, get a PhD in nutrition, and in the process work in the fitness industry. I figure getting a CSCS would be a great start to my plan.
Unfortunately, I'm kind of isolated in this pursuit - in the sense that I have little to no contact with the fitness or nutrition industry. BryanC has helped me a lot in this respect, and in fact I printed out the replies he had to my original post in the fitness forum here.
Right now, I can see myself ultimately working for a college or high school sports team as a sports nutrition advisor. Does such a job even exist? I'm not sure, quite frankly. But, I figure if I can get a job at a college I could teach as well.
But, at this point I am getting way ahead of myself. I've really got to get all my ducks lined up before I break this news to my parents, as well (I'm 28 - they might freak a little bit)
I never heard IFA. It probably worth nothing. I am studying right now for the ACE exam. Oh please don't flame me. I am then going to get the NASM cert and then the NSCA-CPT, after that who knows I may even get the CSCS if I go back to college I am 30 now is it too late to start learning in a classroom setting? [img]smile.gif[/img] I hope not. But, first things first got to pass the ACE exam in Dec. [img]smile.gif[/img] .
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In Health,
Silas S Chen Exercise Specialist @ MorganStanely Fitness Center Mid-town NYC
It's never too late to go back to school. When I taught evening business classes at the local university, a number of students in my classes were older than me. They worked full time and took evening classes towards their bachelor's degrees. They were often my best students.
Thanks Kaiser, for the encouragement now the reason I was saying this was that work baiscly force me to get a ACE Cert. and now I am studying for the exam and I kind of like studying now. And its not all that difficult especially if you have the support like I do at work I got a free tutor every friday I meet w/ him. I was never great in taking tests but this time it will be a diffrent story.
__________________
In Health,
Silas S Chen Exercise Specialist @ MorganStanely Fitness Center Mid-town NYC
Never heard of it. Im certified under the International Sports and Science Association (I.S.S.A). Im also currently studying for the C.S.C.S even though im not yet 21 or have a bachelors degree, i guess its just for some kicks until im really able to obtain the certification in the future. I get payed very well though for my age, around 600-700 weekly. And its part-time work so its all good. I make my real money playing No-Limit Texas Hold'em. I won a tourny in San Diego this past sunday, and came out with $11,445 in winnings...also won a qualifying seat for the next WPT tourny, but im just rambling now lol...my apologies.
In my opinion the CSCS is the best certification you can get. If I had a large enough pool of talent in LR I would require them before hiring trainers. You have to either have a degree (any degree), or be within a year of graduating (related field) just to sit for the exam.
I'm pretty sure its poker, with specific rules to make it that version, JP. Or were you asking about the specifics of that version?
Pretty funny that I know this coming from a guy who doesn't gamble (education in statistics...what can I say? Ruins it because I run the odds through my head every time. [img]smile.gif[/img] )
Hey K - you're probably more aquainted with low or high Chicago...I don't gamble either but I've seen to many friends lose their mortgage payment at a table of friends during a stag. opps way off topic.
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Take care of your lawn
and
the grass will be greener on your side of the fence
IFA doesn't sound very good, considering you pay AFTER you take the test. So you can take it until you pass, without any penalty?
I'd say the IFA just wants to get as many $99 memberships as possible, and could care less about providing credible trainers to the field.
Stick with a reputable certification like NSCA, ISSA, ACSM, NASM, or ACE. Those are recognized by most facilities and will help you get a job and will give you some credibility among other "trainers" (some certs more than others).
Silas: exercise specialist is a lot harder than ACE and your knowledge of exercise physiology has to be greater, although it's not personal training specific. The people you work for are silly, although more certifications don't hurt. (Ask Alwyn, I think he has 10 )
vin: You don't need a PhD in nutrition unless you definitely want to teach at the university level, want to be a serious researcher, or want to write a diet book (there are ways to get around that, though . An RD will serve you just as well (as an advisor/consultant, etc) as long as you forget everything they tell you! All kidding aside, combine it with a master's degree in exercise phys or nutrition and you'll position yourself well. But nothing wrong with going all the way. My intention was to get my PhD and I stopped at my Masters, so you can always decide later. (I've never been sure if it was the right decision or not, although it's worked out okay so far.)
Also, I went back to school when I was 27 (I'm 33 now) and would encourage anyone to do it if it's for the right reasons. The two or four or six years are nothing in the scheme of things. The school loans are the only real downside. But those don't matter either if you enjoy what you're doing.
Originally posted by Adam Campbell:
vin: You don't need a PhD in nutrition unless you definitely want to teach at the university level, want to be a serious researcher, or want to write a diet book (there are ways to get around that, though . An RD will serve you just as well (as an advisor/consultant, etc) as long as you forget everything they tell you! All kidding aside, combine it with a master's degree in exercise phys or nutrition and you'll position yourself well. But nothing wrong with going all the way. My intention was to get my PhD and I stopped at my Masters, so you can always decide later. (I've never been sure if it was the right decision or not, although it's worked out okay so far.)
Also, I went back to school when I was 27 (I'm 33 now) and would encourage anyone to do it if it's for the right reasons. The two or four or six years are nothing in the scheme of things. The school loans are the only real downside. But those don't matter either if you enjoy what you're doing.
Hey Adam, thanks for the words of wisdom! My plan has changed since that post, however. I am 99% percent sure I'm going to pursue a physical therapy license. That niggling 1% is a matter of beginning my volunteer position at The Hospital for Joint Diseases (May 8th is my start date), to really *really* make sure it's for me. It's a big commitment that will require one year of nearly full-time undergrad work, then onto my full-time three year masters (or doctorate) in physical therapy.
The student loans are killer; I have become used to a lifestyle where I support myself and make somewhat decent money (I'm an accountant). Looks like I'll be going back to my student lifestyle, however! Man, the ladies of this fine city are gonna *hate* that
Here's my opinion about the different certifications. I put it at the bottom of my page http://www.fitchicago.com You can see that I didn't mention IFA - That's because I never heard of them. I just asked the other trainers in my office too, and none of them ever heard of it.
Only 10% of my new clients even ask if I'm certified (I have 6 certs), and when I start reeling off acronyms like NSCA, CSCS *D, etc, their eyes glaze over. They don't know what any of that means (that's why I put it on the page).
I suggest start with an easy but widely known cert, like ACE PT, then try for NSCA CSCS (you need a degree) or ACSM HFI. That will get you credibility with folks who know.
These are my opinions, and I'm open to being wrong (it wouldn't be the first time).
I don't think I need to GET all of these certs myself to form an opinion. My opinions are based on:
1. Trainers I know who have had some of these certs.
2. The textbooks/study material I've seen from these organizaions.
3. What you have to go through to get the certs.
For example, NESTA has a mickey mouse home test. So they get rated low. But they require people to interview practicing trainers. I like that. So they get rated just above average. I've probably had 100 NESTA candidates interview me (unsually via email). They seem about the level I'd expect from an ACE PT: just above average.
Certs that require a degree get extra points, like NSCA CSCS; ACE CES; ACSM HFI.
AFTA gets a big fat 0 simply because they're peddling HGH nose spray on their home page. I want to see loser organizations like that wither away and die.
You're questioning Chek certification?! I don't agree with some of his stuff (the vision correction and sleep stuff, but that has no place in personal training anyway). But to get the first cert, you need five days intensive study, that's AFTER completing prerequisites that are harder than almost any other cert out there. Compare that to an ACE test, where you show up, and take a very simple multiple choice test.
I've taken some correspodence courses from Chek for CEC's. They have all been EXCELLENT. Every Chek practioner I've met has been a very good trainer. I've read many of his articles where I've learned many things that have helped me. See
for a perfect example. How many people do you know who bench until their shoulders become injured. How many textbooks have you seen where it shows "Good form" with a bench is when the bar comes low enough to touch the chest. Truth is, for most people, that's horrible form. The bar should stop a few inches above the chest. I leaned that from Paul Chek. Now my (and my clients') shoulders don't hurt anymore.
I'll guarantee you, someone who goes through everything needed to become Chek certified is light years ahead of someone who crams for a weekend and takes the ACE test.
I'll add one more thing. Sal Arria and others are trying to establish a national board exam for personal trainers. This is an effort to combat all of the loser organization certs out there who aren't helping us cultivate a professional reputation. If you're concerned about this as I am, get on board at http://www.nbfe.org Phil Kaplan is also trying to do something about this with the American Association of Personal Trainers. I recommend all concerned professionals join with us at http://www.aapt.net
Sorry for the long post, but the poor quality of the average "certified" trainer is something I've been sceaming about for years, and will continue to for as long as this problem persists. Please join me.
How many people do you know who bench until their shoulders become injured. How many textbooks have you seen where it shows "Good form" with a bench is when the bar comes low enough to touch the chest. Truth is, for most people, that's horrible form. The bar should stop a few inches above the chest. I leaned that from Paul Chek. Now my (and my clients') shoulders don't hurt anymore.
The load on the shoulder is determined by hand spacing, weight, speed of movement, type of muscle contraction, amount of prestretch, tissue stiffness/compliance, frequency of training, volume, spinal mobility, accumulation/rate of fatigue, technical issues and any number of factors as well as range of motion. Therefore, bench press range of motion is individualized and it is incorrect to consider it the only source/cause of your or your clients shoulder pain.
I've been curious about getting some type of certification soon or in the distant future. I will be starting college soon (I'm 18)and majoring in Nutrition with the option of going to med school. I am interested in both nutrition and excercise phys and would like to pursue a career in one of the two or both. Can you guys share some advice/tips/knowledge of the jobs out there in those fields and certification.
but there are a few chapters that are DRY (the one on the heart comes to mind...))
(I'm 28 - they might freak a little bit)
I am 30 now is it too late to start learning in a classroom setting? [img]smile.gif[/img] I hope not. But, first things first got to pass the ACE exam in Dec. [img]smile.gif[/img] .
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