I found a lot of very informative threads about how to become a personal trainer (my goal!). Thanks to the members of this forum
But as I don't live in the US (I live in Thailand), for convenience reasons my choice is between ACE, ACSM and ISSA. These are the main ones I found to have examination centers in Thailand (or online exam).
The prices are roughly the same.
So my question is: Which CPT certification has the best reputation on the market place?
As this question might be a little bit subjective, which one is the biggest one? is there any of these 3 training agencies to avoid and why?
ACSM seems to get all the mainstream legitimacy, but I don't really care too much for them. I disagree completely with their philosophy, and I don't think their manual and test really prepare you for actual training (unless you need to know if someone needs a radionuclide perfusion after a myocardial infarction or whatever that question was).
ACE is the easiest test you will take for sure, but they are like ACSM-lite. It will get you certified, but not prepared.
I like ISSA. I'm not certified with them, but I have a lot of respect for the cert, and have had good experiences with the trainers I've hired with ISSA certs.
I also like the CSCS (with some but not many reservations), and NESTA.
Good luck. Let us know which way you choose and keep us up to date. I'm curious about the fitness industry in Thailand anyway.
The most popular of those certs you've mentioned happens to be ACE. The most reputable is the ACSM. I like ISSA also, but they are not as mainstream as the others, however, I do see them growing within the next 3-5 years. You should ask yourself what type of clientèle you see yourself working with in the future: sedentary, general population, or post-op? ACSM is very clinical and in my opinion, too slow--simply because they address every client as a accident waiting to happen. I suggest you go with an "open door" certification and begin your experience with your first site of employment. a testing site doesn't necessary deem a certification better than the other, it simply means they use an independent firm to test and score applicants. I am partial to NASM, but I think in this juncture in your career, a certification that open your eyes to this profession will be suffice.
I considered NASM as well but you can't get the exam outside of the U.S.
Is the fact that ISSA is not accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) a problem? Has it any impact in the real world or just a nice-to-have accreditation?
In response to earlier posts regarding ISSA's credibility, reputation & accreditation...
The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has just become the first U.S.-based fitness organization to earn national accreditation from a federally recognized accrediting agency–the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)–the standard-setting agency for distance education institutions.
For a link to the DETC site, click here: http://www.detc.org/school_details.php?id=293
The United States Department of Education lists the Accrediting Commission of the DETC as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. The Secretary of Education is required by law to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies. These agencies have been determined by the Secretary to reliably evaluate the quality of education provided by institutions of higher education.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) also recognizes the Accrediting Commission of the DETC. CHEA is a private nonprofit national organization that coordinates accreditation activity in the United States. Recognition by CHEA affirms that the standards and processes of accrediting organizations are consistent with the quality, improvement, and accountability expectations of the CHEA. As with the US Department of Education, DETC accreditation meets these standards. (It’s worthwhile to note that NCCA accreditation does not qualify.)
To view the CHEA site, click here: http://chea.org/search/actionInst.asp?CheaID=173856
+ + + + +
For military personnel, The ISSA is also listed in the DANTES catalog as an approved education provider. The ISSA is the first U.S. based fitness organization to earn this distinction. http://www.dantescatalogs.com/NADLPDetails.aspx?InstitutionID=264&SearchString=issa&WordSearch=true
The ISSA under title 38 U.S. Code is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE), as of June 15, 2002. This approval is granted in accordance with the responsibilities delegated to the BPPVE under Title 38, Chapter 36, U.S. Code Sections 3671(a) and 3672(a).
This qualifies ISSA students for MGIB tuition reimbursement.
Our cage code is 3HVH4 our DUNS # is 826197766 and our Tax ID # is 770273037 https://www.bpn.gov/bincs/choose.asp
In response to earlier posts regarding ISSA's credibility, reputation & accreditation...
The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has just become the first U.S.-based fitness organization to earn national accreditation from a federally recognized accrediting agency–the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)–the standard-setting agency for distance education institutions.
For a link to the DETC site, click here: http://www.detc.org/school_details.php?id=293
The United States Department of Education lists the Accrediting Commission of the DETC as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. The Secretary of Education is required by law to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies. These agencies have been determined by the Secretary to reliably evaluate the quality of education provided by institutions of higher education.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) also recognizes the Accrediting Commission of the DETC. CHEA is a private nonprofit national organization that coordinates accreditation activity in the United States. Recognition by CHEA affirms that the standards and processes of accrediting organizations are consistent with the quality, improvement, and accountability expectations of the CHEA. As with the US Department of Education, DETC accreditation meets these standards. (It’s worthwhile to note that NCCA accreditation does not qualify.)
To view the CHEA site, click here: http://chea.org/search/actionInst.asp?CheaID=173856
+ + + + +
For military personnel, The ISSA is also listed in the DANTES catalog as an approved education provider. The ISSA is the first U.S. based fitness organization to earn this distinction. http://www.dantescatalogs.com/NADLPDetails.aspx?InstitutionID=264&SearchString=issa&WordSearch=true
The ISSA under title 38 U.S. Code is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE), as of June 15, 2002. This approval is granted in accordance with the responsibilities delegated to the BPPVE under Title 38, Chapter 36, U.S. Code Sections 3671(a) and 3672(a).
This qualifies ISSA students for MGIB tuition reimbursement.
Our cage code is 3HVH4 our DUNS # is 826197766 and our Tax ID # is 770273037 https://www.bpn.gov/bincs/choose.asp
I don't remember anyone questioning their credibility or accreditation but "whatevuh!" Thanks for da linx.
I would like to work with older clients, and also kids. I know that's kind of crazy, but those are my interests. I don't mind a lot of detail, in fact I prefer it. I'm not afraid of studying and I would rather have lots of info than too little.
Nothing wrong with those interests... It's easier to build a name for yourself if you specialize. You can become the "youth training expert" in your area. On that front I highly recommend Brian Grasso's IYCA (international youth conditioning association).
I don't know that there is a specific cert that caters to the elderly but just having a good general background (NASM is fine) should suffice. Your reputation will spring more from who you market to than by your certification though, so for either it really doesn't matter, as long as you have some credentials. Your credibility will build as long as you never stop learning and you carry that passion to each individual training session.
Thanks JP--that's the direction I was thinking. Looks like I'll go for NASM and if I am motivated I will do IYCA later--I've been getting Brian's stuff for a while and I really like it.
hello, im taining to be pt as well and i chose NSCA just bc a friend went through them and had great things to say about it. Does anyone have any comments about NSCA? Its hard. Im on chapter 3.
I am qualified as a personal trainer back in Ireland (NCEHS). The course was intense, over 5 months and classroom based. It was great from the practical point of view as they were so particular on technique, safety and also strong on the theory. I work in finance, though training is my first love. I might be spending more time in the USA with work in the future and am considering backing up my qualification with a USA based one as I am was approached about being involved in opening a gym while here. I would be more involved in the business side than hands on personal training.
I originally thought of doing ACE as a few friends at home did this course and advised it as a good choice. I went ahead and ordered the materials for study. Now from looking at these posts I am wondering should I be doing ISSA? Bearing in mind I wouldn't be a hands on trainer would ACE still be ok or should I do ISSA?
ACE, ACSM or ISSA
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