Advice and Motivation Please... - JP Fitness Forums

SprtsPrfmceCch · 03-10-2008, 10:24 AM

Okay, so here is my deal. Soon to be 23 years old and am sort of in a cross roads in my life. I have a BS in the field of Exercise Science in which I completed an internship at a well credited national sports performance facility. I have been studying pretty hard for my CSCS, but just don't have the money for this exam right now. I feel I have a great knowledge for the field of sports performance and strength and conditioning, but I hesitate to pursue job openings. I just feel that I won't be taken seriously without my CSCS. I guess I'm just looking for some advice and maybe personal experiences. Is my BS in Exercise Science enough to be taken seriously, or should I wait for my CSCS? Any comments will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

PowerManDL · 03-10-2008, 10:36 AM

Who you know and your experience is a much greater determinant than letters after your name.

In your position I'd worry far more about networking and making contacts than I would about a rather trivial qualification.

Also along those lines, don't turn down a foot in the door, either.

SprtsPrfmceCch · 03-10-2008, 10:46 AM

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it. Anyone else? Maybe personal experience?

Jean-Paul · 03-12-2008, 07:44 AM

You are on the right track. Can you borrow the money to finish your cert?

If you can't afford that one, can you afford any other certs out there just to get you started? You need something if you are going to work professionally. Some liability policies won't cover you if you aren't.

The CSCS is the best, but you don't necessarily have to have it to be successful. I can't sit for it since I didn't graduate from college, but I have managed to make a pretty successful career out of fitness.

I don't recommend my path mind you. Only saying that your abilities will ultimately determine your level of success no matter what a piece of paper says. I know some CSCS's who aren't worth a damn as trainers. Even fewer ACSM trainers are worth a damn (flawed philosophy).

It sure as hell doesn't hurt, and if you ever want to get published that is the best one to have. Do what you can to raise the money to take the test. Make it an important goal. If it's impossible, don't let that hold you back from launching your fitness career.

SprtsPrfmceCch · 03-12-2008, 08:37 AM

Jean-Paul, Thanks a lot! That was some of the motivation I was looking for. I start a new job soon for the summer in which I will make more money and also add some of my knowledge of strength and conditioning to coaching soccer. I plan on taking one of my first paychecks and taking this exam. I pretty much don't want to take any others. I love what the NSCA is about. I just don't feel it compares to anything else out there.

Trirunner · 03-12-2008, 12:33 PM

What about ACSM's philopsy don't you like? I think there are pro's and con's to all of the philopsies. My own idea's are a combination of several organizations idea's. I kind of pick and choose.

SprtsPrfmceCch · 03-12-2008, 01:44 PM

I never said I disliked the other organizations. In college I was actually pushed very hard towards ACSM. My exercise physiology classes were all based off of ACSM materials. I respect the ACSM, but I still feel that there are a lot of other certifications out there that just don't compare to these. I am a member of the NSCA and have read a lot more of their material as of late, so maybe I am just being biased. Sorry I did not mean to offend you or anyone else.

Jean-Paul · 03-13-2008, 07:06 PM

They have a heavy push for cardio, which I think is overrated in general. Also, they tend to advise using machine-based workout programs.

I attended 3 of their annual summits (don't go anymore), and went to a lot of their Experts' Sessions, and was dismayed that they tried to tell people to NEVER do loaded lumbar exercises with their clients, such as an RDL or goodmornings. They prefer the leg curl. To say that I disagree is honestly the understatement of the freakin' century!

It just runs contrary to my entire philosophy, so I decided to dump them as an info resource. I prefer the Perform Better Summit to tell you the truth!

Forza Trainer · 03-15-2008, 05:15 PM

-First Post-
I figured I would throw my 2 cents in. Do you need the CSCS cert to work with athletes? No.. However it helps to show you have that specialization when people are looking to hire someone who would train athletes. Alot of getting jobs in the sports performance industry has to do with contacts, but if you don't have a CSCS, it will be hard to get a job training athletes at the college level or above because it's often a requirement to even interview.
As a person who has both the ACSM HFI and NSCA CSCS, they are just two different certs with a different focus. CSCS=General Sports Performance ACSM=Clinical based exercise science with the possibility of deconditioned clients with emphasis on fitness and health. I too was pushed into ACSM buy a few of my college classes, but it may help if you want to get into working in a clinical setting.

All that being said, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on certification, I've learned a majority of what I know about training from life experience rather than from my BS in Exercise Science and my certs.

Tom@foresight · 03-18-2008, 07:33 AM

Good point Forza and I am in teh same position. Here in the UK we are committed to 12 hours a year of directed learning to continue being licenced under REP's. I tend to do around 24 hours of courses a year and attend a number of summits, etc...

But i do feel that the most valuable lessons that i have learnt are from my own research. I would say in general most qualifications will give you a basic understanding of a subject, but to truely understand a subject I think alot of personal research and reading around the topic is needed.

TOM

jdford · 03-22-2008, 06:51 PM

I say bite the bullet and figure out a way to get the money to write the CSCS. The reality is it gives you some credibility. I haven't had a certification in a few years and can't write the CSCS because I haven't finished my degree yet but I've been pretty successful in that time working with some elite level athletes. The way I see it, my knowledge doesn't change regardless of what letters I have after my name.

PowerManDL · 03-23-2008, 02:59 AM

If you've been working with elite-level athletes that will count for way more than the CSCS.

Forza Trainer · 03-23-2008, 12:44 PM

The way I see it, if you have the CSCS, it can help open up doors to train elite athletes or more elite athletes than you are currently training. It's just another tool in your tool kit, but it shows that you at least have a specialization in working with athletes.

RyPat · 03-24-2008, 03:23 PM

Depending on what kind of jobs you are applying for, some places may pay for your certification..worth a shot anyway

Forza Trainer · 03-24-2008, 10:15 PM

Hey Ry, Good luck at CSU, they have a good Exercise Science program...