Waiting for my ACSM materials. Advice is greatly appreaciated. - JP Fitness Forums

-G- · 07-08-2008, 09:13 PM

Hi! I just ordered the following materials for taking the ACSM Personal TRainer certification exam.

I ordered:
1. ACSM's Resources for the Personal TRainer (2nd ed.)
2. ACSM;s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (7th ed)
3. ACSM's Certifiction review
4. Resource Manual for Guidleines for Exercise Testing and Prescription.

I'm a graduate of Physical Therapy here in the Philippines, back in 1998. I never got to practice the profession. But I've been a fitness enthusiast for 8 years or so now. I run a boxing gym and read on new trainings to update myself.

Now, I'm reviewing Anatomy and Physiology - and I'm thinking of taking the ACSM-CPT certification exam in November... I'm just thinking of going through all the ACSM books as soon as they arrive - one at a time. I would appreciate any other tips in taking the exam.

And I do have dilemma too... I'm a graduate of Physical Therapy - and am contemplating on taking the HFI exam instead... What do you think?

Thank you!

Joe Cannon, MS, CSCS · 07-09-2008, 10:45 AM

ACSM is a good organization but have you considered the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). That is who I am certified by. its very well respected and usually gets mentioned in the same sentence as ACSM. HFI is a good cert but so too is the "CSCS" Cert.
Joe Cannon, MS, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
My website Joe Cannon - Home

Forza Trainer · 07-09-2008, 10:54 AM

I have both the CSCS from NSCA and the HFI from ACSM, and honestly, it all depends on where you want to work, if it's more of a clinical setting, usually the HFI is more applicable, more sports related, the CSCS would be better. Honestly, just get a reputable cert, and continue to improve your education with experience, but remember that if you don't have any clients because your business skills arent up to par, it doesn't matter what you know, or how many certs you have. I'm learning this the hard way right now...

Jean-Paul · 07-09-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forza Trainer

I have both the CSCS from NSCA and the HFI from ACSM, and honestly, it all depends on where you want to work, if it's more of a clinical setting, usually the HFI is more applicable, more sports related, the CSCS would be better. Honestly, just get a reputable cert, and continue to improve your education with experience, but remember that if you don't have any clients because your business skills arent up to par, it doesn't matter what you know, or how many certs you have. I'm learning this the hard way right now...

x 2

Welcome to the forum Joe and G!

-G- · 07-09-2008, 10:26 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome. I also considered CSCS. But, I'm thinking of specializing personal fitness to Pre and Post Natal women here in Manila... I think CSCS might be too hardcore for me at the moment. Maybe the basics first?

And I get asked for fitness advice by friends and complete strangers have come up to me and asked if I could help them train. When I'm asked: "how do you do it?". I clam up - because what works for me may not work for them. I know that I know a lot for myself. I just don't want to train blindly.

ark · 07-09-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -G-

Thanks for the warm welcome. I also considered CSCS. But, I'm thinking of specializing personal fitness to Pre and Post Natal .

Just yesterday I was at the OBGYN (sorry guys) and a pre and post natal trainer came in the office to drop off flyers. Three pregnant ladies jumped up and started drilling the trainer. They all 3 said they would be calling the trainers asap to set up appointments. That took all of 5 minutes of the trainers time, and hopefully she will have a few more clients

Jean-Paul · 07-10-2008, 07:40 AM

Actually NSCA has one of the best pre and post natal training programs I have ever seen. I have one of my trainers reading the course material right now.

Quote:

I think CSCS might be too hardcore for me at the moment. Maybe the basics first?

I wouldn't agree at all with this statement. The difference isn't a matter of "hardcore"... It's a matter of difference of philosophy. I don't particularly like ACSM based on attending many of their national fitness summits.

As stated earlier though, it almost doesn't matter what your cert is. You just need to have one. Your education won't even begin until after you start working in the field.

Good luck, and stick around. This place is a good resource for trainers.

Onericali · 08-16-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ark

Just yesterday I was at the OBGYN (sorry guys) and a pre and post natal trainer came in the office to drop off flyers. Three pregnant ladies jumped up and started drilling the trainer. They all 3 said they would be calling the trainers asap to set up appointments. That took all of 5 minutes of the trainers time, and hopefully she will have a few more clients

bwahahahah thanks!

WalkingDysfunction · 08-17-2008, 01:36 AM

I'm curious.....how come you never utilized your Physical Therapy degree (I assume license as well)? I've heard that PT's do not get paid as well in the Philippines compared to the US, but is being a CPT more lucrative over there? I'm asking because I'm in Physical Therapy.

I recently passed my CSCS and while I didn't think it was an easy exam....I didn't think it was too hardcore for someone with a PT background (assuming that you are familiar with strength training and conditioning). My classmate is a certified ACSM-HFI....I'm not sure how the exams are like though.

-G- · 08-19-2008, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalkingDysfunction

I'm curious.....how come you never utilized your Physical Therapy degree (I assume license as well)? I've heard that PT's do not get paid as well in the Philippines compared to the US, but is being a CPT more lucrative over there? I'm asking because I'm in Physical Therapy.

I recently passed my CSCS and while I didn't think it was an easy exam....I didn't think it was too hardcore for someone with a PT background (assuming that you are familiar with strength training and conditioning). My classmate is a certified ACSM-HFI....I'm not sure how the exams are like though.

Hi there! I graduated in 1998, I failed the one time for the boards here and didn't take it again. I worked in the events and sales industry, and got hooked in boxing (as fitness) in 2002. Then put up a Boxing Gym in 2004.

If you're a licensed Physical Therapist here - might as well go some other country if you'll pursue it as a career. I'm doing well here with running a couple of businesses than being employed.

And Personal Trainers do well more here than PT's based here in The Philippines. I know there's a lot of room for growth here as a Personal TRainer. But I'm studying for the ACSM-CPT right now, because it has become more of a passion than anything else.

I was also thinking of taking the ACSM-HFI certification. But having a Personal Trainer certification here is more recognized.

It's been 10 years since I graduated and I thought that my brain would be a little rusty

But, surprisingly the review is turning out easier than expected. I'm planning to take the exam in November or December or when I feel and know that I'm ready.

WalkingDysfunction · 08-19-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -G-

Hi there! I graduated in 1998, I failed the one time for the boards here and didn't take it again. I worked in the events and sales industry, and got hooked in boxing (as fitness) in 2002. Then put up a Boxing Gym in 2004.

If you're a licensed Physical Therapist here - might as well go some other country if you'll pursue it as a career. I'm doing well here with running a couple of businesses than being employed.

And Personal Trainers do well more here than PT's based here in The Philippines. I know there's a lot of room for growth here as a Personal TRainer. But I'm studying for the ACSM-CPT right now, because it has become more of a passion than anything else.

I was also thinking of taking the ACSM-HFI certification. But having a Personal Trainer certification here is more recognized.

It's been 10 years since I graduated and I thought that my brain would be a little rusty

But, surprisingly the review is turning out easier than expected. I'm planning to take the exam in November or December or when I feel and know that I'm ready.

I guess the supply of PT's in the Philippines is just too abundant that salaries aren't great. I speak to a number of Filipino therapists here and they say the same thing. I'm surprised that being a CPT is that lucrative over there. According to my gf (Filipina), Filipinos do not believe in working out and spend their free time in the mall or eating.

PT and personal training compliment each other very well, so that prior knowledge should help with clients (assuming you didn't forget). PT school gave me a good knowledge base, but I do a lot of learning outside of the school setting. Even though you are not a PT, the continuing education never stops.....hope you pass and spread the idea of fitness over there. What type of clients do you get at your gym? Mothers or single people? Middle Class or Wealthy?

-G- · 08-25-2008, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalkingDysfunction

I guess the supply of PT's in the Philippines is just too abundant that salaries aren't great. I speak to a number of Filipino therapists here and they say the same thing. I'm surprised that being a CPT is that lucrative over there. According to my gf (Filipina), Filipinos do not believe in working out and spend their free time in the mall or eating.

PT and personal training compliment each other very well, so that prior knowledge should help with clients (assuming you didn't forget). PT school gave me a good knowledge base, but I do a lot of learning outside of the school setting. Even though you are not a PT, the continuing education never stops.....hope you pass and spread the idea of fitness over there. What type of clients do you get at your gym? Mothers or single people? Middle Class or Wealthy?

Your GF is right that majority of Filipinos would just eat and go around malls during their freetime... But "Fit Living" is becoming a viable market. A lot are now working out in gyms or on their own to perform better in emerging sport hobbies such as running, rowing, boxing, etc...

And I was worried that I was "forgot" some of my PT education - turns out - it's easier for me to understand the ACSM materials because of my background... But I'm not over confident - I still have a lot to absorb before I take the exam. Hope I pass though.

Most of our clients are middle to upper middle class... Our students/clients ranges from mom's, high school and college students, single's, couple's (married and not), young professionals and we even have a priest that works out there! We don't have an exact "market" in our gym.

WalkingDysfunction · 08-25-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -G-

Your GF is right that majority of Filipinos would just eat and go around malls during their freetime... But "Fit Living" is becoming a viable market. A lot are now working out in gyms or on their own to perform better in emerging sport hobbies such as running, rowing, boxing, etc...

And I was worried that I was "forgot" some of my PT education - turns out - it's easier for me to understand the ACSM materials because of my background... But I'm not over confident - I still have a lot to absorb before I take the exam. Hope I pass though.

Most of our clients are middle to upper middle class... Our students/clients ranges from mom's, high school and college students, single's, couple's (married and not), young professionals and we even have a priest that works out there! We don't have an exact "market" in our gym.

Are there a lot of gyms popping up over there like in the US? It's good to see physical fitness emerging over there. I'm sure you'll pass your exam....think of it this way, it'll be easier than your PT boards. I'm not saying the exam will be a joke or anything, but it will require less studying compared to a PT board exam.