I've been debating training certification for a few months now. I do not like the idea of receiving materials in the mail and memorizing them for a test (like I've seen with ACE and NASM) or a 2-5 day crash course (Too much information at once) I don't see any value in this for me.
A trainer at my gym recommended WITS (World Instructor Training School). They offer a program through a local community college (and also give college credits). It includes 15 hours of classroom lecture and 15 hours of hands on in a gym. Having an instructor there so I can ask questions and learn from other people in the class is what attracted me most.
A friend of mine battled me with my choice b/c she had never heard of WITS and said most gyms like ACE instead. I don't think she got my point - I want to learn for myself and so I can help others and eventually train clients part-time. And If I need another cert to get a job, so be it, then I'll have something else under my belt first.
There's my ramble, and here's my question. I was wondering if anyone else is certified in WITS and can vouch for the program? Or is there another program out there that offers weekly classroom style training/cert?
Hi Jess,
I actually teach for WITS here in Connecticut. I have been on their faculty for the last 5 years and I can tell you that one of the attractive points in their program is the accessibility to a professional (within classroom setting). Students learn through lectures and practicals that teach proper assessments, flexibility, exercise instruction, warm-up, and proper client rapport.
Each time I teach a course, the student ALWAYS raise the same concerns as yourself:
"No one has ever heard of WITS"
The truth is they are correct. WITS is a relatively small certification organization that uses community colleges as a platform to offer the course. The course uses the ACSM HFI Textbook 2nd. ed. (in the past we used the ACE) and covers alot of material in a very short time (5 weeks). I think the number 1 complaint I often hear from students is the amount of info is overwhelming in the time-frame that students get.
With that said, a couple of personal opinions:
Most WITS students are 99% new to fitness and realize that they want to change careers (into fitness) I think this is a big obstacle for most with the overload of info. (We cover everything from ATP production-to PNF stretching-to sliding filament theory).
Most clubs do not know of WITS because WITS does not spend alot of money on marketing. I think WITS depends solely on the "community college branding", which IMO, can be a bit deceptive. Just because it is offered at a community college, does not mean it is a high standard cert. HOWEVER...if you are relatively new to the field, it is an appropriate cert. to pursue.
I should also note that WITS also requires a 20 hour internship to complete the cert process, which I do not know if that is offered by anyone else. This is also a positive for newbies. Again, the course is only as effective as the instructor teaching it. SO I recommend you ask plenty of questions and try it out.
Thanks John - very helpful! I think WITS will sounds like a good foundation. I'm not looking to change careers (yet), but I want that option for the future.
What kind of affiliation does WITS have with ACE, if any?
I took the WITS certification course here, this past February. I am finishing my internship right now. What attracted me to it, was the face to face classes and hands on learning. I have really enjoyed my internship, too.
Anyways, I think you will enjoy it. We had a couple of great instructors.
I don't even know if I am going to do anything with it, but I enjoy fitness and learning as much as I can for personal reasons, that it was a good match for me.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
I think the #1 compliment the course gets is the fact that the students (who come from all walks of life) get to actually sit in a class and learn from an experienced professional. Whether they pursue a career in personal training or not, the end result is learning more about fitness through a reciprocal communicative environment.
I think you are right about the information overload on a 5 day course.
I teach a CPT course which is 6 days. I prefer to spread it out for the students so we do it once a week on Sundays for 6 weeks. This also means the already existing trainer does not have to lose money on hours not being able to train clients.
I took the WITS class and thought it was very well done and I learned quite a bit. I also come from a non-fitness background and mainly took the class for my own benefit, but found that I really enjoyed it and might become a trainer part-time. We'll see, but it really is worthwhile. I haven't done the internship yet, but hope to by the end of the year.
Not piper but I'll tell you how mine worked. It was pretty much up to us to get it set up. The instructors I had knew which places did the internships and which didn't. Our classes were held at OSU's facility and they offered internships there. I was going to go there, but decided to ask my gym if they would work with me there and they did.
I never had my own clients, though and I think that is what the last 5 hours are. I was still with a trainer.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
Most WITS instructors recommended fitness facilities in your area that accept interns (if they familiar with your area). I know in CT, I know a list of gyms that accept WITS interns simply based on feedback from students over the years. However, there may be some smaller facilities that will accept you and WITS will approve, as long as it falls in line with WITS requirements. If your instructor does not know, give WITS a call or simply google fitness facilities, physical therapy facilities ( you can be an aide), YMCAs, chiropractic offices, personal training studios, or independent contractors.
Yes - searching for an internship. My time is somewhat limited since I already work a full-time job, but I'm working on it.
That was the problem I had and I ended up never doing the internship. I was working longer hours at my job and was traveling and I just never had the time.
I have an interview next week. To me, it doesn't matter how long it takes to complete the internship, as long as its a good learning experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by piper
That was the problem I had and I ended up never doing the internship. I was working longer hours at my job and was traveling and I just never had the time.
Yes it does matter how long it takes to do your internship, they use the date of when you passed the test as your start date. So the time it takes you to do your intership it takes away from the two year certification before you have to do your CEC and your renewal fees. I hope you have them done by now.
Wow, I wish I had seen this thread before I went with ACE. It sounds like something I would really enjoy and most importantly, learn what I need to learn about training. I looked at the website and I may pursue it--although I have to call them to get any info on my area it appears.
But, boy, that website! The Aoife would prolly have to change her pants after looking at it. And not in a good way.
It is a really bad website! I really did love the course though, to be honest. I loved the face to face and mine was held at OSU's campus with really good instructors.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
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