US certification vs UK certification?

[BritLad]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone is familar enough with both the US certifictions and the UK certification (In the UK, a Personal Trainer is REPS level 3) to know how they compare?

I know that the UK cert aren't recognised in the US, but I'm curious to as how much they differ? Do they cover similar subject areas and/or is the UK cert similar to any of the various US certs?

[BritLad]

No comments? Okay, perhaps if I tell you guys what the UK course covers, maybe you can tell me how this compares to the course work for the various US certifications.

The qualification I am planning to go for is a 'Certificate in Personal Training'. I will be doing mine with a company called Premier Global, they are not the certifying body, but a training company. I'm planning to do the course as a full time course, which is Mon - Fri 8:30- 5:30 for 4 weeks and 4 days. I think most Level 3 (Personal trainer is level 3) UK courses cover similar elements, my particular course lists the following areas:

• Introduction to Personal Training
• Advanced anatomy and physiology
• Health and fitness appraisal
• Fitness testing for power, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility
• Core training and programme design Nutritional advice for physical activity Communication & motivation
• Personal training outside the gym
• Special populations: obesity, diabetes, asthma and orthopaedic conditions
• Consultation and business skills

They also offer a part-time/home study course, and provide training DVD for the home study element, the DVD contents are as follows .. I've included this as it my given an indication of what the above topic areas breakdown to include.

Anatomy and Physiology

• Skeletal system
• Neuromuscular system
• Neuroendocrine system
• Cardiorespiratory system
• Energy systems

Communication and Business Skills

• Introduction to personal training
• Effective communication
• Developing motivational strategies
• Developing professional relationships
• Consultation & business skills

Health and Fitness Appraisal

• Lifestyle analysis
• Stress management
• Blood pressure testing
• Body composition
• Lung function
• Special considerations: obesity, diabetes, asthma, smoking and alcohol

Programme Design

• Aerobic exercise
• Muscular endurance and hypertrophy
• Strength and power
• Strength training for females
• Core training, periodisation & exercise techniques

Nutritional Advice for Physical Activity

• Introduction to nutrition
• Nutrition for exercise
• Digestion & weight management
• Food ethics: food labelling and additives

I would really appreciate some feedback on how people feel this compares to the contents/course work for the likes of ACSM, NSCA, ACE, and NASM.