ACSM Health Fitness Specialist Test

Penny1015 · 03-24-2009, 02:53 PM

Hello,

I didn't know if there were any certified ACSM HFS on this site.

I am a certified ACSM CPT and Registered Dietitian. I have started studying for the ACSM HFS test. I am interested in any tips on what to concentrate on for the test. I have the ACSM's Guidelines For Exercise Testing and Prescription, 7th ed. I am reviewing the ACSM HFS KSA's.

Thanks for your help.

Penny

Jean-Paul · 03-29-2009, 05:07 PM

Is there a reason you want to do the ACSM versus something like NSCA/CSCS?

I don't find the "guidelines" to be all that practical, but then again, I never worked in a clinical setting, which it appears that you do.

Did you take the sample test? If so, how did you do?

Penny1015 · 04-04-2009, 06:54 AM

I decided on ACSM because I was most familiar with this organization.

I have been fortunate to work with different populations through my career as a dietitian. Recently, I worked at a facility that specialized in bariatric surgery. At this location, there was no input on exercise. I was asked questions on the type of exercise to do. So I decided to obtain certification as a personal trainer.

Now I am pursuing the ACSM HFS certification. My goal is to work in the home as a exercise and nutrition educator with populations that are healthy and especially those with medically controlled diseases.

I may pursue the CSCS certification next.

Hook · 04-29-2009, 12:02 AM

Hello, I was just surfing around the site looking about what people had to say about the ACSM- HFS and CPT and wanted to see what others have to say about it.

I am a NSCA-CSCS and believe its one of the best in the business, but I have no other tests/certification to compare it to? ( I may be a little bias ) and I agree it is a "Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist" so it does concentrate on working with athletes! (Strength, Power, Speed, Agility, Plyo work...etc) so you must know a ton more than just what muscles vs. exercises...etc

The thing is I am looking to add another good certification to help me more with the general population, and maybe post rehabilitation (for the injured athletes) and was thinking about sitting for the ACSM-Certified Personal Trainer or the ACSM-Health Fitness Specialist, not really sure what one, but was leaning towards the “Health Fitness Specialist”, its looks a little more in-depth? Nothing against the CPT, but it seems basic??

SO, question for JP (or anyone that may have an option about this) why not the ACSM and if so, wich one would be best....or others??

StrengthCoach · 04-29-2009, 08:16 PM

I got both the ACSM HFS, and my CSCS a few years ago when I got out of college. The HFS is much more clinical based, so if you're interested in taking blood pressures, rpe, caliper body fat testing and graded exercise testing for clients, I would recomend going with ACSM. Honestly, I got recertified with the CSCS, but am probably going to drop the HFS, just because I hardly used any of the clinical info since I got it. Another thing to look into is the CEC's needed for recertification, I've been doing CEC's for the last few years and most of them applied to my CSCS, however ACSM is really strict on what they will accept. To finish off my recert for my CSCS it ran me about 100.00, to recertify in ACSM, it would cost me between 400.00-600.00, which is more than the test cost in the first place. It's just not worth it to me.

StrengthCoach · 04-29-2009, 08:18 PM

NASM seems to be getting better and better each year, they even just started a masters program. You might want to look into them as well.

Hook · 05-03-2009, 09:16 PM

SC...thanks for the info, I never thought about the CEC's needed for ACSM recertification. For the NSCA-CSCS I just go to the yearly conference in Las Vegas, makes it a lot easier on the wallet being that I live in the city of sin.

I have also been looking into the NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist, and have noticed that they have added a Masters program that is affiliated with CALU.