NASM PES CERT

[Gardude]

Is the NASM PES cert worth the $570.00? I want to start training athletes but it's a lot of money. Has anyone taken this exam, is it worth it? Any advice would be great.

[ivey]

In my opinion, no.

[AskTheTrainer]

Originally Posted by Gardude

Is the NASM PES cert worth the $570.00? I want to start training athletes but it's a lot of money. Has anyone taken this exam, is it worth it? Any advice would be great.

You have to look at the benefits.

#1 It never expires: You can get it and not worry about having to do continuing education every couple years and will always have the title PES to your name.

#2 It counts as continuing education for most major certifications. If you already have a certification which is going to expire at some point, the PES will count for continuing ed and at $570 it is expensive, but say you did a seminar for CEUs you could spend upwards of $600

#3 It's easier than the CSCS and doesn't expire.

Make sure you contact wherever you plan to work to see if the PES counts, especially if you are at a performance center, some require the CSCS so don't spend your money until you know for sure.

[seifer822]

I just graduated with my doctorate in physical therapy and let me tell you....this is a certification that is growing and is held in high regards by healthcare profesionals such as athletic trainers, physical therapists, chiropractors and all high level personal trainers.

It's a 100 question online exam and you have 90 minutes; you need a 70% to pass and you have 4 attempts to take it. It was worth my $570 because this is a certification a lot of trainers don't have and it will give you that edge. It is open book, but dont let that fool you; you have to be quick and know your stuff. The study material is very good and it is evidence-based.

I recommend it; if you want to take a look at the course material send me an email at rizvihai@gmail.com; I would be glad to send them to you for you to look at before making the decision. It is a lot of stuff. They also have video demonstrations of some very effective functional-based, multiplanar exercises. But that is only if you register for the course. I couldn't extract the videos, but I have PDF files saved for the 12 chapters. Good luck.

Haider Rizvi, DPT

[VoloInnovations]

There is something to be said for continueing education I have been training for about 12 years and everytime I need to get credits to renew I always pick up something a little different or something that had slipped my mind. We should always be learning and staying abreast of new info. I wouldn't use the no re-cert as a criteria for making a decision.

[Gardude]

Thanks for all the help. I know continuing ed will be helpful. I just wasn't sure how respectable the PES cert was. I have and opportunity to work with some junior pro tennis players and I want to make sure this will help.

[AskTheTrainer]

Originally Posted by Gardude

Thanks for all the help. I know continuing ed will be helpful. I just wasn't sure how respectable the PES cert was. I have and opportunity to work with some junior pro tennis players and I want to make sure this will help.

It really depends who is hiring you. I have heard some professional sports teams require all their staff to have the PES not the CSCS these days.

[ivey]

Originally Posted by AskTheTrainer

It really depends who is hiring you. I have heard some professional sports teams require all their staff to have the PES not the CSCS these days.

That's just ridiculous.

[AskTheTrainer]

Originally Posted by ivey

That's just ridiculous.

I agree it is ridiculous but I remember the CSCS having absolutely nothing about muscle imbalances, functional anatomy, etc. which the NASM certs cover extensively.

I could see why if a head strength coach has philosophy which uses any NASM principles, hiring someone who had a CSCS would literally mean nothing to them.

This has absolutely nothing to do w/ the quality of the NASM-PES or the CSCS cert.

[mightypharaoh]

Originally Posted by AskTheTrainer

It really depends who is hiring you. I have heard some professional sports teams require all their staff to have the PES not the CSCS these days.

I know the Phoenix Suns and Oakland A's have used NASM PES fitness professionals