Personal Training Certs

[Panzerfaust]

Just got in from the gym, spoke with a trainer. He said he has a degree in nutrition and is APEX certified (24hr fitness cert) and is looking at NASM.

I told him i was more than likely leaning toward NASM or ISSA. He pointed out one trainer and said that the guy does not have anything at all, no degree and no certs, he simply filled out the application and came in and interviewed with the head trainer, said he gave a good interview and he got hired.

I really want to pursue this, so i will be filling out an application online and then call in to the gym and ask to speak with this trainer and try to get an interview.

My question is this, what can i expect in this interview? Has anyone gone through this kind of situation? I would like to give a good interview and i do realise i have alot to learn...just don't wanna walk into the interview clueless.

Any tips would kick ass...

[SVTMuscle*]

I really want to pursue this, so i will be filling out an application online and then call in to the gym and ask to speak with this trainer and try to get an interview.

My question is this, what can i expect in this interview? Has anyone gone through this kind of situation? I would like to give a good interview and i do realise i have alot to learn...just don't wanna walk into the interview clueless.

Any tips would kick ass...

I'm like the guy who has no certification or anything, I just got lucky my knowing the owner and the ownder knowing that I know my stuff.

As far as the interview goes, I think it would be based on questions like how you would train particular people and situations and maybe some legal questions. That is my perception of it. But who knows, maybe it will be a regular interview where he just asks about your backroung/expeirence with fitness.
But remember, not everyone trains like bodybuilders do

[Panzerfaust]

I'm like the guy who has no certification or anything, I just got lucky my knowing the owner and the ownder knowing that I know my stuff.

As far as the interview goes, I think it would be based on questions like how you would train particular people and situations and maybe some legal questions. That is my perception of it. But who knows, maybe it will be a regular interview where he just asks about your backroung/expeirence with fitness.
But remember, not everyone trains like bodybuilders do

Thanks, i guess it is a good thing that i am not a body builder.

I am just wondering where he will come from...like i said i don't wanna look or sound like an idiot, i am half ass knowledgable but still would like some advice if anyboy has literally been in this position before.

[Ejuicer]

Thanks, i guess it is a good thing that i am not a body builder.

I am just wondering where he will come from...like i said i don't wanna look or sound like an idiot, i am half ass knowledgable but still would like some advice if anyboy has literally been in this position before.

Coming from the side of the person that does the interviews, you'll more or less be asked about your exercise/nutritional background. You'll be expected to know advanced training techniques and basically show us that you'll knowledgable enough that the piece of paper wouldn't make a difference. In that situation we have hired trainers without certification, however they are expected to get fully certified within 6 months of employment. For someone to get my consideration they basically have to be up to par with my knowledge or actually show me up with theirs.

[Panzerfaust]

Coming from the side of the person that does the interviews, you'll more or less be asked about your exercise/nutritional background. You'll be expected to know advanced training techniques and basically show us that you'll knowledgable enough that the piece of paper wouldn't make a difference. In that situation we have hired trainers without certification, however they are expected to get fully certified within 6 months of employment. For someone to get my consideration they basically have to be up to par with my knowledge or actually show me up with theirs.

I guess i better start studying and get my NASM then...not sure exactly what to say to that.

[gritt]

I work for a large corporate fitness equipment company and ISSA is what all of our trainers go with. They train pro's for football, baseball etc so it must hold some water. I am not one but have been impressed the caliber of the one's in our company. All have been olympic medalist and or pro players in various sports.

[Panzerfaust]

Just got a call from ISSA, they left me a voice message (was at the gym). ISSA package is $595

I cannot make up my mind which i wanna do, NASM or ISSA...fark

[G-1000]

I just got the info pack from Issa. I have the one from Nasm comming in the mail. I have called them 3 times and no one has called back yet.

As for Issa if we just call the same guy i spoke with he will give the discount. I will get that info up soon.

When are you guys looking to get started on this?

[lil'Taylor]

I just got the info pack from Issa. I have the one from Nasm comming in the mail. I have called them 3 times and no one has called back yet.

As for Issa if we just call the same guy i spoke with he will give the discount. I will get that info up soon.

When are you guys looking to get started on this?

Hey, I just kind of stubbled onto this thread now.. Webb (a mod. here) and I have been discussing this all lately... can you tell me how to get ahold of ISSA.. and some general information.. you can pm me or webb... thanks!

[max2extreme]

just an fyi if you havnt done anything yet. NASM is VERY medically oriented. I was surprised at how much medical. probably 85%-90%. Its all great info. And im glad i started with NASM, but if you are thinking about working at your local gym, I dont think NASM is the best for that situation to get first. It is a GREAT cert and great info, but its pretty tough and has a lot of info you would more than likely forget if you were working in a local gym with healthy people. I think it may be best to start with something more geared to normal healthy people at first, since thats who you will be mostly talking to, then for your 2nd or so get the nasm. this is just my opinion though.

dont let me discourage you from nasm. its great. just may not fit for what you want right now, or it may. just letting you know about it.

also if you are in texas, check out the cooper institute.. very good. and the california univ of pa has an all online Health Science and Sport Studies BS track in Wellness and fitness.

Good luck with your decision.

[IronFreakX]

https://www.issaonline.com

[lil'Taylor]

nice.. thanks man

[Panzerfaust]

I have a background in the medical field and will be going with the NASM.

I should be getting a response from them shortly...i wanna go to their OPT workshop, there is alot of hands on instruction and i think it would benefit me being a new comer to the world of PT.

It would really depend on the price of the ISSA for me to choose it right now...NASM is alot bigger in my area and like mentioned before, that has alot to do with what cert you should go with.

[THE_DOME]

http://www.nasm.org/Certification/cptregister.aspx

which package did you go with? are you satisfied with the material, overwhealmed how long to you ahve after you get your info to take the test is there a time frame?

[THE_DOME]

http://www.nasm.org/Certification/cptregister.aspx

which package did you go with? are you satisfied with the material, overwhealmed how long to you ahve after you get your info to take the test is there a time frame?

bump

[gixxerboy1]

I was a trainer for a bit and also managed a gym. If your just starting out i would get the easiest cheapest cert you can that the gym will accept.
A better cert doesn't always make a better trainer. Some people are very book smart and great at taking test but cant apply the knowledge. I also seen great trainers that fail under the pressure of the test.

Personally i would never be a trainer again. I get asked all the time to train people and i say no.

If your not going to work in a gym its hard to get clients to start.

A suggestion which i seen work. Is to go to fitness specialty stores. Work out an agreement with the store. They recommend you. You give their customers a free evaluation to get your foot in the door with them . Maybe throw the employees of the store a kick back for every package you sell from their lead.