Different trainer certifications

**bethdoth** · 10-22-2018, 09:30 AM

I am retiring in 3 years (for the second time) and want to do something different that I enjoy part time in retirement. So I thought I would get certified as a trainer and give it a shot. What do people feel is the best certification to get?
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)
American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA)

Or does it really not matter and it's just a piece of paper?

**tarmyg** · 10-22-2018, 09:33 AM

Great choice.

The only two you need, in my opinion, is NASM and Precision Nutrition (Pn1). You got those two, especially the Pn1 you will be all set.

**GearHeaded** · 10-22-2018, 10:11 AM

first find out if the state that you live in requires you to be certified from an 'accredited' institution and make sure the institution you pick is one of those. you'd hate to get certified from one place, just to find out when you go to register with your state they don't accept it.

also keep in mind that some certification programs are awesome and you will learn a ton and become an asset to your clients BUT that certification on 'paper' may be completely worthless.
an example would be any nutrition certification, e.g., the Precision Nutrition cert that Tarmyg brought up.. its an awesome certification to have for yourself, but more then likely the state you live in is not going to recognize it for anything and will not allow you to practice 'nutrition consulting' without being an actual licensed nutritionists . NOT only that, but the actual personal training certification that you sign up for may also have you sign paperwork , in order to get your cert, that you accept their values and you will not practice any 'nutrition' consulting as one of their trainers unless your also licensed in your state as a nutritionist. (basically personal trainers are not allowed to get paid for nutrition consulting unless they are also a licensed nutritionist).

thats why 'nutrition certifications' are for personal growth and personal education only and will not advance your career on 'paper'.

NOTE: becoming a licensed nutritionist requires a 4 year degree in nutrition. then an internship. and then a final exam to pass in order to become licensed.

and again, keep in mind that most accredited personal training institutions instruct you NOT to consult on nutrition unless your a licensed nutritionist on top of being a trainer. doing so can be considered a 'breach' of their core values and result in a denial of your certification (highly unlikely they are ever gong to know what you consult to clients though).

AND also keep in mind, a lot of States have no requirements at all to work as a personal trainer. all you need is a business license an no training cert what-so-ever.
IF your gong to work at a gym though, they will require a cert more then likely.

I own a gym. I'm the head trainer, and anyone that works for me as a trainer I require to be certified. the personal training cert, CPR cert, and they have to have a business license with the state as well as have their own liability insurance (if they hurt their own client while training them, then thats on them, not on me or my gym).

so first things first. find out the regulations in the state you live in. find out what institutions are accredited and accepted. and go from there.
and don't waste your time with nutrition certifications unless its merely for self improvement (as you'll unlikely be unable to use the cert in a formal business setting or advancement of your career being you'll likely not be allowed to 'formally' get paid for nutrition consulting) .

having said all that -- I'm a libertarian and not a big advocate for 'rules and regulations'. I do my own thing based on what I've learned over my years of educating myself. years back when I took my training cert course I felt it was a total waste of time, and thought I knew 10x more then the people who wrote the course. I've never once had a client ask about my certification and where I got it from , but I've always been 'independent ' and never worked as a trainer for a corporate gym. people hire me for ME , not for my 'ace' certification. keep that in mind

**kelkel** · 10-22-2018, 10:14 AM

Great diatribe GH.

**tarmyg** · 10-22-2018, 10:28 AM

Great write-up GH.

In regards to Pn1, most people with Pn certification do not work on "nutrition" but help people as life coaches or advise them on weightloss without talking about anything that an actual Nutritionist would talk about. This is, I think, one of the most common question in their Facebook group

**GearHeaded** · 10-22-2018, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by tarmyg

Great write-up GH.

In regards to Pn1, most people with Pn certification do not work on "nutrition" but help people as life coaches or advise them on weightloss without talking about anything that an actual Nutritionist would talk about. This is, I think, one of the most common question in their Facebook group

yeah 100% agree here. the more you know about nutrition as a trainer the better off you'll be for yourself and your clients. Pn certification is only going to help make you better and an asset.

my point was only that it can't be used 'formally' , you can't use it to get a job, can't use it for any state licensing, etc.. its more of a personal enrichment thing, which ultimately is all that matters really (to help yourself and your clients) . BUT the 'State' has rules and personal enrichment is something they don't care about.

so really the fast track to an actual 'job' as a trainer, is to follow the 'states' rules and requirements and follow those certifications first and foremost, or follow a potential employers requirements.

**bethdoth** · 10-23-2018, 06:59 AM

At this point I am just checking into it. It appears the requirements for my state are pretty lenient and our state university offers some online courses for NASM cert. I don't know if being a PT would be the answer to keep me busy in retirement? The problem may be that I live in the north and plan to be a snow bird, so I would disappear for 3-4 month out of the year. Can't just abandon clients for that long every year?