I am looking at all the fitness certifications out there and I am rather confused as to which one is actually one to pursue.

I have seen ACE, NASM, ACSM, NSCA, ISSA, NCSF, etc can any one give me some idea as to which one or which ones would be best to pursue?

Thanks
T

You will find that everyone has their own oppinion. Do a search on "certification" and you will have plenty of reading.

What up SWCMT,

Search “Starting a Personal Training Business” in Google.

Click on the first result.

On the left-hand side of the first page, click on “Cert Comparison” under Popular Pages.

You get a comparison chart with links, prices, prerequisites, etc., along with discussion boards devoted to each program on the hyperlink contained within the chart. Please note the first chart has a mix of Accredited and Non-Accredited programs. You can find separate breakdowns above the main chart.

Hope this helps.

Take care and good luck!

Thanks that helps

Yes that does help, Thank You

Starting a personal training business.com is a joke. The owner, "Katie" is not a real person. That picture is stolen off another website and the real owner is some pervert guy that isn't supposed to be online. Just look at it, it totally sucks.

Don't waste your time, any even more importantly, your money on any of their "prep" kits.

NASM no question

NASM is good, but it really doesn't matter. Once you get one, that's when the real learning begins.

I just got certified with NASM. I like it because the program was written by a physical therapist, show it shows you ways to help beginner clients with back problems, and weak joints. Of course, that is just my experience. I am aware that there are many other great certs out there.

Brianna
witnessforfitness

The best certification program is the one you can afford and the one that offers exam dates that meet your needs. Once you get the certification, it is all on you on how well your advice is received, because your clients will have never heard of NASM.

If you go to someone and tell them you graduated from Harvard, we all know what that implies. However, go tell your mom that you are NASM certified and she won't have a clue as to what you are talking about. Point being... the certification means nothing in the real word. It's just a way for people who never attended and finished college to feel accomplished. It's also an easy way to obtain professional liability insurance.

Best line! I'm NASM CPT, CES, PES personally bc that's what my gym asked for. However there are plenty of NASM CPT's that are lousy coaching poor form, poor progressions etc. The cert gets you in the door. After that it's best to look at a variety of certs, seminars, speakers etc. Take what works from each and apply it.

while I'm NASM certified I have issue with the programs being written by a PT. Telling someone who is 50-60lbs overweight that balancing on one leg is good for weight loss isn't going to cut it. I do believe in SET (stab.training) but wouldn't spend 4 weeks of a program on it.

To the original poster where are you going to be doing your training? At home? Gym? Outdoors? Each may require something different.

NASM was a lot better before they turned into a business. Once they starting watching the bottom line, and had to hook up with 24 Hour, they became more like ACE... generic. Now everyone is NASM certified. Total shame.