Hi - I have decided to get my certification for Personal Training and I'm trying to figure out which organization to go through... AFAA, NASM, NSCA ??? Can anyone provide any advice? Thanks so much!

The best certifications are ACSM, NASM, National Health Educators and CSCS, although they are more for sports conditioning. I would not recommend ACE or AFAA.

Good luck.

I am NASM but I would go with NSCA if I had the do over ability. A lot more events provide NSCA CEUs so it would easier to stay current on recertification.

NASM has come a long way and their study materials are much better than they were 5 years ago. I think the National Health Educators study materials are the best I've seen and AFAA's study materials are the worst I've seen. So I guess it really depends on how much you know going into it because if you are really starting out, you may be better off with something like ACE or ISSA.
-OB

I know certain fitness gyms are beginning to go with NASM for their personal training staff. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with NASM, ACSM, or NSCA, though they are certainly the more difficult to prep for without some sort of background to begin with. ACE is certainly a good starter, but have kind of fallen out of the upper eschelon over the past 10 years.

In my time studying Kines in college, I'd say that NASM, NSCA, and ACSM are probably the more respected right now. NASM has been geared more towards functional training in recent years. NSCA has both Personal Fitness Training and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certifications, with the latter geared towards athletics, particularly team sports. ACSM is probably the most reveared in their research, with a good deal of their focus pertaining to special populations and the everlasting fight against fat people.

I'm NASM certified and have been for 8 years. I couldn't be happier.

I worked on the 8 Minute abs series , i am certified with AFAA, NASM, NSCA
PM me if you need help about anyone in particular

Jaime Breknus

If your health does not contain any fitness just take the tips of a personal trainer so log on to

Im seeking some personal feedback on the possibility I have made the wrong decision. I am in my second week at fitness college, and was doing just fine, slowly and methodically untill endurance class.
I have no excuse, but I do feel I stand out in a class of teenagers and 20-somethings who are dedicated sportsMEN (and a couple of women). They allready look and act the part.
I have a ten year old kid and six year old twins. I weigh 64kg and im only just 5foot high. Im unable to quit training now - I worked so hard just to get in the door!!, but im just feeling so much exhaustion and left-behind-ness im worried about it making me depressed. Even the nice kids leave me behind in the dust when it comes to pracs.
Im doing this because i dont have the time to get fit outside of work hours. Im trying to bundle my goals. Money and personal well being. Its just not instant (yeah I know, DUH) but when the kids are little and needy and im cramping and starving (apparently)......
I used to be a gymnast and a horse trainer before kids. I know im capable. I just never had to make up so much time .... and so publicly...... Is it too much? I have a year to finish study. Will I Make It?

yes you will.

I received my certification through ISSA (International sports and Science Association) out of Santa Barbara, CA. I thought the course was great, not especially easy but very detailed. They have a decent website you can check out.

International Sports and Science Association, National Health Educators Certification and American College of Sports Medicine are the best sports med relating credentials out there. You can't go wrong with any of these three if you want to be a stand out trainer.

Definetly ACSM, NASM, National Health Educators and CSCS