I have read about many pt cert on this board, but I haven't read anything about AFPA OR IFPA. Does anybody know anything about these certifications.

One more thing...without having a degree in fitness, what is the opinion on the best cert to have?

Thanks a ton!!

i recently got certified through ifpa and wishing i had done more research on certifications.
ifpa is convenient if you don't hve the time to go somewhere and take a test. they send you the test in the mail and you take it when ever you'd like.(anyone can pass! that's why they're not recognized) or you can go to one of their seminars and do the test there. but they don't offer the test in too many states, so you'll have to make a trip out of it.
the material itself is good and i learned a lot from it. but i was also begining and the only other education i had was a human anatomy class i took in college about a month prior.
if you are serious about personal training or any field of education within fitness, but you don't have a degree yet, i'd suggest nasm or ace. these are more recognized within the fitness industry and if you're planning on starting out at a gym, like bally's or 24 hour fitness ace and nasm will help you out a lot more with a job.
i'm just beging in the personal training industry, so i don't know all. but i have been looking around and i'm planning on getting recertified through nasm. try to avoid spending the money on ifpa when you may have to get recert. through another.

hope this helped!

hi, i just know about the IFPA nad i dontrecomend you that certification. you wont get to far with then they are not acreditated.
Try serious companies like ACE for example that their cec are accpeted every were u go
I HAD TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH THE IFPA AND A LOT OF FRINDS OF MINE

If it hasn't been mentioned, that's probably because it isn't recommended There is no "best cert," although some are more widely recognized than others...go with the one that is recognized by the gyms in your area, one that you trust and the one that you fundamentally agree with the most (which will require some researching into their methods and testing requirements). In the end, a cpt cert is a start...you will have to do far more reading, research, and accumulate lots of quality experience before you actually "know" anything...I'm still learning more and more every day, and I've been doing this for nearly ten years now!

True!
There are a lot of bogus certification programs out there and worse still, there are a lot of gyms with trainers holding those bogus certificates!
Here are some of the better; bona-fide certificates: A.C.E., A.C.S.M. and B.S. Dietetics and Nutrition. Other "specialty" certifications like Cooper Clinic, N.D.E.I.T.A. Certified Aerobics Instructor and/or Johnny G. Certified Spinning Instructor are OK too.
I.S.S.A. is a borderline OK certification too.

I'm an A.C.E. certified PT.

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend any of those, either

Really?
So you don't think much of your ACSM-HFI? How so?

have you looked into the NSCA?? Their CPT are sought after quite a bit, and definitely one of the better organizations out there.



Jamie Sylfest, CSCS

I feel that the majority of their recommendations at this point are outdated and are not progressive. Also, with the computer-based testing I'm pretty sure that they've done away with the live practicals, which was a strength of that certification process IMO. I would still look to them for clinical practice certifications (cardiac rehab/exercise physiologists), but definitely not for the cpt. My HFI is still recognized, but I don't plan on renewing it after school. At this point, I'd look at the NASM or the NSCA...

I concur, well stated! The deciding factor on your certification will be what you plan on doing with it. If you are a PT going into private practice get your CSCS. If you plan on entering into a hospital setting or lab, get your ACSM. ACE, NCSF, NASM, NSCA, NFPT,COOPER INST. are all good certs for personal training, just remember you don't have to stop at 1. Diversify yourself and hold multiples. When you stop learning, you start dying!