I posted this in the lounge originally because I wasn't paying attention...my bad.

I know a few of you in here are personal trainers, and I was wondering who I should try and get my certification though.

What do you want to do? Who do you want to focus on?

Well first off, I'd just like to get my general CPT. After that, I'd like to go toward sports nutrition. Really I'm just looking to get my foot in the door first though.

Are you asking which association to go with, or literally where to get it?

Hoss, I think I'm asking which association to go with because I'd like to go with a group that is pretty reputable. I saw there are about a thousand places offering the study materials.

Gym or independent? If gym then call them and see who they recommend.

Independent. I just want this for me. Besides, if I do this to work at a gym at some later point, then at least I will know what to expect.

I see that you are nearby. I'm doing it independently for myself too but at first I wanted to see what gym's in my area would take. I workout at WSC and they take NASM which is what I ended up taking. NASM is very reputable. I also looked at ACE and ISSA.

NASM...I think either the other Tony or Dasha has theirs through NASM as well. I also saw things for ACE as well.

What part of DC you live in?

ACE is cheaper but I don't think it goes into that much detail. A lot of Fitness First trainers have ACE. I'm actually in Chevy Chase I just put DC as a general area.

ACE is cheaper, but less reputed. NASM has become the industry "standard," but you can't go wrong with ACSM or NSCA either as they are pretty well reputed.

Cool...I think I will just go with NASM then.

Hi Tony, I'd recommend NASM for your first CPT, however don't rule out doing more than one. Holding both NASM and ACE CPT certs would be ideal. I'm training clients in Hong Kong at the moment and so far as the top flite gyms here are concerned it is NASM-CPT or the door.

Good luck with it!

Before you make a snap judgement on price or who accepts what, stop! Ask yourself what you feel your ideal client will be. At the base all certs are the same. Anatomy and phys havent changed so they all teach that, but they differentiate themselves on what they focus on with progam design and the specifics of clientele. NASM is more geared towards in depth muscle firing and has a PT basis, NSCA is more strength, speed, athletically based, NCSF and ACSM are more clinical and laboratory based. With that said none is any better than the other after holding many and realizing what I use the most daily I could have saved myself some study time and money.