okay, I want to be a trainer…
who is the best to get certified thru? i called ISSA today but our gym here goes thru ACE, ISSA seems more structured… is there anyone else that has any better ones? I am s ingle mom on a budget so… any help would be greatly apprecieated… NOt financially but information wise…. duh
October 1, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I can only speak for myself, I was just certified through AFAA. Work paid for it and since I am overseas at the moment, it was my only choice. It re-affirmed a lot of what I already knew, and I got a lot of new knowledge out of it. Something like $65 for the book and $382 for the workshop. After looking at the ISSA and ACE websites, I kind of wish that I could have done it through one of those. Basically the same testing and training info at all 3, but ISSA and ACE look like they both have a more in depth nutrition program for CEC’s (continuing education credits) or CEU’s (continuing education units). ACSM, American College of Sports Medicine also has certifications, but probably more expensive as some of theirs actually have a prereq of completing an AA or BA in a health related field. In my view that kind of indicates higher standards, or more "prestige" if you will.
Not to overload, but something else to look into is the National Board of Fitness Examiners, or NBFE. Formed a few years ago with the intent of making certification testing more "credible" with higher/uniform standards, it is a certification that you take after completing certification from some of the boards that are approved by NBFE. ISSA and AFAA and others are affiliates of the NBFE, ACE is not.
I know that probably wasn’t much help, but a little more info for you to think about.
November 21, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Ive been certified through ACE, AFAA, and Cooper, I am currently certifying through ISSA and I Truly Love them……the support and service they provide is beyond any Ive encountered in my 20+ years in Personal Training!! Let me know who you go with! I would love to help you in any way that I can! And if a gym *says* they only take one cert.. no worry’s once you are already cerified providing you know what your doing they usually make exceptions with what ever cert you hold!! Take Care and enjoy your Thanksgiving!! ~Beth