ExRx.net

I've been having a bit of trouble finding out which programs/certifications are legit. Could anyone point me in the right direction?

I agree with NSCA but I don't know where you're located. If you're in the UK then NSCA won't be recognised by most gyms. Anywhere else in the world, it's probably the best you can get. I believe the top 3 are NSCA, NASM, ACSM. I got NASM. In the UK the top one's are really NASM, YMCA, ACSM. Most gyms here go by REPs guidelines and they don't recognise NSCA (bit of a joke, really, but what can you do....)

Best to find out where you're likely going to try and work and see what certifications they want you to have. My first choice was NSCA until I discovered that the UK is kinda screwed up and don't really recognise it.

KPj

So, if I want to study to take the NSCA CPT exam, what is the best way to study for it? I notice that they cost of their textbook is outlandish.

Buy it used for sure. (Try Amazon or UsedTextbooks.net, etc)
Although I'm not certified, I do own the book. It's not that great. But I suppose you'll need to read it for the right frame of reference for the tests.

As most students know, most textbooks are in that price range. The smaller the market size, the higher the price.

Haffy,

Price of Text Books

This site provide you with a shopping list of personal training organizations. http://askthetrainer.com/personal-trainer-books.html

The price of textbooks varies from about $40 to $70 (NSCA Testbook).

I am certified with the NSCA. Thus, I have the book.

The book is an excellent piece of work, meaning it is a good investment in your education. I would not catagories it as being outlandish.

The NSCA Textbook runs about the same price or less than a college textbook, as Stu noted.

I also have the ACE Textbook and ISSA Textbook. As a matter of fact, I have a fairly extensive library of textbooks on training.

A Cheaper Source

As bam stated, used is a bit cheaper. You local library may have it or be able to transfer one of the textbooks in from another library.

Personal Training Certifications.

1. ACSM - American College Of Sports Medicine
Health and Fitness Instructor
-ACSM Exercise Specialist
-ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist

The ASCM rates as one of the two top organizatins (in my opinion) of personal training certifications.

ASCM is a more health driven organization.

2. NSCA - National Strength And Conditioning Association
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT)

The NSCA is one of the top two personal training certifications (again in my view). My certrification is with CSCS (Cerrified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) is with the NSCA.

The NSCA is more sports performace oriented. The CSCS is the certification most strength coaches have.

3. ACE - American Council On Exercise
-Group Fitness Instructor Certification
-Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant Certification
-Clinical Exercise Specialist Certification
-Specialty Certification - Peer Fitness Trainer Certification Program

ACE is a good organization.

4) ISSA - International Sports Science Association
-Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT)

The ISSA test is an open book online test. Testing protocols of this nature dampen it's credibiltiy.

5. NASM - National Academy Of Sports Medicine
Performance Enhancement Specialist

The NASM is NOT one that I would recommend. It a bit of a "Cult" with some strange views on training.

Exam Fee

The cost of taking one of the personal training certification test is around $275.

Continueing Education Units

EVERY reputable personal training organization requires you earn Continueing Education Units.

The NSCA requires you have 60 hours of Continueing Education in a three year period.

ACE requires you have 20 hours of Continueing Education in a two year period.

That means at some point, you going to have to spend money on classes for Continueing Education Units.

I spend a little over $100 a year in obtaining Continueing Education Units. A $100 a year is very cheap!

The Personality of Personal Training Organizations

Each organization has a different focus, personality.

The NSCA is a very sports driven organization. The NSCA's focus is on how to make athletes faster and stronger.

Thus, the NSCA fits my who I am, my personal interest.

Which Tribe is right for YOU?

1) Determine what your interest are.

2) Then find the personal training organization that best addresses YOU.

Kenny Croxdale

Sticky? Solid gold right here.

Any textbook under $100 is cheap! $70 is nothin'! 30 years ago, I thought of any textbook that was over $200 was expensive, but maybe medical school isn't a fair comparison.

Yah, it's actually not that expensive. I was looking at the packages they offer on the website and not the individual books. One was like 850 if you're not a memeber -_-. I think the most I spent on textbooks in college was $500ish a semester. I saw the CSCA certification and liked the looks of it, however I am a few credits short of being a senior in college and am not currently enrolled.

I really appreciate all the information given here. I like the looks of the NSCA CPT and will start studying for that as soon as I can. I live near Aspen so I'm thinking that personal training out here could be really lucrative, plus I spend most of my time reading about fitness and training.

Thanks again.

True. My exercise physiology books are approx. 50 quid which I don't think is too outrageous at all. Many of my law mates pay hundreds for alll theirs. I tend to get most things electronically though, the good thing about science is the huge volume of journals available, being a student. Pubmed