Comments on: THE ALL-OUT FUROR ON “HOW TO CHOSE A PERSONAL TRAINER” RAGES ON!!! The Debate On Personal Training Credentials Just Doesn’t Stop … http://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/ Share the Latest Fitness Marketing, Personal Trainer Marketing and Boot Camp Marketing With Others in the Industry. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:54:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Danielhttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-38864 Daniel Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:23:55 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-38864 I found this article very informative. I am just starting out in the personal training business. I was debating on either going to a gym or going independent doing small groups or fitness bootcamps. I've been a bit hesitant about the gym and looking towards the small groups/bootcamps. Any advice? Thanks I found this article very informative. I am just starting out in the personal training business. I was debating on either going to a gym or going independent doing small groups or fitness bootcamps. I’ve been a bit hesitant about the gym and looking towards the small groups/bootcamps. Any advice? Thanks

]]> By: Ottohttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-11752 Otto Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:12:17 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-11752 I agree with many especially George Pragovich . Even I am certified people don't really know nothing about these. what i tell people is the same phisophy he expressed "Let me train you once. If you don’t like it, we part as friends. Many still to judge you base on credentials but it all goes down to your passion for this business. I am a novice independent trainer and I agree with Kaiser when he says that you have to mix to find your "sweet spot". Overall the ones who succeed are not the fastets but the one who continues ona steady stride testing what it takes to make it big. I agree with many especially George Pragovich . Even I am certified people don’t really know nothing about these. what i tell people is the same phisophy he expressed “Let me train you once. If you don’t like it, we part as friends. Many still to judge you base on credentials but it all goes down to your passion for this business. I am a novice independent trainer and I agree with Kaiser when he says that you have to mix to find your “sweet spot”. Overall the ones who succeed are not the fastets but the one who continues ona steady stride testing what it takes to make it big.

]]> By: Georgehttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-2485 George Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:21:11 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-2485 I liked your article. I have been training people longer than most trainers have been alive, 32 years. My specialty is cancer, heart disease, polio, etc. patients right along with the average person who wants to become fit. Am I certified, No! When I started training there were no certifications, only gym teachers. My degree is in Psychology. As you do, I train trainers. I will never get certified because I find most of these folks no nothing about training other than what they read in some book! Am I harsh about this? You bet! Some of the organizations are in bed with the government. I read there manuels to see what they are up to, but one way or another they disappoint me. There are plenty of credentials, but as you say, that doesn't mean you know anything about personal training. If you don't know how to relate to people you can have all the credential you want and you won't be training anyone. It's real simple with me. Let me train you once. If you don't like it, we part as friends. I have yet had anyone say good bye. And the certification never comes up again. Once again, good article! Oh, by the way, you are right. I wouldn'y have gym trainers train my pets! George Pragovich Cancer Recovery and Fitness Specialist gkp@charter.net I liked your article. I have been training people longer than most trainers have been alive, 32 years. My specialty is cancer, heart disease, polio, etc. patients right along with the average person who wants to become fit. Am I certified, No! When I started training there were no certifications, only gym teachers. My degree is in Psychology. As you do, I train trainers. I will never get certified because I find most of these folks no nothing about training other than what they read in some book! Am I harsh about this? You bet! Some of the organizations are in bed with the government. I read there manuels to see what they are up to, but one way or another they disappoint me. There are plenty of credentials, but as you say, that doesn’t mean you know anything about personal training. If you don’t know how to relate to people you can have all the credential you want and you won’t be training anyone. It’s real simple with me. Let me train you once. If you don’t like it, we part as friends. I have yet had anyone say good bye. And the certification never comes up again. Once again, good article! Oh, by the way, you are right. I wouldn’y have gym trainers train my pets!

George Pragovich
Cancer Recovery and Fitness Specialist
gkp@charter.net

]]> By: Somagenesis San Diego Personal Trainerhttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-1204 Somagenesis San Diego Personal Trainer Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:14:43 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-1204 I am a firm advocate of ACSM as a better learning module than all the rest. It is the first Gold Standard certification in America. Pass rate is 65% of all takers for the CPT level. Advance levels much more difficult. I have taken all the accredited certs out there. However this will give you the baseline knowledge you need to make it in the industry. As Kaiser said, the rest is learned through trial and error and tincture of time in the industry. I am a firm advocate of ACSM as a better learning module than all the rest. It is the first Gold Standard certification in America. Pass rate is 65% of all takers for the CPT level. Advance levels much more difficult. I have taken all the accredited certs out there.

However this will give you the baseline knowledge you need to make it in the industry. As Kaiser said, the rest is learned through trial and error and tincture of time in the industry.

]]> By: Kaiserhttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-1188 Kaiser Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:42:14 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-1188 Hi Evilyn - I'm not a believer in a certification being able to shape you as a trainer - no client knows anything about them, so none of them gives you a marketing edge either - A lot of your practice and who you are as a trainer comes down completely to you, your experience, knowledge, and interests - start building these now - get yourself back in shape, train friends for testimonials, and develop a strong, commanding professional style and demeanor - The certs are of course needed, and rack them up for credibility over time, but in terms of picking one of the other, it doesn't really matter - like you said, they're both well known and nationally accepted - some employers may have a preference, but when it comes down to it I think your goal should be to go independent - Let me know if you need any more help - Hi Evilyn –
I’m not a believer in a certification being able to shape you
as a trainer – no client knows anything about them, so none
of them gives you a marketing edge either –

A lot of your practice and who you are as a trainer comes
down completely to you, your experience, knowledge,
and interests – start building these now – get yourself back in shape, train friends for testimonials, and develop a strong, commanding professional style and demeanor –

The certs are of course needed, and rack them up for
credibility over time, but in terms of picking one of the other,
it doesn’t really matter – like you said, they’re both
well known and nationally accepted – some employers may
have a preference, but when it comes down to it I think
your goal should be to go independent –

Let me know if you need any more help -

]]> By: Evilyn Yevahttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-1186 Evilyn Yeva Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:51:39 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-1186 Hi Kaiser, Okay so I read the whole post and comments and I am still unsettled. You see as a beginner I am torn, the only person I ever trained was myself and I have been out of shape for about a year now because of a back/knee injury & because I let myself slide...that was my mistake, anyway my question is this: At the moment I'm doing research to see which certification I want to acquire. I was hoping to get some direction from you. I am torn between NASM & ACSM. They both seems nationally accepted, but I still don't know their philosophies 100%. What is your take on these two entities? Would you have any other recommendations? Thank you for your time and help, Evilyn Hi Kaiser,

Okay so I read the whole post and comments and I am still unsettled. You see as a beginner I am torn, the only person I ever trained was myself and I have been out of shape for about a year now because of a back/knee injury & because I let myself slide…that was my mistake, anyway my question is this:
At the moment I’m doing research to see which certification I want to acquire. I was hoping to get some direction from you. I am torn between NASM & ACSM. They both seems nationally accepted, but I still don’t know their philosophies 100%.

What is your take on these two entities?
Would you have any other recommendations?

Thank you for your time and help,

Evilyn

]]> By: Kaiserhttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-1168 Kaiser Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:22:14 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-1168 Hey Jay - yeah that's exactly what I was responding to, and this site fortunately gives me a bully pulpit - There's a real difference between what the average frustrated trainer thinks, and what the trainer that's really succeeding understands about this profession - Hey Jay – yeah that’s exactly what I was responding to, and this site fortunately gives me a bully pulpit –

There’s a real difference between what the average frustrated trainer thinks, and what the trainer that’s really succeeding understands about this profession -

]]> By: Jay Scotthttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-1167 Jay Scott Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:58:40 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-1167 I posted something similar to this over at a certain PT forum and got absolutely flamed. I said that a trainer should "look like they work out." People started going off about how it doesnt matter if you are in shape if you know how to get others in shape. I replied that you dont have to look like sylvester stallone but you need to look like you enjoy and live fitness. I also gave the stipulation that if they were having health issues or were very old like mickey in rocky, that that would be an exception. They disagreed. Oh well. I completely agree with this article kaiser. I posted something similar to this over at a certain PT forum and got absolutely flamed. I said that a trainer should “look like they work out.” People started going off about how it doesnt matter if you are in shape if you know how to get others in shape. I replied that you dont have to look like sylvester stallone but you need to look like you enjoy and live fitness. I also gave the stipulation that if they were having health issues or were very old like mickey in rocky, that that would be an exception. They disagreed. Oh well. I completely agree with this article kaiser.

]]> By: Mike Behnken, MS, CSCShttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-254 Mike Behnken, MS, CSCS Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:51:47 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-254 Good article. A lot can be said about certifications. I will leave at that. I can honestly say that my BS, MS degrees in exercise science and my CSCS, NASM-CPT, and PES have given me far less than what I have learned in over 8 years of personal training experience. I would argue that the education gave me a tremendous head start and caused the 8 years of experience to equal far more had I not got 2 college degrees in the field. Overall, it is still compatibility which makes a trainer - client relationship either thrive, survive, or take a dive. Good article. A lot can be said about certifications. I will leave at that. I can honestly say that my BS, MS degrees in exercise science and my CSCS, NASM-CPT, and PES have given me far less than what I have learned in over 8 years of personal training experience.

I would argue that the education gave me a tremendous head start and caused the 8 years of experience to equal far more had I not got 2 college degrees in the field.

Overall, it is still compatibility which makes a trainer – client relationship either thrive, survive, or take a dive.

]]> By: Doug Murphyhttp://super-trainer.com/personal-training-credentials/#comment-127 Doug Murphy Wed, 14 May 2008 17:29:03 +0000 http://super-trainer.com/the-qualifications-furur-the-debate-on-personal-training-credentials-rages-on/#comment-127 After reading this, all I can say is AMEN! A certification and/or degree is just a starting point. What makes a successful trainer is one who is constantly learning and growing: through continuing education, a love of what they do, and striving to offer the best service possible. And if you don't know how to market and sell yourself, you'll never succeed. I've known many trainers over the years who claimed they had a better certification, degree, etc. While I have been in business for 20 years, many of those who claimed to be "superior" had to find another line of work because they couldn't cut it! After reading this, all I can say is AMEN! A certification and/or degree is just a starting point. What makes a successful trainer is one who is constantly learning and growing: through continuing education, a love of what they do, and striving to offer the best service possible. And if you don’t know how to market and sell yourself, you’ll never succeed. I’ve known many trainers over the years who claimed they had a better certification, degree, etc. While I have been in business for 20 years, many of those who claimed to be “superior” had to find another line of work because they couldn’t cut it!

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