In today's litigious society, becoming a personal trainer without certification can be dangerous. But certification programs can be expensive and, in some cases, a particular certification may not be appropriate for your training environment. Thus, the best certification is relative.
Before you spend on a program, determine which certification is most appropriate for your needs. If your goal is to work at a specific facility, ask the facility which certification is preferred. All certification programs provide a pre-test study guide. Some provide a workshop. If you are new to the industry, it's best to attend a program that provides a workshop. Keep in mind that testing fees are separate from the workshop and study guide costs, and all programs require CPR certification.
American College Of Sports Medicine Certifications
The American College of Sports Medicine, or ACSM, is considered the gold standard in personal training certification. It offers a variety of certifications, such as personal trainer, health fitness specialist, cancer exercise trainer and inclusive fitness exercise trainer. Although the personal trainer certification is the easiest, it requires an large amount of clinical and technical information, in comparison to other certification programs. While some believe that this certification is the passport to work in any venue, the test is difficult. Novices in the fitness industry--who have a minimal amount of education in exercise physiology, human anatomy and kinesiology--might be better off starting with a different certification.
ACSM Webinars
ACSM offers a number of pre-certification webinar workshops. These are usually one month long and take place on weeknights. The online, interactive sessions provide a way to prepare for the exam without traveling to an ACSM location. However, usually more than one webinar topic is needed for certification preparation. Since each series costs $240, the overall cost can be expensive.
American Council on Exercise
The American Council on Exercise, ACE, is one of the oldest personal training certifications. Today, it is still one of the most favored certifications by health clubs and personal training facilities. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and two simulated client scenarios. These are hypothetical training situations, in which you must explain your solutions. Although the ACE exam requires extensive knowledge, it is less technical than the ACSM one. Additionally, the ACE exam information is more suitable for trainers who want to work with the general population, as opposed to those who will be working with people with heart disease and other types of chronic illnesses.
ACE Exam Preparation Materials
ACE has a variety of home study packages, which range from $150 to $400. The more expensive packages provide DVDs and free consultations with ACE professionals. Additionally, all certification packages come with a free, weekly study guide in your email.
ACE and ACSM Benefits
Both ACE and ACSM provide certified instructors with a number of benefits, which include reduced prices on health and liability insurance and a reduced membership to Personal Training on the Net. This is a monthly resource that features articles and exercise photos that can be downloaded and sent to clients.
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