So this has got to be the best job on the planet, you get to help other people reach their fitness goals, whether they be rehabing an injury, maintaining strength in old age, gaining strength, losing weight, racing faster, playing (insert sport here) better, etc.
So my question is: What does one do to become a trainer/coach? What education, qualifications, etc, are necessary?
-Erik
I would imagine it varies from area to area, but in some places anybody can hang out a shingle and call themselves a “personal trainer” regardless whether they have an exercise physiology degree from a good university or if they’re just somebody off the street. I believe that in Canada they are attempting to get it regulated as a professional designation. Currently there is a community college nearby that has a two year health/fitness program for this. If they get the professional designation they will grandfather a number of people in, but in the future it may become a minimum two year college course.
I got my certification as a personal trainer last year. Took a weekend long course and a test. Whamo! Certified Personal Trainer. Kind of scared me. I took the course for personal enrichment and to help me teach a group exercise class. I have been teaching physical activities such as Martial Arts, yoga, and Tai Chi for years. With that and this course I defintely felt I had NO business going into a gym and setting up a exercise program for someone. Since this wasn’t my goal that’s okay. But the other people in my class did want to do that and I happen to know that I scored in the upper percental of my class on the exam. Scary, I wish it were more regulated. Of course I feel that way walking into a martial arts school and listening to what some instructors are saying to small children.
You’re right…it IS a pretty cool job. My wife has always been a tremendous athlete and took an interest in physiology and coaching…naturally, that led her to personal training and she now does that, and runs a tri training group as her primary occupation. She got her PT certification through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), but there are other bodies that offer similar certification. Hers was done as a study-at-home course, and when completed, she was an officially certified personal trainer. Other bodies may have a different approach and different requirements to earn certification. I help out with her tri group, and it is a blast - there’s really nothing more rewarding than seeing her ‘students’ (many of whom are first-timers and novices) progress during the year - they develop a ton of confidence, improve their fitness and generally have fun with the rest of the group. I can’t begin to tell you how good it feels to go watch them at their goal races and see them succeeding in doing something that many of them once looked at as an impossibility. Be advised that it’s a TON of work - there’s alot that goes into planning and organizing a good program, and in terms of $$/hr., the pay sucks. It ain’t all about the almighty dollar, though…and I’m quite sure that she wouldn’t trade her job for a better-paying one. Hope that’s some help, and best of luck in your pursuits.
I have been looking into becoming a personal trainer and branching out to tri coaching. I have been looking into ACSM certification and wondered if anyone has had experience. I think that the woman who is going by the forum name of Charlee is ACSM certified etc.
thanks
OH - Don’t get me started…
I love being a trainer/coach. I was first certified by an agency that no longer certifies, before ACE was popular, 16 years ago. I now have a business that caters mostly to athletes and have the best coaches and nutritionists on my staff and referral list, in the area. I can make my own hours (which is normally all day, every day, except when the kids are around), train when I want (if I am not too tired since I kinda work out with my clients as well) and share what I have learned with others. I love working with kids and have started a non profit company to kids get moving in sports like triathlon, duathlon, and track & field events. As someone said before, there is no better feeling than helping someone achieve their goals and I get that feeling often. Love it. Worth so much more than money and I would know cause as a former accountant, I used to make lots of it.
When I first moved to North Carolina from Cali I wandered into a beauty supply store to buy a nail file. They asked for my license - you had to be a licensed beautician (or whatever the pc term is these days) to buy a “professional” nail file. That is when I found out that this state regulates that industry (as well as alcohol sales which freaked my mom out when she was visiting and could not believe they did not sell gin at the grocery store, but that’s another rant). However, the personal training industry is NOT regulated in this state and at the present time, in no other state in the U.S. Hopefully this will be changing soon. The organization I am certified by, NSCA (NSCA-lift.org) and other organizations are working on getting the states to license personal trainers. From what I hear, the states that will act on this first are Cali, Florida and New York but I am sure the others will follow soon after.
The problem is, who can be licensed?
I am a certfied strengh & conditioning specialist (CSCS). To get that I had to pass a 2 part exam that normally takes a person WITH an exercise phys degree about 3+ months to study for. Study materials include texts, guides, video, tape and seminars. Not only do we have to know what every lift looks like and safety concerns regarding it but for what sport the exercise is best programmed for and when in the season to do it. It covers nutrition concerns, psychology, equipment set up, many subjects. The certification also requires that you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and that you maintain a certain level of continuing ed hours from ACCREDITED sources. Most ACE and AFAA courses do not qualify as accredited under NSCA guidelines since they deal more with exercise design rather than programming concerns such as when and why we do it.
My guess is that anyone with an ACE, AFAA or similar and the big three I refer to as ACSM (ACSM.org), NASM (NASM.org) and NSCA will be licensed. Unfortunately, as someone stated earlier, any schmo (not meaning the guy of course, he actually seems concerned with the process) off the street can get “certified” within a weekend. I know a “certfying agency” where you can be a certified personal trainer in one afternoon. They also handle the continuing ed for you as well 
How about this? A triathlon coaching service “certifying” others in about 6 hours and making them “coaches”. Why not just send them to USAT for a whole weekend, they are charging the same price!
One industry that is regulated in this state is Nutrition, and I am so glad it is. However, it is not enforced very well. Many trainers and coaches are out there giving advice on diets and have no education on nutrition, and I DO NOT call reading a book an education. I always say beware of the trainer that will recommend supplements over food and, well, how convenient, he sells them too… or is sponsored by them in some way. We have a sports nutritionist (MPH, LDN, RD) on staff and do not sell supplements. If we are sponsored by a company that sells nutrition aids then we make it very clear to the manufacturer AND the client that this is what we like to use but it may not be for everyone. We always push a well balanced diet as a base.
Another thing, it is ok to question one’s knowledge and certification. If you are concerned about your trainer, call the certfying agency and make sure they are legit. Ask the trainer about their continuing ed and philosophy of training and how it pertains to you as an athlete. Good luck!
as a former personal trainer w/ an exersice science degree I’d say the degree opened more doors than the certs did. Some places though think that the certs are everything even though some instructors are dumber than bricks. if you want what is/was considered one of the best certs to get look into getting your CSCS. if your competing for a job and have your CSCS and someone else has their ACE or AFAA your about 3 steps ahead in knowledge, all else being equal. building a client base is the toughest thing about personal training. No clients = all the time to work out then next thing you know your training people 50+ hours a week.
thanks dersertdude for the information. Quesiton what does the CSCS, ACE, and AFAA stand for? thanks
CSCS - Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through NSCA (National Strength & Conditioning Association) - best when your clients are athletes of any level. NSCA also has a Certified Personal Trainer cert that does not require a bachelor’s degree. Look at most articles regarding strength for athletes in publications and notice what the writer’s credentials are. Many are CSCS.
ACE - American Council on Exercise
AFAA - Aerobics and Fitness Associaton of America
ACSM - American College of Sports Medicine. Best for general and special populations such as elderly. Great research that any member can get, and you don’t necessarily have to be certified by them.
NASM - National Academy of Sports Medicine. They offer a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES-big on functional training, almost leaning towards rehab and PT) and a CPT.
every other red shirt in Ballys is a personal trainer, some of them seem to have a clue
you think NC is bad? try buying alcohol in PA, why do you think there are large liquor stores just over the border in every neighboring state?
The gold standard is the American College of Sports Medicine (Health Fitness Specialist or higher).
Dave from VA
you think NC is bad? try buying alcohol in PA, why do you think there are large liquor stores just over the border in every neighboring state? No way i used to live in PA, and it may be bad but at least you can buy alcohol 7 days a week and up until 2 AM. In CT where i currently reside you can’t buy alcohol after 9 and not at all on sundays. And to top it off in PA when the distributers close you can at least get a six pack from a bar and carry it home, in CT you can’t even take alcohol from the bars. So if you don’t get your alcohol ahead of time you are pretty much screwed. The worst is Memorial Day and Labor Day when you forget to get your beer saturday, the “Package Stores” (Packies) are closed sunday and monday so your plum out of luck. -Erik
…at least in PA, you can get ahold of some of Yuengling’s fine products without any trouble. Their porter is the goods!
does Yuengling’s still make thier black n tan. That was the best black and tan I’ve ever had. can’t find any out in az but used to stock up when I went to the Pocono’s
Unfortunately, I can’t say…moved out of PA about 8 years ago, but you’re right about the Black n Tan. I once found a 6 of their lager in the import section of a store in VA…guess it sounds like some kind of Chinese beer?! I bet you could find a shop that could special-order some for ya’.
yes they do, is it legal to send you a case?
I’m not really sure if it legal to send beer interstate.
does anyone know if it is legal to ship beer across state lines?
it’s German, man
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Excellent summary. As someone with a M.S. in Exercise Physiology and a former Certified Athletic Trainer (neither of which I use in my job anymore), I thought about getting further certification, but haven’t followed through. One of my clubmates is regional manager of a chain of high end clubs here. Here are his thoughts (as someone who does hiring):
The ACSM is considered the "gold standard’ for the general and special population exercising groups. It is much more comprehensive in total health when compared to the others. The NSCA (National Strength Conditioning Association) is probably the best for higher levels of strength conditioning for competitive athletes. There are two certifications available for NSCA: the CSCS (Certified Strength Conditioning Specialist) and the Personal Trainer Certification. The CSCS is rather advanced and specific. The PT certification is a little lighter but still very conditioning specific when compared to the ACSM. The ACSM has several certifications along two tracks: 1) the fitness with three levels a) Health Fitness Director (requires a significant amount of supervisory experience and covers all aspects including business planning and personal management), b) the Health/Fitness Instructor, which is the most popular for health and fitness professionals. (It is recommended that the candidate have a health/fitness related degree and/or extensive experience), and the lowest level, c) the Exercise Leader Certification (basically for group exercise/aerobics instructors). All three Certifications include both a written and practical aspect of the exam. The HFI offers a 5-day 8-5 workshop to review material and allow practice for the practical.
The NASM - National Academy of Sports Medicine is attempting to compete with the ACSM and cover more of the same general information. I assume that they too have a practical and written exam. ACE, AFFA and a few other “one-day” certifications are pretty basic. Most people, regardless of their backgrounds can study the ACE book for a few weeks and pass the exam. Some ACSM critics claim that the ACSM doesn’t spend enough time on the more specific strength topics that the personal trainer requires. The organization has responded by offering “Enhanced Certifications” in a variety of topics such as nutrition, strength training and older populations. Candidates must already be HFI certified to attend these one-day workshop and certifications.
My wife is a fitness director for a West Coast sports resort company. They require ACSM of all their trainers - no exceptions. There are other clubs in the area (San Diego) that have ‘lesser’ qualifications - ACE, etc.