ISSA Certification ?

[Arnell Castillo]

Was wondering if anyone on here has done or knows anything about the ISSA ? was thinking about taking the course to get certified as a personal trainer along with the couses I will be taking for the ACE exam

[Matthew White]

If you're are looking for a job in the field, take the ACE exam, pass it, get the cert that way, don't pay all that money to get what a cheap test can give you. Then go do your thing.

[chad_coy]

NASM CPT....more indepth than about any other base cert. I require this as our base at both my gyms.

[Benjamin Kieren]

Yeah, I would take the ACE test. I took it and it was the easiest test I've ever took. You don't need to buy all those books and attend courses. Its so easy. Once you take it, you'll laugh.

[Matt Brouse]

I know that ACE is a really easy test. NASM CPT that Chad mentioned is becoming more recognized and required.

I don't know too much about the ISSA tests but it is pricey. Good stuff, I am sure.

[Ryan Bracewell]

Which cert you get will really depend on where your going to work. If you want to work for 24hour or a Corporately owned Gold's Gym you want to get the NASM CPT. Both of those places will make you get the NASM even if they hire you with a different one. If your going to do frelance training or work for a privately owned gym then I would start out with ACE since its cheaper, and then get a better cert once you have made a little money. If you want to get into training athletes longterm I would look into the NSCA-CSCS. This is what most college/Pro strength and conditioning coaches have. I am currently reading the books for that test even though i am not planning on taking the test.

[Arnell Castillo]

Thanks guys...... Has anyone heard of the NCSF ? (National Council on Strength and Fitness) how is that one ? is it worth it ?

[Mike Pelosi]

Arnell, I was in the same boat you were in a few months ago. I picked ACE because it was cheap, easy. I know this sounds bad but let me explain:

You learn how to train people/athletes from experience with experienced people. In addittion, you will continually keep educating yourself. I don't believe in about what 95 percent of ACE says is the "right way to train" someone. In fact, I think it's crap to say politely.

But, for insurance reasons (covering you're own behind) and legitimacy reasons I am now a "Personal Trainer" but I will never use their philosohpy or training diet system-ever.

ISSA has gone down the tubes...when Hatfield use to be the editor/writer it was awesome. It was real, practical strength training. Now it's written by bodybuilders. Their Zig-Zag method is still the same but in all reality, its nothing more then eating for you're activity level. In my state of Massachusetts at least you can't even give someone a diet plan unless your a registered dietician.

NSCA or NASM are good but their way over priced and speak in big terms which aren't necessary. No one cares about that stuff that you will train. They care if you will get them results.

If I didn't need a certification where I worked or, if I were to go into business myself, I would probably just buy the trainers insurance (you'll need to regardless) and train people that way. Their is a sepearate, slightly more expensive trainers insurance option for people without a personal training certification/college degree.

[Matt Schumann]

yeah man, the ISSA cert is pretty much a joke. I just let mine expire. Let me tell you first hand, When you go out into the field and try to get a job as a personal trainer the ISSA cert IMO is looked at like a joke. Ace is excepted and respected everywhere and probaly your best bang for the buck.

[MarkSikora]

I don't work in the field so my opinion does not mean anything, but here it is:

I used to be ISSA certfied, I let it expire. The test was ok, it was do at home, so you could take your time with it.

I still am CSCS certified through the NSCA. Very comprehensive program imho. Like a college level course. When I took it, I did it mostly just because I wanted to. I talked to a couple of people at the testing site who were phys. majors etc and I was intimidated, seeing as I was years out of school etc. I still passed, but it was a lot of material for sure.

I don't know about ACE or the others. I do know the CSCS is pretty intense and a lot of material. Then again....I don't use it or the ISSA I had, I just did them both on a lark.........

good luck

Mark