Certified with ACE - CPT and looking for an additional certification. Which should I choose?

Hello Jonathan... Great question and I would jump in and ask, what type of education / information are you looking to obtain from another "certification"? Are you looking for info that is pretty similar to what you already have, or are you looking for something that takes the great info you already have and expands on it and provides you with a series of immediately applicable tools that will change your business and your clients' results?

If you are looking for the later of the two option (immediately applicable tools that will change your business and your clients' results), I would strongly suggest PTA Global. They do have a PT Certification if you really want another one 9and it is absolutely mind blowing), but they have developed a truly unique Advanced Personal Training track that consists of 2 courses - the Bridging & Advanced Courses.

These courses contain information that is not seen in any other curriculum in the industry and teach you how to focus your training completely around the client, observing & serving a client from a holistic viewpoint - their lifestyle/nutrition, physical & mental/emotional aspects. Then they show you exactly how to take this information and manipulate a client's training program every time you see them to ensure that you are giving them a program that matches their stress profile for that day - I'm sure you are very aware that adding undo stress to an already stressed client can produce negative results physically as well as mentally & emotionally that the client often associates with the trainer, so I won't beat that dead horse

At the very least, look into PTA GLOBAL - you won't be sorry.

Thank you for your time ;-)

Well it seems you have foundation in the sciences and have CPT. It all really depends on the population you are working with. If you are working particularly with athletes then the NSCA CSCS would be a wise choice! NASM offers some good stuff as well with there PES and CES (I do not think it would be worth getting another CPT). If you were interested in more biomechanics and structuring exercise programs based on musculoskeletal adaptations then I would look into the National Posture Institute Certified Posture Specialist. You already have a nice background to add this addition to your training arsenal. It focus' on structuring exercise prescription with a heavy focus on biomechanics. I like to look at it as putting PT on the proactive end with designing and implementing exercise programs to create a positive impact on peoples skeletal structure. Also, I should mention there are many opportunities that stem from the NPI CPS such as corporate wellness avenues.

What is your area of focus, what niche are you currently working with, and what direction do you see yourself going in the future? Have you done a personal SWOT analysis? If not you should do so, then you can work on your weakness to counter the comeptitive threat in your market then exploit your opportunities and take advantage of your strengths.

When did you get ACE certified, was it the latest edition? It is an excellent manual, if you haven't seen it you should get a copy.

NASM has a new CPT manual just released June 2,2011, I have my copy on its way so I can't give you a solid answer on this yet, but the new ACE manual is better than the 3rd ed NASM manual.

If your focus is on athletics then you could look into the CSCS coupled with a USAW Olympic Club Coach Certification then maybe sprinkle in some NASM PES and or CES.

The answer is really dictated by what you see yourself doing in 5 years.

Hello Jonathan,

Having earned for the most part most of the NCCA accredited credentials, I feel I can offer a little of assistance in determining which credential you will earn next.

ACSM - They don't offer any sports conditioning credentials but have great resources. Really great association to earn a credential through if you are interested in exercise science research. What's more as you have your bachelor's degree in exercise science, you can also qualify to sit for the ACSM Clinical Exercise Specialist. You must have 600 hours of documented clinical work in order to sit for that exam. For your information the ACSM CES credential is recognized by the National Center for Diabetes Educators. This is great in case you want to focus on working specifically with the diabetic population.

The ACSM Health Fitness Specialist credential is an advanced personal trainer credential. It doesn't require documentation of clinical hours but the candidate must have at least an associate's degree in a health-related science.

I see you teach Spinning. ACSM also offers a group fitness instructor credential.

NSCA CSCS credential - only those with a four-year degree can sit for that exam. It's a rather challenging exam. Valuable if you are interested in teaching sports and athletic conditioning. Really heady material. The NSCA journal - "The Journal for Strength Conditioning Research" is a wonderful journal packed with research related to sports and athletics condition. It's a great member benefit.

NASM PES -Great credential - Their approach to performance enhancement programming is great. Very easy to understand and implement. No membership and no journal.

As an ACE certified personal trainer, I am sure you are familiar with the AHFS and the LWMC credentials. I am sure the AHFS requires 300 documented hours of training special populations. I earned the LWMC many years ago, hence, I don't remember whether there is an documented hourly requirement to sit for that exam.

Well, I hope this gives you something to mull over and I wish you the best with whatever path you choose to travel.

I recently earned the ACE Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist and feel that this has had a strong impact on my personal training business. I feel that many people who have picked up my brochures recently, have taken special note of what this certification focuses on. I also think the quality of the ACE study materials is excellent, and I continue to use them as resources when working with clients. Finally, I feel that all the ACE certifications are well respected throughout the industry, and have always been a positive addition to my resume and professional qualifications.

You have your mainstream, widely recognized certification. Get a less mainstream one that may not be as well recognized, but higher quality.

PAS I and PAS II from Egoscue University (egoscueuniversity.com)- this focuses on living and moving pain free

Feldenkrais Practitioner (google it for one near you)- similar to Egoscue, see what fits you

Both are excellent from the research that I've done.

The two best mainstream ones are NASM- CES and NSCA CSCS. CES is based more on biomechanics and CSCS is more physiology.

ACSM
All of our research comes from them!

Hi Jonathan. The answer to your question will really depend on what area(s) of this immense industry you are looking to focus on. With so many certifications out there, and so many certifying organizations offering educational opportunities, I think that the first review should be a "personal" one in which you take a serious look at where you see your training practice/career going. Then, take a look at the organizations offering the certifications that will help you get there. Your ultimate decision may also include an analysis of other factors such as cost, time commitment, recognition in the field (if your goal is to make yourself more marketable), and whether the additional certification duplicates what you already have or offers new information/education.

I hope this helps.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com

I would go with NASM because it seams like all the big gyms are making deals with them. Lifetime Fitness for example is a massive corporate facility and they are only taking NASM certified trainers now.

I'm ACE and the NASM PES is one that currently interest me. Like others have mentioned, choose something that would benefit you and your niche client's. A win win for both.