Answers (9)
2
Nicole, I would enthusiastically say go for your NSCA CSCS credential.
In 2008, I was able to prepare for and pass this challenging exam. In our industry it is a highly recognized credential. It differentiates you as one who has pursued secondary education. Too, by earning it, it puts you in the direction of your desired career path. Somehow, I believe that fitness professionals who work with athletes have earned this credential.
Following are other reasons to earn the NSCA CSCS credential.
1. NSCA is a verifiable partner with IDEA Fitness Connect.
2. As a fitness professional with verifiable credentials, it is easier for the public to find someone with your skills.
3. Should you take this exam and become a member you will receive NSCA Journal of Sports Conditioning Journal bimonthly. It is filled with practical research related to sports conditioning.
4. You will receive on a monthly basis the Journal of Sports Conditioning Research. This journal includes the latest topics on sports conditioning.
5. You will receive discounted rates on NSCA conferences, webinars etc.
6. You will increase your knowledge base.
Nicole, we all individually must decide what we deem to have value. Personally, I place high value on earning certifications that are respected and recognized in the industry. After I earned my masters degree, one of the things I missed the most was having access to my University's library. I am able to offset this by being an active member of the ACSM and the NSCA. For your information they are the two most recognized certifying bodies that dispense research related to our industry. As an addendum, it is possible to have membership without having earned the credential. That is, however, a personal choice and I don't feel it is my place to determine what is good for you.
All I am able to do is tell you what has worked for me.
Nicole, the premise behind IDEA Fitness Connect is to help the public locate fitness professionals who are on top of their game and to promote ourselves as serious professionals. This site is not simply about responding to and posting questions and answers. It is an opportunity for you to put your best professional foot forward and do your part to add to the professionalism of the industry.
Please know that 16 million people view this portal and everything you put on your profile will either attract potential clients to your profile or detract them. Never forget, once it is in cyberspace, it is a done deal.
I wish you the very best.
In 2008, I was able to prepare for and pass this challenging exam. In our industry it is a highly recognized credential. It differentiates you as one who has pursued secondary education. Too, by earning it, it puts you in the direction of your desired career path. Somehow, I believe that fitness professionals who work with athletes have earned this credential.
Following are other reasons to earn the NSCA CSCS credential.
1. NSCA is a verifiable partner with IDEA Fitness Connect.
2. As a fitness professional with verifiable credentials, it is easier for the public to find someone with your skills.
3. Should you take this exam and become a member you will receive NSCA Journal of Sports Conditioning Journal bimonthly. It is filled with practical research related to sports conditioning.
4. You will receive on a monthly basis the Journal of Sports Conditioning Research. This journal includes the latest topics on sports conditioning.
5. You will receive discounted rates on NSCA conferences, webinars etc.
6. You will increase your knowledge base.
Nicole, we all individually must decide what we deem to have value. Personally, I place high value on earning certifications that are respected and recognized in the industry. After I earned my masters degree, one of the things I missed the most was having access to my University's library. I am able to offset this by being an active member of the ACSM and the NSCA. For your information they are the two most recognized certifying bodies that dispense research related to our industry. As an addendum, it is possible to have membership without having earned the credential. That is, however, a personal choice and I don't feel it is my place to determine what is good for you.
All I am able to do is tell you what has worked for me.
Nicole, the premise behind IDEA Fitness Connect is to help the public locate fitness professionals who are on top of their game and to promote ourselves as serious professionals. This site is not simply about responding to and posting questions and answers. It is an opportunity for you to put your best professional foot forward and do your part to add to the professionalism of the industry.
Please know that 16 million people view this portal and everything you put on your profile will either attract potential clients to your profile or detract them. Never forget, once it is in cyberspace, it is a done deal.
I wish you the very best.
2
Nicole,
The first part of this is to answer your question.
I think the best advice that anyone could give you in regard to this question would be that the best certification for you is going to be one that is in an area that interests you.
Do some research into all the different certifications available, find something that seems really interesting and fun, and go for it! If you love what you're doing, you'll be great at it!
I wish you the best, Nicole! =)
This next part is for Jason,
Jason,
Please understand that what I have to say comes from a pure place as well.
I think that you should be reminded that this is a professional website, and I cannot help but get the feeling that your words to Joanne have a condescending tone.
Your opinion is respected here, but know that when you open yourself up to criticism (constructive or otherwise) you are expected, as a professional, to deal with that criticism in the most positive way possible. I doubt that you are any better than anyone else who chooses to use this website for professional reasons. If you are of a different opinion in those regards, you would be well advised to use Facebook or some other outlet to express that particular opinion.
I do agree with you that there are bad apples in every bunch, but I think that it is a little presumptuous of you to assume that the program you went through is all that different than a program that offers a certification such as the ACE personal trainer certification program.
ACE exams are not simple, and a simpleton cannot pass the exams. I spent six fairly intense months in a college setting studying for my certification exam and gaining practical experience. Joanne is an instructor for ACE, and their instructors are held to strict ethical and educational standards.
You are incorrect by saying that a Master's is the highest level of education besides a Ph.D. Have you heard of First Professional Degrees? These degrees are sometimes considered as the "highest level" college degrees.
I would also like to give you a friendly reminder that your employer, the National Posture Institute, supports nearly every if not every single NCCA-Accredited organization that offers fitness certifications.
Furthermore, as a fellow college graduate studying in Exercise Science, I find it appalling that you have numerous grammatical errors not only in your response to Joanne, but also in the majority of your responses on this site. A sub-par command of syntax and grammar does not do much for your credibility when it comes to education, it send the message that you don't take the time to read what you're saying, and I doubt anyone who reads your post(s) will take you seriously as a professional because of that.
I feel confident in saying that what you see nine times out of ten with someone who is seeking to earn... yes... earn... a certification is someone who is seeking to gain a basic understanding and basic knowledge in a specific area. This is why there are a variety of certifications available.
Different things work for different people, and apparently a certification is not what works for you. I would challenge you, however, to think outside the box and reevaluate your opinion that all certifications only involve reading a text book and passing a test. This is a very limited and narrow viewpoint for someone who values education, like yourself.
Again, your opinion is respected, and you have clearly had plenty of success in your chosen profession. You have applied your education to your life with great success, which speaks volumes to your determination.
In the end, it doesn't matter how one chooses to get an education (through college, through an NCCA-Accredited organization, through free workshops, or even from a friend).
What matters is how one uses that education.
All the best to you, Jason.
The first part of this is to answer your question.
I think the best advice that anyone could give you in regard to this question would be that the best certification for you is going to be one that is in an area that interests you.
Do some research into all the different certifications available, find something that seems really interesting and fun, and go for it! If you love what you're doing, you'll be great at it!
I wish you the best, Nicole! =)
This next part is for Jason,
Jason,
Please understand that what I have to say comes from a pure place as well.
I think that you should be reminded that this is a professional website, and I cannot help but get the feeling that your words to Joanne have a condescending tone.
Your opinion is respected here, but know that when you open yourself up to criticism (constructive or otherwise) you are expected, as a professional, to deal with that criticism in the most positive way possible. I doubt that you are any better than anyone else who chooses to use this website for professional reasons. If you are of a different opinion in those regards, you would be well advised to use Facebook or some other outlet to express that particular opinion.
I do agree with you that there are bad apples in every bunch, but I think that it is a little presumptuous of you to assume that the program you went through is all that different than a program that offers a certification such as the ACE personal trainer certification program.
ACE exams are not simple, and a simpleton cannot pass the exams. I spent six fairly intense months in a college setting studying for my certification exam and gaining practical experience. Joanne is an instructor for ACE, and their instructors are held to strict ethical and educational standards.
You are incorrect by saying that a Master's is the highest level of education besides a Ph.D. Have you heard of First Professional Degrees? These degrees are sometimes considered as the "highest level" college degrees.
I would also like to give you a friendly reminder that your employer, the National Posture Institute, supports nearly every if not every single NCCA-Accredited organization that offers fitness certifications.
Furthermore, as a fellow college graduate studying in Exercise Science, I find it appalling that you have numerous grammatical errors not only in your response to Joanne, but also in the majority of your responses on this site. A sub-par command of syntax and grammar does not do much for your credibility when it comes to education, it send the message that you don't take the time to read what you're saying, and I doubt anyone who reads your post(s) will take you seriously as a professional because of that.
I feel confident in saying that what you see nine times out of ten with someone who is seeking to earn... yes... earn... a certification is someone who is seeking to gain a basic understanding and basic knowledge in a specific area. This is why there are a variety of certifications available.
Different things work for different people, and apparently a certification is not what works for you. I would challenge you, however, to think outside the box and reevaluate your opinion that all certifications only involve reading a text book and passing a test. This is a very limited and narrow viewpoint for someone who values education, like yourself.
Again, your opinion is respected, and you have clearly had plenty of success in your chosen profession. You have applied your education to your life with great success, which speaks volumes to your determination.
In the end, it doesn't matter how one chooses to get an education (through college, through an NCCA-Accredited organization, through free workshops, or even from a friend).
What matters is how one uses that education.
All the best to you, Jason.
0
Hello Nicole,
I suggest you stay right here at the IDEA web site and look at the career guide. It has many certifiying organizations listed, and some feedback is provided from those who hold the respective certifications.
Personally, I would only choose a certification that is NCCA-accredited. If you have a specific employer in the field in mind, I would try to find out whether this organization is partial to any one of those certifications.
I wish you best of luck and congratulate you on the degrees that you have already obtained.
I suggest you stay right here at the IDEA web site and look at the career guide. It has many certifiying organizations listed, and some feedback is provided from those who hold the respective certifications.
Personally, I would only choose a certification that is NCCA-accredited. If you have a specific employer in the field in mind, I would try to find out whether this organization is partial to any one of those certifications.
I wish you best of luck and congratulate you on the degrees that you have already obtained.
0
I need to chime in one more time in response to Jason. Sure, his point of view may be valid.
At the wellness center where I work, all wellness instructors, as they are called there, have a college degree in fitness. However, they all are also required to have a personal trainer certification. The reason is that a college degree does not require any re-certification. That way, the wellness center has assurance that the staff stays up to date on fitness matters.
At the wellness center where I work, all wellness instructors, as they are called there, have a college degree in fitness. However, they all are also required to have a personal trainer certification. The reason is that a college degree does not require any re-certification. That way, the wellness center has assurance that the staff stays up to date on fitness matters.
0
NSCA's CSCS is widely recognized in a university setting. I have this certification. I also really like NASM's CES and PES. NASM's stuff was developed by Dr. Mike Clark and Physical Therapy Doctor. I'm working on my Doctor of Physical Therapy so I like the text of these two slightly more.
0
Hi Nicole,
I would like to expand more on the NSCA CSCS certification. After I received my B.S. in Kinesiology, my immediate goal was to become certified as a CSCS so that I could work with athletes. Many of the job postings for sports conditioning indicate a preference for the CSCS or the CSCCA (http://www.cscca.org/certification) certification. I cannot speak for the CSCCA (it is, however, specifically geared towards collegiate coaching), but I can tell you more about becoming a CSCS.
The CSCS material is different than many of the personal training texts that I've read in that it provides a fantastic scientific overview. Topics include biomechanics, endocrinology, periodization, bioenergetics, and other exercise science subjects. Each chapter was punctuated with numerous scientific references, explanations, and current information. However, the sections on plyometrics and speed & agility training were the most valuable to me as they were not topics covered in college.
It is also a nationally accredited certification and holds high industry regard. I feel that it definitely set me apart during my job search. You could also look into NASM's PES certification, but I do not know much about it. Best of luck to you.
I would like to expand more on the NSCA CSCS certification. After I received my B.S. in Kinesiology, my immediate goal was to become certified as a CSCS so that I could work with athletes. Many of the job postings for sports conditioning indicate a preference for the CSCS or the CSCCA (http://www.cscca.org/certification) certification. I cannot speak for the CSCCA (it is, however, specifically geared towards collegiate coaching), but I can tell you more about becoming a CSCS.
The CSCS material is different than many of the personal training texts that I've read in that it provides a fantastic scientific overview. Topics include biomechanics, endocrinology, periodization, bioenergetics, and other exercise science subjects. Each chapter was punctuated with numerous scientific references, explanations, and current information. However, the sections on plyometrics and speed & agility training were the most valuable to me as they were not topics covered in college.
It is also a nationally accredited certification and holds high industry regard. I feel that it definitely set me apart during my job search. You could also look into NASM's PES certification, but I do not know much about it. Best of luck to you.
0
NSCA would be great! Also, I know that Bastyr University in Seattle offers Sports specific programs.
-1
Why do you need a certification ? They seem pointless in my opinion or a waste of money. You have the highest level of education besides a PhD. If you want to pick up information on sports nutrition one of professors authored NSCA Sports Nutrition Text which is a very well put together book. However, a certification is only going to give you a title and NCCA is just an accreditation noting important to your success. Education is there - follow it up with experience...
Fuel the Movement,
JM
Fuel the Movement,
JM
