Are additional certifications valuable to a new entry in the industry?
I received my personal trainer certification through ACE a couple of months ago. I’ve been seeking employment but have found little in the way of openings. I was wondering if additional certifications in areas that interest me would be worthwhile. I was looking into Crossfit and Combine360. Does anyone have any input on those or other suggestions?
Congratulations on your certification and welcome to our community! I agree with the above answers. If I were you, I would start with an internship or paid position at a YMCA so you can gain experience by working with a diverse group of clients with different needs and at varying fitness levels, ages, etc. No one certification will make you a better trainer; only experience will do that. Learning how to communicate with clients (active listening, giving constructive feedback and encouragement) and finding out their goals and what’s important to them is key, as is designing the right programs for them. Once you’re comfortable training one client, try training 2, then 3, and work your way up to training groups. In my opinion, this is where our industry is headed. Before you move into providing high-intensity workouts such as Crossfit or Combine360, I recommend leading some boot camp-style classes first if that’s the direction you want to go in. Additional certifications like Crossfit are expensive, so be sure you understand anatomy and physiology as well as the philosophy behind the program. If you follow Crossfit, you know lots of injuries have occurred as a result of trainers not understanding these principles. Be patient, learn from others (and from your own mistakes), and know your limits so you can improve as a trainer. Best of luck!
Harris Sophocleous, CSCS
www.personalpeakfitness.com