Information needed

[SCARFACE]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum but i have been hanging around here searching for advice for a little while now. Well, anways i am VERY VERY interested in becomming a Personal Trainer. I love to lift and i love to help people in the weight room. I play football and I currently take weight training in school. Its funny because most students come ask me for workout tips instead of the teacher. I am very good with working with people and communicating with them. I think im addicted with weight training. I talk to my girlfriend/fiance about how bad i want to become a certified fitness trainer and make this my career. What i would like to know is ALL the help and tips you all have. But one of my main questions is right now, do i have to go to a 4 year college to achieve this goal? Although i work hard in school, my grades arent that great. I was thinking about going to a technical college but wanted to know if i need to attend a University of some sort. Anyways, please just give me all the tips needed because this is really important to me. Thanks alot in advanced

[MuscleMama]

Very briefly: No, you don't need a four-year degree to be a certified personal fitness trainer. You simply take a certification test. If you pass it, you're a certified personal fitness trainer! If you don't, you can take it as many times as needed to pass. (Of course, this costs hundreds of dollars each time you take the exam.)

Personally, I have experience - in both college and the "real world" - in sports medicine and anatomy/physiology - and I believe that it's always good to absorb as much information as you possibly can (in school or otherwise). However, as stated previously, no, it's not required to go to college to become a certified trainer.

Whatever route you choose, good luck to you.

[miskiw]

I hear ya Scarface, I really want to be certified my self...I did some half ass research on the matter and according to a http://nsca-cc.org/

CSCS certification:

The CSCS® program was initiated in 1985 to identify individuals who possess the knowledge and skills to design and implement safe and effective strength and conditioning programs. The program encourages a higher level of competence among practitioners that, in turn, raises the quality of strength training and conditioning programs provided by those who are CSCS® certified. To be eligible to take the exam, you must hold a BA/BS degree, be enrolled as a college senior at an accredited college or university, or hold a degree in chiropractic medicine, and be CPR certified.

and for
NSCA-CPT certification:

The NSCA-CPT® credential is designed for professionals who work one-on-one with their clients in a variety of environments, including YMCAs, schools, health/fitness clubs and clients’ homes. The exam thoroughly tests the knowledge and skills that are necessary to successfully train active and sedentary physically healthy individuals, as well as the elderly and obese. Personal trainers with specialized expertise may also be involved in training clients with orthopedic, cardiovascular and other chronic conditions. NSCA-CPT® examination candidates must be CPR certified to sit for the exam.

so I guess you can take the NSCA-CPT exam without any secondary education....

I am currently in university...I think I will wait till I get my BSc and go for the CSCS certification.

[Alex(AJ)]

like they said, u need a certificate. not sure about where you are, but in canada (atleast here), it's pointless to just have a certification. you also need a degree and specilization in nutrition or something (certificates are a dime a dozen, and if you want to stand a chance u need something else backing u)

[SCARFACE]

Hey everyone, thanks for the replies. I'll keep studying hard and working out to improve my body even more. but if any of you happen to know a nice site that could give me tons of information or if you stumble across something you may think i could check out or look into, please feel free to email me. My email is PRIMETIME186@AOL.COM

[MuscleMama]

You don't need a degree to take the test and become certified. I know several personal fitness trainers who have their certifications (becaused they passed the exam) - but no college degree whatsoever.