Want to Become a Personal Trainer

[midgetcop]

So...I want to get the education and training to become a part-time personal trainer at my local YMCA. But I've trying to look for resources on how to attain that kind of qualifications, but I'm not too sure where to start.

I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to fitness, but I was never formally educated and most of what I know has come from personal research and trial and error. So...no Kinesiology classes for me.

I'm probably going to end up just asking my Y what kind of quals they look for, and what resources are out there. But if anyone here has any kind of tips advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Lift2Live]

If you want to become a PT, you are eventually going to have to get a nationally recognized certification for most employers. The ACE is a very basic one, there's the NCSM and the one I want which is the ACSM. The ACSM requires at least an A.A. degree in a field pertaining to sports, dietetic technology etc,... The rest you can take the test without qualifications although, you really will need the physiology, kinesiology and dietetic courses to pass. There are less than 12 month courses in most cities that offer personal trainer programs though. I personally am going back to school for a degree in Physical Education so that I can take the ACSM. You can order study at home materials from the various national organizations though if that's what you desire to do. Good luck, it's a long road either way I think.

[midgetcop]

I just found a local college that offers a year long certification with part-time classes. I'm not sure what kind of certification I receive, I'll have to look further into it.

[Firehawk]

I also would like to become a Personal Trainer. I have papers on a PT institute around here somewhere, but i figure i better get into good shape first before i go get a certificate.

[midgetcop]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

I also would like to become a Personal Trainer. I have papers on a PT institute around here somewhere, but i figure i better get into good shape first before i go get a certificate.

Yup. Gotta be able to practice what you preach. :

[smm3]

The personal trainer community is currently in the mode of trying to set the bar the same for all tests. There are some 300+ certifying organizations and some are as easy as getting on the internet and answering 50 multiple choice question (major B.S.). I, personally, am ACE certified and also NSCA certified as a strength and conditioning specialist.

These two organizations, along with ACSM, have already been accredited by NOCA (National Organization for Competency Assurance). This doesn't mean the tests are the same, it means that they both cover the necessary knowledge for trainers to meet the needs of their clients.

Definitely look into and research these organizations.

[grambo]

midgetcop, post your findings, im interested in doing the same thing

thx

[Luca Brasi]

Ballys will hire you without certification, you just have to agree to get certified within a few months or something.

However, I've watched Bally's trainers in action and I've come to the conclusion that they are a total joke.

[Lift2Live]

Originally Posted by Luca Brasi

Ballys will hire you without certification, you just have to agree to get certified within a few months or something.

However, I've watched Bally's trainers in action and I've come to the conclusion that they are a total joke.

That's the EXACT same thing here at 24 Hr Fitness. They will hire you un-certified. They train you to teach the clients what they want them to learn. A bunch of this ball stability crap that the so called "trainers" themselves would NEVER do! It really is a joke. If you want to hire a trainer, don't do it unless they are qualified, and well so!

[midgetcop]

Originally Posted by grambo

midgetcop, post your findings, im interested in doing the same thing

thx

Grambo, are you Canadian? Because my findings apply to certification in the the Toronto area...not sure if this is a provincial or federal thing yet.

But so far I've found this page which points to fitness certification sources in Canada. I'm personally interested in the Humber College course which is local for me.They have a one year certificate course called Fitness Leadership. I'm not sure if that gives me some kind of official PT certification, but I'm assuming so.

[MrsRiley]

I'm getting my PT cert thru ACE. I've already got a BS in Biology/Chemistry so the technical stuff is pretty easy for me to understand I'm mainly trying to get all the functional stuff down. Good luck to you! :

[ajarvis]

midgetcop I don't know what you've looked at, but in Canada the starting place alot of trainers seem to use is CanFit Pro. It's fairly easy to get. Then you can start working and get a better certification. One of the ones I've been looking at getting is here: http://www.fitnesscertification.com/ Then I'd eventually like to get my BA so I can get the ACSM certification http://www.acsm.org/

[midgetcop]

Success!! Lo and behold I went to my YMCA yesterday and they had postings about a Fitness Leadership course that they'll be running soon! It will be a year long certification course, but will be broken up into smaller chunks throughout the year. I'm pretty sure it's going to be done through CanFit Pro somehow. Discount prices too for Y members. :

Talk about timing.

[Lift2Live]

Congrats on finding what sounds like is perfect for what you were looking for! :

[grambo]

Originally Posted by midgetcop

Grambo, are you Canadian? Because my findings apply to certification in the the Toronto area...not sure if this is a provincial or federal thing yet.

But so far I've found this page which points to fitness certification sources in Canada. I'm personally interested in the Humber College course which is local for me.They have a one year certificate course called Fitness Leadership. I'm not sure if that gives me some kind of official PT certification, but I'm assuming so.

yeah im toronto, thanks for putting up what you found :