personal training certification

[cally836]

HI I'm a personal trainer and I need an oppinion I'm going to take one off this two certification which on should I take first and why ACSM or NSCA? in the future Im going to hab=ve bioth but for money reason i can take just one for now so which one and why?

[MostMuscle]

Both are very good with the ACSM Personal Trainer certification being a fairly new program. I would say the only difference would be the actual associations differ in focus NSCA more performance related and ASCM more clinical. Both should serve you well.

Congrats!

[Merrida]

With ASCM don't you need a degree? (Similar to CSCS?)

[AlienWebgu]

Sorry for the late bump on this but no you only need a high school degree now. They changed that a couple years ago.

[trainerty]

Originally Posted by Merrida

With ASCM don't you need a degree? (Similar to CSCS?)

I know they prefer you going towards a degree for ACSM (at least they used to). NSCA does not need a degree, but yes the CSCS extension you need a B.S. degree.

[wilsonk92]

I am both NSCA, NASM, and ACSM certified. Both are great certifications. If you have an idea of where you want to work in the future maybe see what certification that particular employer prefers. I would personally recommend NSCA just because you learn more, the material is much detailed, and the exam is much harder than the ACSM exam. You need to know your stuff to pass it. NASM is also another great certification.

[Merrida]

I hated NASM. Mostly because it's too formulaic, created by a physical therapists who puts everyone through the same paces, same levels, regardless.

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