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All certs are overrated

by Dennis Jackman
(ny u.s.)

Please people relax.I have been a trainer for 16 years.I train a pro hockey player.I give seminars to various school districts sports coaches.I am a successful trainer.You never need a cert from anywhere to be great at what you do.As long as you are able to learn the information on your own and have reasonable intelligence you will be fine.Most of what tests ask you is so far removed from being of any importance.Geez a sample question from NASM asks how many ACL injuries happen every year.Believe me that has no bearing.So too for many other questions.Just read everything you can and be perceptive of your clients actions.NASM needs to take off the lab coat and grab a pair of lifting straps.

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agree
by: Anonymous

Very well said. After working out for 25 years I have finally decided to get a personal training certification. I have learned a lot thru the training courses but some of things do seem a bit trivial and not that important when training someone.

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agreed
by: Matthew

I've been using weights for 27 years. I have a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I've trained lay people and fitness competitors on the national level. These tests have so little to do with the actual job. You can get certified, but never have had a piece of fitness equipment in your hand. I have friends who have become certified and work at a gym, but have never belonged to one before. Blind leading the blind.

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My thoughts
by: Anonymous

I would much rather be trained by someone with a CPT cert than someone who doesn't have one. This is just my opinion.

JC

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cert
by: Anonymous

No you don't need a cert to be a good trainer. But like stated above people are going to choice a certified trainer over a non-certified trainer most of the time. Not to mention that many gyms or clubs will not hire you without a cert.

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sure
by: Anonymous

I understand the blind leading the blind comment but all the test are there for is to make sure that we don't have any meat head needle junkies that don't know how to apply practical thought to a workout plan and whos second favorite exercise is head butting the wall and licking windows if you catch my drift. WE need to be educated that's plain and simple, this isn't high school people grow up. and just because you can do it without one and you train pro hockey players just proves that there are a select few out there with the right initiative. and the comment about the acl injuries was plain stupid. if you think not knowing about standard medical facts like that does not apply then you should not be trusted with any clients.

grow up and love to educate yourself on things your passionate about in life

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To be or not to be?
by: Anonymous

True Story: I am a 25 year vet of the recording industry. Multi-platinum sales on some of todays biggest stars. I wanted to offer my services, knowledge, wisdom, guidance, etc. to an unnamed arts school as a staff member. Although they had me as a guest speaker, twice, they declined my proposal. Why? All the instructors had BAs in this and Masters in that... but none of them had any where near 1/2 the success that I've had (In the real industry) with no degree... unless you count the School of Hard Knocks! Thats point number one.

Number two: I am 6', 245lbs. muscular for the most part. Most can very easily tell I lift and lift a lot. In fact, most see me as a football player, wrestler or some other kind of brut force... which is fine but, If I had a piece of paper backing up the obvious, I might actually be able to turn this love into a career too. So does the paper make the man or does the man make the paper? I say let the paper get you in and let your love keep you there!

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Overrated???
by: Anonymous

Would you hire a nanny for your kids who said, "I don't need no CPR certification, I pulled pulled a piece of steak out of my dads throat once, so I know what I'm doing." NOOOOOOOO If I owned a gym, I'm sure not gonna hire someone so arrogant and lazy that they can't study a few months for the certification and get his credentials...I'm not saying you don't know what you're doing, I'm just saying there's no reason to point a critical finger at those of us who care enough to seek out professional education before we jump into the training world...especially if we are looking for jobs in this field. I agree that ACL comment was stupid...NASM tells you flat out that there are 20 questions on the test that don't count...I'm guessing that's one of them...I'm just sayin'...

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I agree to disagree...
by: Anonymous

I am sorry, but I personally agree with the posters that stated the importance of obtaining a certification from a reputable school. It doesn't take very long, a few months at most. But probably a lot less with your experience. I don't believe anyone ever knows everything, and we are constantly evolving and growing in the areas of sports science and nutrition. I agree with you that experience is hugely important, but at the same time, I am sure there are new and evolving concepts that you could learn. Also, I do feel the the number of injuries of a particular body part are relevant, it is just an ezample of how many sports injuries can incur with improper training and form. Obtaining an education in any area is never a waste of time or money, knowledge is power. Experience is wonderful, but don't discredit learning and becoming an expert in your field.

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hi
by: Anonymous

certifications are totally overrated, I've played soccer my whole life and became a referee which you have to get certified for. The course was stupid and for the most part had nothing to do with soccer. Anyone who is good at what they do doesnt go totally by the books or care able stupid mindless facts, why would it matter how many acl tears their have been, knowing when your client has one is a different story but knowing how many happen on average in the U.S really what does that have to do with working out or nutrition nothing.

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hellooooooooo
by: Anonymous

In this day and age of law suits you sure as heck better be certified!!
And you better have good insurance which you cannot get as a trainer unless you prove that you have a "current" certification.
I can only believe that you would have to be very ignorant or just plan stupid to not understand the importance of being certified.
Just my opinion......

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Certs
by: Anonymous

The Certs are there just for looks. Everyone has mentioned this once in every reply. It is sad the people rely on a Certification in this type of field. Performing CPR on someone is a bit different than taking the time and personal training someone correctly. I am a State Paramedic and have pulled objects from many throats, and believe me, it takes more than my license to do that. It takes skill. Skill is from practice, and practice is about repetition. I believe the fly by night Certs, are nothing but a money maker. If it wasn't, then why are so many popping up everywhere? I have seen overweight certified personal trainers, and that does not look good at all for the industry. Just my Thoughts!

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Certs
by: Anonymous

I agree with everyones opinion on this matter. I first started my personal training w/out a cert. I eventually became NSCA-CPT, but was fortunate to be given a chance to work and achieve success without it. Having one helps build trust. Trust builds relationships, and relationship between trainer and client is the most important thing in this business. This being said, it doesn't hurt to get a cert. It makes everyone you around feel better about working with you (i.e. clients as well as employer). If you are confident in your abilities from years of fitness experience, than this cert process should be no problem. An incovenience maybe, but worth the effort. This is no different in attaining an undergraduate degree. To get your foot in the door for a prospective job, its easier if not necessary in most cases. Same could be said about a personal training cert. Just get one. It won't hurt, it will just help. Besides, you won't be able to attain insurance without one. People are quick to point blame to PT's if something goes awry. For those of you practicing without insurance, you should question how professional you are in this business.

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With Others Its Different
by: Vugar

Yes , You can afford to experiment and venture into all kinds of activities by yourself with your body, but with others it is different. you need the knowledge and certification. If you a'int had any law suits yet and you have been training without a certification you have simply been lucky.

I have been working out hard for about ten years, and have developed a lot of guys in the process, i am in the process of getting my certification because i know better than relying on luck.

Its only reasonable.just take a minute and imagine what life would be without professionals, if we relied on Medical services, dentistry, engineering, military etc just based on experience and not training.

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Certs are a business
by: Kimo

I have been involved in the industry for 50 years. I agree the Cert is needed to work in a major gym chain, to get insurance and protection from legal matters. But and this is a big but, I have seen very little evidence over the years of anyone with a cert being a good trainer with out much OJT. I mean OJT without the fitness gimmicks, and the pseudo science, just learn the basics. The Certs are a business first. After getting your Cert you won't have much of any interaction until it's time to renew. I have little use for any of them but it has become necessary for today, not because they produce better trainers but mainly it's an Industry standard. Take your pick they all are about the same. The accreditation process didn't change much. Just another layer of paper.

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