ISSA certification in seven months

by Lana
(California)

Great customer service. It took me seven months to complete the ISSA certification online and I really learned a lot. It really breaks it down so you understand the material. I highly recommend it because it is accepted at a lot of gyms in my area. Make sure you call different gyms first before you buy a cert to see if it is even accepted.

ISSA CFT: It's real... only not.

I'm a CFT through ISSA and while the course is in fact a real certification... It isn't thought of as such by chain gyms.

I was hoping to work at 24hour fitness but now I find that I'll need a different cert to work at almost any big gym.

Hope this helps.

ISSA was great

by Pam
(Northeast)

I just recently passed my ISSA CFT certification exam. I selected the ISSA over ACE as I could only take the course on-line and concluded eight months to complete was enough time. I work full-time and have 2 children, so their course was a perfect fit for me and my busy lifestyle. I completed the course in 6 months, and passed the first time well above the minimum grade.

I must admit the on-line exam was more difficult than I expected, and I certainly complained about it. HOWEVER, by the time I completed the entire exam, I had a change of heart. The difficulty of the essay questions really pulled everything I learned together. I felt proud that I understood, and was able to answer the essay questions well beyond the 250 word minimum. Anyone can take a True/False/Multiple Choice exam with an open book and pass. I felt the essay and case studies really drove everything home.

I am happy and proud to be ISSA certified. I know how hard I worked to achieve my certification. I recommend the ISSA for CFT certification. I would challenge anyone who think otherwise. Let's see you take the on-line test, and see what you think.

ISSA certification in 4 months

by Dan
(Ann Arbor, MI)

I started the ISSA personal training certification in early 2005. I worked on it while working at a health club. It took me four months to complete it but I devoted a few hours every weekend and on a lot of weekdays to get it done. I passed the test on the first try, mostly because the practice test helped me focus my studies.

Good program but expensive.

by Fed up with high renewal fees
(texas)

I am beginning to see the fitness industry as a money generating scam? ISSA is great for educating you as a personal trainer, and their Sports Nutrition certification is awsome.

What is not so great is their costs.
You have to recertify every two years, with CEU's.
I have nothing against CEU's, and actually believe it is a necessary tool. However, no certification should be voided if you do not meet your CEU's in a timely manner. IF you fail to meet the requirements, you will not be certified anymore. And you have to recertify, or pay high reinstatement fees, in addition to the CEU's.

I wish a good certifying body would provide a Personal Trainer Diploma, or a lifetime certification. Once you have passed the certification and educated yourself, you are a trainer.

Never void a certification, for non timely CEUs. If you lapse, the organization can put you as inactive, and once you have your CEUs up to date, they can reactivate your certification, with a minimal reactivation fee.

My advice to save money as a Certified Personal Trainer, depending on where you are working. Take and get certified with a well organized certification agency. Keep all your paperwork, and certificates, continue to take CEUs, and maintain your records for the courses. Now get your cheap certification, just so people can be impressed by a certificate. You can go from $600 plus every two years, to as low as $140 every to years to be a current certified personal trainer. This is in addition to your CEUs.


Another way to save a little is just retake the main certification every two years. It always comes out cheaper, then maintaing CEUs and paying renewal fees.

Come on lets get some dignity in the personal training arena.

I personally am going this route, because finding CEUs can be difficult, some organizations only accept a few vendor CEUs. ISSA appears to accept the most CEUs from most vendors.

I have been certified through them for 5 years, with CEUs. All my knowledge and experience is still with me. So I am tired of paying all these high renewal fees. I have all my documentation, and will get a lesser known cheaper certification for a current certification.
Now I have the education, and will be saving myself some serious cash from now on.

My ISSA Review

by Brandy Wilkinson-Warren
(Cole Camp, Mo. USA)

I have completed the ISSA CFT certification and am glad I did. There was the support that was promised and the course was very detailed. I feel like I have gained the knowledge needed to be successful in my personal training business. I am now currently taking the Youth Fitness Trainer course and am loving it!

Brandy Wilkinson-Warren
www.truetechniques.com

LOVE ISSA!!!!

by Matt
(PA)

The material is very detailed yet easy to understand. If you put in the time it is a very reasonable test to complete. They give you plenty of time to take the test, I am a full time college student studying physical therapy so I am kept very busy, but in a year i have almost completed the program. I have learned a lot, it was well worth the money.

ISSA CFNS

I was about to sign up to get the CFNS until I started reading reviews.. Please give me your honest advice about starting the program. Is there a better company or are they all BS on the net? I am just beginning this and it is a strong interest and hobby but definitely cannot afford to waste my time or money! Please help me decide what is best for me.

THank you,
Bethany

ISSA gets my vote

by Gordon
(Chicago, IL)

I think ISSA is doing a lot of things right. They aren't the biggest name in the industry but their program is recognized and highly regarded. Being able to take the tests online without the pressure of traveling to a testing center or worrying about having to pay a fee to retake the exam is great.