ISSA Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning
by Courtney S. Ellis
(San Antonio, Texas USA)
I recently took the Specialist in martial Arts Conditioning and I just passed the exam and the course was well worth the money. I had to sit down and really pay attention to what i was reading, this wasn't hard because the course material in quite interesting. I will continue to get certifications from ISSA. I am pleased with my certifications and I have grown wiser.
ISSA, Martial Arts, and the Economy
by Alexander Kervin
(King NC)
Hello! My name is Alexander Kervin. I am an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, an extreme Martial Artist with a 1st Kyu in Ninjutsu, and an ex ROTC Raider Commander.
As a Raider I got a first hand look at extreme physical fitness. We would workout for a total of 3 hours running with 150lb stretchers, doing pushups, sit-ups, etc, I'm not going to give you the full routine. The hardest workout we did was 45 minutes of straight pushups. If your knees touched the ground or you collapsed from exhaustion you got up and ran a mile. Two friends and I were the only ones who didn't have to run. After a while I became Raider Commander, and for the next two years trained 86 cadets at once, 5 times a week getting ready for competitions. Our first "Raider Meet" was the State Comp. There I earned the title of 4th fittest cadet in the state. Next year I earned the National Record for pushups in ROTC. 136 in 2 minutes. After that I earned the Top Athlete Award.
All the while doing that I was involved in Martial Arts and full contact sparring. I was sore, everyday, and I became a "lean mean, 8 pack ab, fighting machine". So as you can tell, I was "ONE" with physical fitness.
When I graduated I moved to North Carolina with family and got involved with ISSA. Soon I earned my personal trainer certification, as well as 1st Kyu in Ninjutsu. I was elated. For a season I pulled security on the club level for Wake Forrest Football, and then I decided to fulfill my career as an ISSA Trainer.
I was pretty confident, surely with a resume like mine I could get hired right...?
Wrong.
I went on a job finding kraze! Literally, I hit every gym within a 50 mile radius looking to get hired as personal trainer. I submitted at least 100 plus applications, even to the same place over and over, letting them know I was serious. My local YMCA was a real let down. I was bummed.
Soon I got an offer to buy a dojo in town. I was happy. Finally something to do, an accomplishment. Well... that fell through and I was informed I couldn't buy it.
Bummer.
Well it was back to the drawing board. But luckily I have 2 clients, for 15$ an hour. It's not much, but I could not be more happier when I am training someone.
And now for my mini rant.
I am sick and tired of job searching. I am christian and I believe that this is the career field God wants me in. I have been to gyms, and have met and talked with personal trainers. There is one gym (whose name I will not say) they only have one personal trainer who knows what they are doing, only 1 trainer who is a male, and 2 that are under the age of 35. A-lot of trainers I see around my area, are under-qaulified, poorly trained, and are not very fit them selves. (I may sound like I'm just being mean to people, but trust me I'm not). One of the gym's boxing teacher is a 41 year old lady who's overweight. I watched her class and was appalled at the lack of technique she taught her students. Technique that would get you socked in the nose or worse. Not to mention the "Boot Camp" teacher is at least 100 lbs overweight.
It just ticks me off that they would hire people like that over people who know what they are doing.
Alright true story. I went to apply at the ________ and was turned down. A week later they hire some young blond teenage girl, not even out of high school. Understandably furious I asked the manger why they hired her. "O, she plays softball". Was the answer.
I was very angry and replied with "I have 12 years of martial art experience and 4 years of of doing exercises the Army Rangers, and other Spec Ops do. I have State, National, and Regional Records in physical fitness! I am also certified with the ISSA! Is she even certified"?
The manager who was not happy with my outburst replied "No".
So to rap up, I have learned through constant downfall, that a sad part of the Personal Trainer world is full of biased people, under qualified trainers, and the economy is horrible. However, I love my job, I love training people, and will continue to look ahead and keep my hopes up. Perhaps one day I can live my dream out to it's fullest potential.
Work hard and remember "PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY"!
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