Training & Nutrition - ACE Certification (I hope)

I have today signed up for the American Council on Exercise Personal Trainer Certification Course.

This begins a new career for me in an area in which I have a great deal of interest. Wish me luck.

Good Luck! Let us know how it goes. This is also something I'm very interested in.

do you have a link to their info?
I have IFA Certification, it would be interesting to compare info
good luck to ya and good idea :)

Dnvr,
This isn't the same "personal trainer" program you told us about last summer/fall is it?

What made you decide to take the plunge on this program?

Good Luck

Go to it Denver! Man, I'd love to change careers!

Dnvr,
This isn't the same "personal trainer" program you told us about last summer/fall is it?

What made you decide to take the plunge on this program?

I checked with a lot of folks, including Koffee Brown (thanks), Ed Mayhew (fitterafter50.com - in whose book Nora and I are featured), a fitness forum and the local rec dept personal trainer honcho.

They all stated to go with one of the 3-4 fully recognizable and respected certifications (there are over 300).

Although the offerings of the traditional certifiers are quite "staid," the programs are recognized by everyone. Once I have the basic knowledge, I can then add other certifications as needed and appropriate.

do you have a link to their info?
I have IFA Certification, it would be interesting to compare info
good luck to ya and good idea :)

http://www.acefitness.org/

Go to it Denver! Man, I'd love to change careers!

I have resigned from teaching next year. Things in oublic education are absolutely INSANE - at least around here. The national testing programs have literally (IMHO) ruined education as I see it - the "No Child Left Behind" law is crazy, also. This was topped off by a new principal in our school who has absolutely no understanding of the word "collegiality" and treats the teachers as if they were mushrooms sitting in *hit!

So, enough of that!

I have wanted to do this for a long time, and am financially able to do it. I plan on doing some substituting next year while getting some sort of a training business going.

I would like to emphasize older adults, such as myself. There is a lot of national interest in obesity. We live in a highly lucrative suburb with a lot if interest in fitness.

My wife comments that the personal trainers at our gym all looks so "buff" and are so young they are intimidating to older folks. Guess I won't have that problem. :D Hope it all works out!

I have today signed up for the American Council on Exercise Personal Trainer Certification Course.

This begins a new career for me in an area in which I have a great deal of interest. Wish me luck.

Wish I had seen this sooner. Although ACE is respectable, they don't offer much unless you are going the way of an aerobics/class type instructor. Seeing as how you look at addressing the older crowd, you really need something that will deal with special populations more. I highly recomend you consider getting NASM, ACSM or NSCA certified, those being in the order of who I would go with first. NASM offers hands on seminars which you can go for a couple days and then take the test on the last, as opposed to just doing that at home study. You may want to look at the local university as many are offering courses in conjunction with many of these agencies to get individuals abetter understanding of the material as well as recieve college credit. If not that, atleast looking into a kinesiology class to give you a more in depth understanding beyond the certification. You do more rehab based work with older clients as opposed to strength training. You have to in order for them to get any benefit out of the strength training or you will wind up taking a step back as opposed to forward with them.

While it is true there probably are about 300 certification agencies/boards, only about 6 really get any respect anymore. NASM, ACSM, NSCA, ACE, AFFA and a maybe a few others. Most credable gyms won't hire you without one those anymore, which is a good thing for those of us who value what we do.

Good luck, DnvrFox! I'm sure there's a great market out there for a trainer who can give realistic guidance and help the more mature folk feel comfortable and less intimidated about exercise.

Wish I had seen this sooner. Although ACE is respectable, they don't offer much unless you are going the way of an aerobics/class type instructor. Seeing as how you look at addressing the older crowd, you really need something that will deal with special populations more. I highly recomend you consider getting NASM, ACSM or NSCA certified, those being in the order of who I would go with first. NASM offers hands on seminars which you can go for a couple days and then take the test on the last, as opposed to just doing that at home study. You may want to look at the local university as many are offering courses in conjunction with many of these agencies to get individuals abetter understanding of the material as well as recieve college credit. If not that, atleast looking into a kinesiology class to give you a more in depth understanding beyond the certification. You do more rehab based work with older clients as opposed to strength training. You have to in order for them to get any benefit out of the strength training or you will wind up taking a step back as opposed to forward with them.

While it is true there probably are about 300 certification agencies/boards, only about 6 really get any respect anymore. NASM, ACSM, NSCA, ACE, AFFA and a maybe a few others. Most credable gyms won't hire you without one those anymore, which is a good thing for those of us who value what we do.

Well, I am going ahead with the ACE. Paid my money. I get continuous conflicting advice, so I made my choice. One nice thing is that you can get multiply certified. Also, some of the certifications you mentioned require a college degree in a related area, which I do not have.

Oh so confusing!

My goal at the present time is not to do corrective or rehab type stuff. It is to take healthy folks who are not into exercising, nutrition and general strength training (but know they need to) and getting them on this road.

Last summer, my wife and I took the "Body for Life" course sponsored by our local rec center. What was amazing was that the course was sold out many times over. They offered it several times, each time sold out.

This is the population I am aiming at. Folks who know they need a push and a shove and some discipline, and some instruction on techniques. Nutrition, aerobics and basic strength training.

When I say my target is "older adults" I am not referring to those in their 80's and 90's, specifically. Folks 40+ would be great. At 64 yo, perhaps I can be sort of a role model.

Well, I am going ahead with the ACE. Paid my money. I get continuous conflicting advice, so I made my choice. One nice thing is that you can get multiply certified. Also, some of the certifications you mentioned require a college degree in a related area, which I do not have.

Oh so confusing!

My goal at the present time is not to do corrective or rehab type stuff. It is to take healthy folks who are not into exercising, nutrition and general strength training (but know they need to) and getting them on this road.

Last summer, my wife and I took the "Body for Life" course sponsored by our local rec center. What was amazing was that the course was sold out many times over. They offered it several times, each time sold out.

This is the population I am aiming at. Folks who know they need a push and a shove and some discipline, and some instruction on techniques. Nutrition, aerobics and basic strength training.

When I say my target is "older adults" I am not referring to those in their 80's and 90's, specifically. Folks 40+ would be great. At 64 yo, perhaps I can be sort of a role model.

Only the NSCA CSCS requires a degree or that you be a senior in standing at college. That is strength and conditioning specific cert., which would benefit those looking to be a conditioning coach at the college or higher level.

I was addressing that your goal range be the 40+ crowd. Don't get sucked into the notion that personal training is take some knowledge, then go motivate someone under the advice of that knowledge. These are typically people who have been sedentary for 5 + years easy. During that time they have acquired many postural deviations to years of repetitive motions (sitting at a desk typing on the computer), excessive weight, etc. Before you can go make them stronger more active, etc., some of these things need addressing. If not, you can compound existing problems or in fact help to create them. Stretching will be one of your biggest prescriptions and activites you will be having many of your clients doing, especially in that age group.

Don't take my lack of enthusiasm for the ACE certification as trying to deter you. I applaud your interest in doing it right and not getting some any name endorsement. Al I am saying is that one of the other cert. will serve you better in terms of being a successful trainer, and by no means do I think one cert. covers it all. I have and will always continue to acquire some more knowledge, be it endorsements or other forms of training.

I currently have a BS in Kinesiology and the NSCA-CPT endorsement. I am speaking of current experience in this field; not hearse or what was done 10 years ago. Clients are like children, some take our guidance and others are rebels. You have to earn their respect and show results. Every minute you are with a client, you have people critiquing your every move, even on your own time.

I wish you luck on your exam.

Thank you for your insightful comments.

However, they are inconsistent with

1. My and my wife's observations as we worked with a personal fitness trainer for 6 months this last year.

2. The personal fitness trainers as I see them practice in our local rec center

3. The personal fitness trainers as I see them practice at my own gym

4. Advice I have received from the Director of personal training at out large rec center (who employs 9 ACE and other certified personal fitness trainers), the owner of our gym - who currently employs 6 certified (ACE and others) fitness trainers , and advice I have received on fitness forums from folks in private practice (some of whom do rehab-type of training) with studios, etc., all of whom feel the ACE certification is the best starting point.

So, I wish you well, but will continue on the course I have chosen. Again, thanks for your insights. I hope, once I finish the ACE certificate, to expand beyond into other programs.

Denver,

I've said it before, and I will say it again. You are the MAN ! I totally agree with you that middle age people are intimidated by younger buffed out gymrats. People can learn from you, because you have been there. Why should someone in their 50's on up listen to some 19 year old punk. He doesn't yet know the aches and pains of maturity yet. I think people will relate to you better. And people can use you as a means of inspiration. I know I do.

Good Luck,

Jeff

I have today signed up for the American Council on Exercise Personal Trainer Certification Course.

This begins a new career for me in an area in which I have a great deal of interest. Wish me luck.

Good luck with your new choice! I hope it brings you great satisfaction, and a new living. Good for you!!!!! :)

Way to go! As a fellow teacher, I empathize with your opinion of the state of the profession. My school system is coming off a year during which it has been run by a "management turn-around company." The board of ed. paid these yahoos $5 million plus a few fistfulls more for expenses. They have done a pretty good job of wasting our money and cutting staff. The way I figure it, if you're going to hire someone to take the system down the tubes, you ought to pay for quality people to do it.

Good luck with your certification classes.

Denver, I applaud you for taking the bull by the horns and doing what you want. Changing jobs and persuing what you want. Good luck and with the test and the new challange!