Bike Forums

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)
-   Training & Nutrition (https://www.bikeforums.net/training-nutrition/)
-   -   Are you certified? (https://www.bikeforums.net/training-nutrition/266239-you-certified.html)

Machka 02-03-07 07:45 PM

Are you certified?
 
I'm wondering if anyone here is either a certified coach, or someone who has a degree or diploma in physical education or kinesiology or something along those lines.

If you are a certified coach, what is your certification? What did you have to do to acquire it ... what steps did you go through? Is your certification provincial/state ... or national?

Machka 02-06-07 12:28 AM

Does no one here have ANY education in fitness and nutrition?? Surely there are a few people who have taken some courses or something!!

JPradun 02-06-07 12:56 AM

I just became a USA Cycling Level 3 certified coach. It's a really easy exam, honestly. I'll take the level 2 next year when I can afford the $350 fee, or if/when a coaching company that I will intern with is willing to pay it for me.

With that being said, I've read enough books on periodization, fitness, nutrition, etc etc to know my fair share. My girlfriend is a dietitian, and I've cleaned out my local library and Barnes & Noble. Most of what you learn is through experience. I'm a mechanical engineering major, so power is a familiar concept. I will probably go to grad school for Applied Exercise Physiology and hopefully coach the Olympic cycling team if I don't start my own business/get an excellent job.

Go to usacycling.org and order the level 3 manual. It's $30 and impossible to miss. Yearly registration is $85, but they're adding a $20 fee for a criminal background check.

kuan 02-06-07 07:47 AM

I depend on you guys here for my education. :)

Karpems 02-06-07 07:50 AM


Originally Posted by Machka
Does no one here have ANY education in fitness and nutrition?? Surely there are a few people who have taken some courses or something!!

Does Medical School count?:D :D :D :D :D :D

tibikefor2 02-06-07 08:00 AM


Originally Posted by Machka
I'm wondering if anyone here is either a certified coach, or someone who has a degree or diploma in physical education or kinesiology or something along those lines.

If you are a certified coach, what is your certification? What did you have to do to acquire it ... what steps did you go through? Is your certification provincial/state ... or national?

Machka:

I am not a certified coach, but a friend of mine is a Training Peaks coach www.traningpeaks.com

I talk to him on a daily basis and pass a lot of the information that I have learned from him to people on the forum. To date, he has worked with me on nutrition, strength training, effective intervals. ultra-distance racing and periodization. Currently I am on an anerobic threshold month.

aham23 02-06-07 08:36 AM

yeah, a certified nut, i am. later.

Machka 02-06-07 08:32 PM


Originally Posted by aham23
yeah, a certified nut, i am. later.

I figured someone would come up with a comment like that sooner or later! :D

Machka 02-06-07 08:33 PM


Originally Posted by Karpems
Does Medical School count?:D :D :D :D :D :D


Ummmmm ..... well-l-l-l-l ....... I guess .....



;) :D

aikigreg 02-06-07 10:19 PM

I am a CSCS. Certified strength and conditioning specialist. It's a national cert. provided by the NSCA. It's a fairly tough test. and you can sort of consider it like a fitness specialist - not like the know-nothing trainers at the gym - this includes REAL knowledge of how to improve athletic performance and includes nutritonal aspects as well.

requirements are at:
http://www.nsca-cc.org/


Why do you ask?

vger285 02-08-07 02:07 PM

I slept at the Holiday Inn Express last night, does that count?

kuan 02-09-07 07:55 AM


Originally Posted by aikigreg
I am a CSCS. Certified strength and conditioning specialist. It's a national cert. provided by the NSCA. It's a fairly tough test. and you can sort of consider it like a fitness specialist - not like the know-nothing trainers at the gym - this includes REAL knowledge of how to improve athletic performance and includes nutritonal aspects as well.

requirements are at:
http://www.nsca-cc.org/


Why do you ask?

Wow! That's pretty cool. I always wondered why the gym trainers were such dipsticks. Those sample questions are pretty in depth!

Edit: My massage therapist is a CSCS I just noticed in her sigfile.

aikigreg 02-09-07 09:40 AM


Originally Posted by kuan
Wow! That's pretty cool. I always wondered why the gym trainers were such dipsticks. Those sample questions are pretty in depth!

Edit: My massage therapist is a CSCS I just noticed in her sigfile.

You can be certified as a trainer in a couple hours on the weekend. While not as advanced as a degree in kinestesiology or exercise science, at least the CSCS requires a 4 year degree of some kind before you can even take the test :)

Machka 02-10-07 03:59 PM


Originally Posted by aikigreg
I am a CSCS. Certified strength and conditioning specialist. It's a national cert. provided by the NSCA. It's a fairly tough test. and you can sort of consider it like a fitness specialist - not like the know-nothing trainers at the gym - this includes REAL knowledge of how to improve athletic performance and includes nutritonal aspects as well.

requirements are at:
http://www.nsca-cc.org/


Why do you ask?


I've started the process to get my Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification. http://www.provincialfitnessunit.ca/aflca.php

I've taken the basic Fitness Theory course and have registered for my first specialty - Resistance Training. If all goes well, I'll take the exams for both in March.

The requirements for the certification are the basic course (16 hours), at least one specalty (16 hours), exams for each, 7 hours of practical experience, a current first aid/CPR, and a presentation before a panel of "judges" (practical observation) http://www.provincialfitnessunit.ca/...=certification

Although I don't need a degree to get this certification, if I want to become a personal trainer or if I wanted to teach fitness, I would. It is preferred that personal trainers etc. have a degree in Physical Education or Kinesiology. However, I am going for a Bachelor of Education and I've already taken Kinesiology, Physical Education, and an applicable Biology. The following courses are recommended: Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, and related courses so I plan to include them, or some of them, in my last two years of University.


So I ask because I'm interested to know who else here might have gone through similar certification process. :)

BikeCoachDave 02-15-07 09:36 AM

Yep, Level 2 USAC coach here. But remember, there have been entry level 3 coaches who have help create World Champions, and Level 1 coaches who only work with beginners. Experience and the application of knowledge really overrides certification levels. Ive worked with brilliant doctors, and doctors who seemed to really struggle with basic periodization principles. Certifications are a place to start when looking for the right person to work with, but a good conversation with them will really tell you if they are right for you. I recently had a conversation with an old school trainer who was touting principles that were generally accepted 3 decades ago, but have long been disproven or shown ineffective. Yet this person seemed to be stuck at a certain place in time as far as his/her understanding of training and adaptations. Good coaches, trainers, physicians and the like really need to try and keep up with the newer and more effective methods and practices. Luckily we are seeing a lot more of this in recent years, and a lot of that is likely due to this here new-fangled interweb. ;)


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:36 PM.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.