| There are many different types of personal training | | | | and other fitness professionals. The CSCS or |
| certifications in the fitness industry. The United | | | | Certified Strength Conditioning Specialist credential is |
| States federal and state governments have not | | | | highly respected since the exam is very |
| regulated personal training so there are no laws to | | | | comprehensive. A candidate taking the exam must |
| specify whether or not a fitness professional should | | | | know exercise science and have knowledge in |
| have certain credentials. A law might be passed | | | | strength training. |
| someday that would ensure all personal trainers must | | | | The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is |
| have an exercise related four year degree and a | | | | referred to as the gold standard in the fitness |
| specific personal training certification. Until a law is | | | | industry. This is mainly because it has a clinical |
| passed and enforced, there will be no regulation on | | | | approach and addresses risk factors and injuries a |
| personal trainers and what they need to be qualified. | | | | client might have. The American College of Sports |
| Having trained clients for several years, I have | | | | Medicine is often referenced to in many text books |
| decided to research what are often considered the | | | | since they are the organization that has established |
| top four certifying agencies. The National Strength | | | | guidelines in fitness. Fitness professionals who have |
| and Conditioning Association, the American College of | | | | achieved a certification through the American College |
| Sports Medicine, the National Academy of Sports | | | | of Sports Medicine usually work in a clinical, hospital |
| Medicine and the American Council on Exercise rank | | | | like setting. |
| among the top certifying agencies. When a personal | | | | The National Academy of Sports Medicine ( NASM) is |
| trainer does not hold a certification from one of | | | | becoming more recognized in the industry. The |
| these agencies, it does not necessarily mean they | | | | National Academy of Sports Medicine specializes in |
| are not qualified but most reputable trainers will have | | | | post-rehabilitation and also has a certification for |
| a certification from at least one of these. A trainer | | | | sports performance. The certifications offered by |
| with an exercise related degree might not make a | | | | NASM might be helpful for clients with postural and |
| trainer qualified either. Whether or not a trainer has | | | | orthopedic issues. |
| some experience is also another factor. Multiple | | | | The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a popular |
| variables should be determined before hiring a | | | | organization among exercise professionals. Most |
| personal trainer. | | | | fitness professionals view the American Council on |
| The National Strength and Conditioning Association | | | | Exercise as having a reputable but entry level |
| published a study in 2002 in which investigators used | | | | certifications. It is not uncommon for a personal |
| the Fitness Instructors Knowledge Assessment. This | | | | trainer to seek an ACE certification as their first |
| assessment tests personal trainers on knowledge in | | | | certification since it is a good foundation. |
| areas like nutrition, health screening testing protocols, | | | | To minimize risks and maximize the chance for |
| exercise prescription and special populations. The | | | | success, clients should look for one of the |
| research study showed the trainers with a formal | | | | certifications that I listed above. It is also important |
| education were more knowledgeable. More than half | | | | that a personal trainer is experienced working with |
| of the personal trainers with the study did not have | | | | different types of clients and hold an exercise related |
| degrees. The trainers without degrees scored 31% | | | | degree. Unfortunately, there are many trainers today |
| less than those that did. The study found that | | | | that are not degreed or certified. This can create a |
| personal trainers with a Bachelor's or Master's in | | | | problem because a personal trainer with no |
| exercise science will have a deeper understand of | | | | qualifications is more likely to put a client at a higher |
| exercise physiology and the human body. | | | | risk of injury. |
| Most certifying agencies will require bachelor's degree | | | | People who are hiring a trainer for the first time need |
| in an exercise related field. Most advanced personal | | | | to ask the trainer about their background. When a |
| training certifications will require a degree as a | | | | trainer does not meet specific requirements it can be |
| prerequisite to take the exam. Both the American | | | | detrimental to a client. The debate remains whether |
| College of Sport Medicine and the National Strength | | | | or not action will be taken someday for personal |
| and Conditioning Association have certifications that | | | | trainers to uphold certain standards and there are no |
| will require a Bachelor's degree as a prerequisite to | | | | federal regulations coming in the near future. |
| take the exam. Personal trainers that posses an | | | | Unfortunately, unless a law is made and enforced, |
| exercise related degree are likely to be serious about | | | | many personal trainers in the fitness industry will |
| fitness as a career choice and not a hobby. | | | | remain without specific certifications and exercise |
| The National Strength and Conditioning Association | | | | related degrees. |
| (NSCA) is recognized by collegiate strength coaches | | | | |