Do I need a personal training certification?

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Do I need a personal training certification?

by Russell
(Savannah, GA)

I am considering starting my own personal training business or working through a gym as a trainer. I have 4 years experience in varied and intense physical activities through my work in the Army Special operations. I have spent months teaching "functional" fitness to small groups.

My problem is that the type of training I would like to teach is not very mainstream and uses functional full-body movements, Olympic lifts, and cross-training to achieve over all fitness. I never use machines, never isolate muscles, and never, ever do the same workout twice. This type of training is similar to that of CROSSFIT, or that taught by Mark Twight (gymjones.com)

I know it's very helpful to have a certification, but will a certification from a group such as ACE really teach me anything I can use or will I be learning to implement a program I don't wish to use? My goal is to teach my current techniques and program without compromise, but I need more credibility as a trainer don't I? If so where should I go to get it and what kind of certification do I need?

I would love to get any advice on this subject I can.

thank you,

Russell

Rating

Personal Trainer Certification is a must
by: Katie - Admin

If you intend to work in a gym you will need some reputable certification to get you the job. If you are training clients independently, you may get away without a certification but many clients are getting more sophisticated and will ask you about your education and certification.

But either way, you need insurance. And you will struggle to find liability insurance if you are not certified. So go get a certification even if you don't agree with every aspect of the program. You just need to realize that "no compromises" doesn't work when it comes to safety. If you take unnecessary risks as a personal trainer you will get in trouble quickly.

- Katie

Rating

Fitness Certification
by: Fitness By Reese

Having a certification establishes you as a professional. It is a worth while investment. Operating without one puts you at risk for lawsuit from clients since you cant get liability insurance without one and you can always learn more when it comes to fitness. No matter how good you are, no one knows everything. I do continuing education courses fairly frequently and always pick up new tips and ideas. So get that cert. IFTA is a good one to start with. Its fairly priced and very detailed. Then look to add to your education from there.

Do I need a personal training certification?

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Do I need a personal training certification?