More Education: NSCA, ACSM, ISSA?

David Hughes · 08-19-2009, 02:27 PM

My education background is in the arts and business, not sports, health or fitness. I am learning a great deal about programming, nutrition, technique, etc. through the CF Journal, CF Board and the main site. I am also registered for a CF Level I Certification in November.

Would a certification through NSCA, ACSM, or ISSA be a good route for me to increase knowledge on anatomy, bio-mechanics, etc? Any opinions or recommendations would be appreciated?

Steven Matheson · 08-19-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hughes

My education background is in the arts and business, not sports, health or fitness. I am learning a great deal about programming, nutrition, technique, etc. through the CF Journal, CF Board and the main site. I am also registered for a CF Level I Certification in November.

Would a certification through NSCA, ACSM, or ISSA be a good route for me to increase knowledge on anatomy, bio-mechanics, etc? Any opinions or recommendations would be appreciated?

If you intend on charging people to workout, then IMO, you need to have as much education as possible. NSCA is the gold-standard and requires a 4-year degree in an exercise science to qualify to take the CSCS exam.

David Hughes · 08-19-2009, 06:05 PM

I knew the NSCA required a 4-year degree, but I don't think it has to be in exercise science. I thought it could be any BA or BS. The NSCA sites states "Registrants must submit an original, official transcript of their academic work, showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree (BS/BA) or chiropractic medicine degree granted by an accredited institution."

Do you know where it states the degree has to be in exercise science?

Gorm Stokkland · 08-20-2009, 12:09 PM

Last time I checked (Summer of '08) It didn't require a degree in exercise physiology, but it does require a 4-year degree, or proof that you are in your senior semester. The recommendation is to be a exercise phys or equivalent major, which will help prepare you to take this exam.

"Prerequisites

Registrants must submit an original, official transcript of their academic work, showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree (BS/BA) or chiropractic medicine degree granted by an accredited institution. College seniors can also take the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam; however, they must be currently enrolled in an accredited institution.* For college seniors, the NSCA Certification will not release exam scores until transcripts verifying graduation and noting the degree earned have been received.** " -NSCA

Blair Robert Lowe · 08-20-2009, 03:12 PM

Couldn't hurt take some classes like physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, etc.

There is some in the CFJ regarding Rip besides SS. There has gotta be more books out there or mini courses by ISSA/NSCA/all the others.

Steven Matheson · 08-20-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hughes

Do you know where it states the degree has to be in exercise science?

I was tripping over my tongue and I was wrong. Tough test to pass (anecdotal) though.

Tamara Cohen · 08-21-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hughes

I am also registered for a CF Level I Certification in November.

Hey, David...just curious, are you doing the Nov 21-22 cert in Atlanta? I'm going to that one. 3 months from today...

Steven Low · 08-22-2009, 06:18 PM

Buy an anatomy and/or biomechanics book.

Or read a lot of quality sources on the Internet.

Certs are minimum knowledge for doing X. You are required to know a certain amount, but by no means is it a lot.

NSCA CSCS is any BS/BA degree.

David Hughes · 08-22-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamara Cohen

Hey, David...just curious, are you doing the Nov 21-22 cert in Atlanta? I'm going to that one. 3 months from today...

Hey Tamara, no I'm not attending Atlanta, it is closer to me but it was filled by the time I decided to do a certification so I'm going to Dallas...

Mike Mallory · 08-22-2009, 08:23 PM

IMO, all the national certs aren't worth the money......

Just go to the library and stock up.

My exercise science degree (Integrative Physiology, CU), was such the biggest waste of money I can imagine.

The only class that was useful was the cadaver lab, which is available outside the college. I would highly recommend going to one of those courses, other than that, just grab some PT textbooks and go nuts

08-19-2009, 02:27 PM	#1
David Hughes Member Profile: Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mobile AL Posts: 21	More Education: NSCA, ACSM, ISSA? My education background is in the arts and business, not sports, health or fitness. I am learning a great deal about programming, nutrition, technique, etc. through the CF Journal, CF Board and the main site. I am also registered for a CF Level I Certification in November. Would a certification through NSCA, ACSM, or ISSA be a good route for me to increase knowledge on anatomy, bio-mechanics, etc? Any opinions or recommendations would be appreciated?

08-19-2009, 06:05 PM	#3
David Hughes Member Profile: Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mobile AL Posts: 21	Re: More Education: NSCA, ACSM, ISSA? I knew the NSCA required a 4-year degree, but I don't think it has to be in exercise science. I thought it could be any BA or BS. The NSCA sites states "Registrants must submit an original, official transcript of their academic work, showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree (BS/BA) or chiropractic medicine degree granted by an accredited institution." Do you know where it states the degree has to be in exercise science?

08-20-2009, 12:09 PM	#4
Gorm Stokkland Member Profile: Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 13	Re: More Education: NSCA, ACSM, ISSA? Last time I checked (Summer of '08) It didn't require a degree in exercise physiology, but it does require a 4-year degree, or proof that you are in your senior semester. The recommendation is to be a exercise phys or equivalent major, which will help prepare you to take this exam. "Prerequisites Registrants must submit an original, official transcript of their academic work, showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree (BS/BA) or chiropractic medicine degree granted by an accredited institution. College seniors can also take the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam; however, they must be currently enrolled in an accredited institution.* For college seniors, the NSCA Certification will not release exam scores until transcripts verifying graduation and noting the degree earned have been received.** " -NSCA
	Last edited by Gorm Stokkland; 08-20-2009 at 12:13 PM..

08-20-2009, 03:12 PM	#5
Blair Robert Lowe Member Profile: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 7,948	Re: More Education: NSCA, ACSM, ISSA? Couldn't hurt take some classes like physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, etc. There is some in the CFJ regarding Rip besides SS. There has gotta be more books out there or mini courses by ISSA/NSCA/all the others.
	__________________ https://www.facebook.com/strength.sessions/

08-22-2009, 06:18 PM	#8
Steven Low Member Profile: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: silver spring maryland Posts: 12,221	Re: More Education: NSCA, ACSM, ISSA? Buy an anatomy and/or biomechanics book. Or read a lot of quality sources on the Internet. Certs are minimum knowledge for doing X. You are required to know a certain amount, but by no means is it a lot. NSCA CSCS is any BS/BA degree.
	__________________ Posts are NOT medical, training, nutrition info Bodyweight Article, Overcoming Gravity Book

08-22-2009, 08:23 PM	#10
Mike Mallory Member Profile: Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Denver CO Posts: 694	Re: More Education: NSCA, ACSM, ISSA? IMO, all the national certs aren't worth the money...... Just go to the library and stock up. My exercise science degree (Integrative Physiology, CU), was such the biggest waste of money I can imagine. The only class that was useful was the cadaver lab, which is available outside the college. I would highly recommend going to one of those courses, other than that, just grab some PT textbooks and go nuts
	__________________ Foam rollers suck!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Anyone taken the ACSM - HFS certification test?	Evan Hobbs	Fitness	5	04-07-2009 06:45 PM
For all ISSA trainers or those looking for PT cert	Sara Fleming	Community	15	01-19-2009 11:34 AM
The ACSM on Free weights vs. Machines	Neal Winkler	Fitness	22	12-06-2005 10:09 AM
ISSA	Michael Pearce	Running a CrossFit Facility	5	08-12-2005 06:58 AM