Hello. I'm brand new here.
I have recently decided I'd like to take a personal trainer certification course through my local community college. They are offering personal trainer certification through "World Instructor Training Schools" - witseducation.com/
This course is a 30 hour course over 5 weeks, plus 20 hours of internship at a health club that is require before you take the exam. While I know this is a good amount of training, I've never seen this certification as "accepted" by gyms and health clubs that have job postings. It seems like the course is more comprehensive than, say, the ACE certification program, which is only a home study program and/or a 2 day seminar to prepare you for the exam.
Could I expect to be able to get a job in a gym as an entry level personal trainer with this certification? I know I will need to get continuing ed. credits and I plan to continue my education indefinitely. But I'm just concerned if I'll be able to work in a health club right away or if I'll need more certifications before I can do that.
BTW, I've been studying bellydance for 15 years and have been teaching group fitness-oriented bellydance classes for about 5 years already. So, I just figured becoming a personal trainer would be a natural progression for me.
I have recently decided I'd like to take a personal trainer certification course through my local community college. They are offering personal trainer certification through "World Instructor Training Schools" - witseducation.com/
This course is a 30 hour course over 5 weeks, plus 20 hours of internship at a health club that is require before you take the exam. While I know this is a good amount of training, I've never seen this certification as "accepted" by gyms and health clubs that have job postings. It seems like the course is more comprehensive than, say, the ACE certification program, which is only a home study program and/or a 2 day seminar to prepare you for the exam.
Could I expect to be able to get a job in a gym as an entry level personal trainer with this certification? I know I will need to get continuing ed. credits and I plan to continue my education indefinitely. But I'm just concerned if I'll be able to work in a health club right away or if I'll need more certifications before I can do that.
BTW, I've been studying bellydance for 15 years and have been teaching group fitness-oriented bellydance classes for about 5 years already. So, I just figured becoming a personal trainer would be a natural progression for me.
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New York
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Re: Is this a good program?
Tue, November 27, 2007 - 4:57 AMHi Willow:
I'm a personal trainer in New York and have also been a consultant on five bellydance fitness DVDs so we have a lot in common. I'm not familiar with the certification you mentioned which might mean that most gyms won't be either. My feeling is why go through all the effort of getting a certification if you don't know that it will serve you're purpose? If you like the program I recommend checking with the gyms you're considering working in to see if they will accept it. If you decide to go with something that most gyms prefer, the following four certifications are great choices; NASM, ACSM, NSCA and ACE. My three certifications are NSCP-CPT, NASM and ACE. All three are highly respected and NASM is trendy so most gyms like to see it on your resume.If you have any further questions feel free to write me here or through my website: www.AndyTroy.com. Good luck and let me know what you decide!
Andy -
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Re: Is this a good program?
Sun, December 23, 2007 - 3:11 PMHi Andy,
I've actually completed the WITS program and am in the middle of the 20 hour internship now. It was a good program, but not as comprehensive as I've heard NASM is. I do believe it's more comprehensive than the ACE programs, though. One gym in my area said they don't recognize it, and another gym said which certification a trainer has isn't as important. I do want to get another certification in the coming year and I am leaning towards ISSA. I like their support and the variety of continuing ed programs they have available.
I am actually familiar with a few of the DVD's you've consulted on. I have Jehan's Ultimate Fitness DVD and Tanna's Bellydance For Bodyshaping: Floorwork DVD. I like them both quite a bit.
Thank you for your response. I wish I'd have researched more certifications before I spent my time and money. But I think having multiple certifications can only serve to keep me more educated and marketable as a personal trainer.
Thanks again!
~Willow
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