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Summary
On episode 216 of 40+ Fitness, Coach Allan answers a listener question about how to become a certified personal trainer, using his own path and his daughter's very different one as examples.
He walks through the differences between certifications like NASM, ACE, and CSCS, and why not all personal trainers, or all certifications, are created equal.
He closes with what he considers the real markers of a good trainer: working toward the client's goals, not the trainer's own agenda, and building a relationship the client can eventually outgrow.
Links
- https://40plusfitness.com
Key Takeaways
- Not all personal training certifications are equal. Allan says some certifications amount to little more than a weekend course, sometimes without even a test, while others are far more rigorous. He points to NASM and ACE as two of the more respected options for people without a college degree.
- Allan chose NASM because it was a full, structured course of study. It came with a college-level textbook, video instruction, and roughly 180 days to prepare for a proctored exam that a lot of people don't pass on the first try. He later added specialties in corrective exercise and fitness nutrition, building on the base certification.
- His daughter took the degree path through kinesiology and CrossFit coaching. She started with an entry-level CrossFit certification while in college, found she loved coaching, and switched her major to kinesiology (exercise science) to pursue it seriously. She later earned her Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCS) credential, a harder exam that requires a college degree.
- CSCS requires a kinesiology-style degree; NASM and ACE don't. That makes CSCS a strong option for someone in college or willing to go back for a degree, while NASM and ACE work for people, like Allan, who need a path that doesn't require a four-year program.
- A good trainer's goal is to be outgrown, not needed forever. Allan compares it to Michael Jordan working with a progression of coaches throughout his career, each one pushing him further before he moved on to the next. No single coach should present themselves as the final word for a client.
- Training has to be built around what the client wants, not what the trainer wants. If a client asks for weight loss and the trainer starts them on a muscle-building program, Allan says that gap has to be bridged through communication, not by overriding the client's own goals. Bringing a client around to a different approach takes time and buy-in, not force.
- Personal fit and communication matter as much as the credential. Allan describes himself as an introvert who still makes a point of connecting with clients, because training is a personal, ongoing relationship, not just supervising reps. If the trainer and client don't get along or communicate well, the arrangement isn't going to work regardless of certification.
- The real question isn't just “are they certified,” it's “are they the right fit for me.” Passing a recognized exam like NASM's or ACE's tells you a trainer knows the basics, but it doesn't guarantee they're the right match for your goals and personality. Allan encourages people to evaluate both the credential and the working relationship before committing.
“A good trainer goal is to not be your trainer for life, but to teach you everything they know so that you can move on to something bigger and better.”
Coach Allan
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