My Two-Cents; Personal Training Certs

To anyone interested, here's a few links that I found interesting and helpful back when I was first looking into Fitness Training. This is by no means any kind of authoritative list, but it should provide some good background knowledge for anyone who may be thinking about getting into the fitness industry as a trainer.  At the very least it can help you if your having trouble falling asleep!

This link below provides some decent general insight and helpful knowledge from a professional point of view as well as from reader/trainer input:
http://www.starting-a-personal-training-business.com/best-personal-trainer-certifications.html

Here's another one to provide some direction:
http://personaltrainingcertification101.com/2011/03/02/best-personal-trainer-certification-comparison.html

The online certification that I am most familiar with is ISSA.
http://www.issaonline.com/


An additional one that I have had recommended to me is AFPA:
http://www.afpafitness.com/index.php


ISSA is not bad though I don't agree with ALL of their science. They are not quite as extensive as any of the Poliquin certs.  However they ARE a very good starting point for someone just getting into it.

Poliquin certs are probably near the top of the list when it comes to serious minded athletes. Street credibility among REAL fitness-minded clientele is high with these certs.  Additionally these certs have multiple levels of course.

The Poliquin are generally more expensive to get certified in and they DO require you to know your stuff. You can't slide by on these certs with half-assed knowledge.

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Education/PICP.aspx

Some of the questions to ask yourself are:
1) How serious am I about this?
2) Is it something I am going to stick with or will I eventually lose interest in it?
3) Does this type of thing come easy for me, in other words is it intuitive for me or do I not usually GET IT unless I REALLY study or think hard about it?
4) Am I willing to go all the way and give it the due diligence necessary to REALLY be a good trainer, not just
  some flunky who couldn't do anything else?
5) What niche market am I going to target or what type of clientele am I going to focus on?

Some other links that are good info:
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_interviews/an_interview_with_charles_poliquin

http://www.militaryathlete.com/

Here's a guy who has multiple advanced certs and might be good to read about his bio.  I do NOT know him but found the website and thought it might provide some insight:
www.joedowdell.com/bio.html

This stuff should help get you started if you have more than a passing interest in it.

R/
Jason