Which fitness trainer certification is better? -Better deal? Overall experience?

[@muhammadrollie4734]

I took NASM and Just Got My Certification from ISSA. I like how the 7 Grandaddy laws help you understand the word of training. It’s something like NASM’s OPT model except with a more detailed approach. With ISSA it’s about getting your foot in the door and use practical knowledge rather then being a walking talking textbook.

[@alaynasutton5946]

It sure did help! Thanks. Ive been trying to decide between the two. Amd after a week of researching on their site, I settled on ISSA. The bit at the end was the best. Im 6 classes away from a bachelors of science in integrative health sciences. So I dont want to focus on the science stuff again. I am more concerned about the coaching aspect and clients, putting that together with the science. Thank you so much! This was great. I also have the hardcopy NASM book from school. And i feel like i will relate to you about reading the two. So i will use having the other book to my advantage even though Im going to test through ISSA

[@sheilajones8028]

Great video, thank you. I too did NASM and hated it from the RIP. God bless you for taking it 5x-not me. I didn’t even take it the first time 😂. ISSA seems like they want you to do well from the get go. Also, if you do fail you only have to retake the ones you failed. Definitely will be doing that one. Thanks again!

[@1x1HealthyEnergybyAndrew]

An actual good review! I have to invest all my money and time with no guarantees. So I better at least get the education i pay for. These companies don't do a good job explaining the certs so i have to watch great reviews.

[@amberragland6782]

Thanks for this comprehensive look into both programs. I've been looking at both of them, and the open book online test with ISSA made me question the validity at first (because in the end, really anyone can take it for you), whereas with NASM, you have to take the test in person. When you broke it down, however, it seems that ISSA may be the better option because it's not just multiple choice; you have to actually provide a program according to a scenario given. I'm not good with memorization- I do much better with the type of testing where I get to actually apply what I've learned and not just regurgitate science terminology. From what I've read with NASM, it seems to provide more training with the general population in terms of corrective exercises, diagnosing misalignments, and building up in a fitness program. With ISSA, there are several different specializations to choose from...

[@TheTRAINOR11]

Good information. I am certified with both ISSA and NASM CPT. I found both to be pretty easy tests but both had a lot of information. ISSA seemed to be a little more in depth with their information. I agree with what you say about ISSA being more personal training specific and NASM being more memorization of scientific principles of anatomy and kinesiology. You're video was good though. Thank you and I did subscribe to your channel.

[@valerienesbitt9826]

Hey girl ❤️, I just passed my nasm exam yesterday . The first two times trying I failed by not that much also. With this last attempt I made my own flash cards and pretty much ended up flash carding the whole book which was overwhelming . Hard core studied and passed it yesterday finally! It is different tests for everyone so it’s hard to know what to focus on. I wish they put up what we missed at the end. That’s what threw me off the last tests so I didn’t know what I needed to focus on, so I understand that part. ❤️❤️❤️

[@DeeMacer369]

Thank you for the feedback it’s really helpful amazing job thank you.!

[@LeahChurchwell]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching!😊

[@doof1555]

I’ve taking the PT Pioneer “quiz” 4 different ways based off finance as well as commercial vs personal gym. That being said with taking it 4 times to see what might come up more, I’m still 50/50 for ISSA and NASM. I’m wondering what your OPINION is for someone who is a gym goer who was formally morbidly obese that would prefer to work with overweight clients based on the connection I would be able to have with them. Thank you!

[@namratathapa8643]

Really helpful. You were the right person who video has been actually helpful as you have experienced both and I had been confused between the two of them. And now I think ISSA it is.

[@ailondranguyen2280]

This was really helpful! I'm currently trying to figure out which will be the best fit for me.

[@krupag8149]

Great video.... sounds like having both certifications would be most beneficial

[@AnitaPatel-mq2fp]

Hi Leah, This is very informative. I signed up w/ ISSA today even though, I am reluctant about what I just signed up for.

[@thehammer810able]

Gonna try the ISSA I like the wide range of different certifications such as powerlifting instructor which is my passion.

[@figbotanicals2229]

Thank you so much for the comparison. I really like the flexibility of ISSA in terms of test taking (it can be taken online, and not have the limitation of 6 months). i am not planning to work as a personal trainer but i do need to get a personal training certification in order to learn anatomy, fitness etc then I can get the certification that I want such as functional aging, cancer specialist , medical exercise specialist. My understanding from your video is ISSA book wasn't easy to understand, the reason you understood was because you first studied NASM's book. So my question is If i choose ISSA, would i learn good enough to understand then i can pursue to other certifications that i want to get ? Thank you

[@LeahChurchwell]

Yes if you take just the ISSA course without having taken the NASM course you can definitely learn enough to do well with just their program alone. I feel like ISSA covers more and is a bit more in-depth, which for me was a bit overwhelming, so just be prepared to take a ton of notes and also follow along with the workbook they give you, this will help you stay on track!

[@zain-zubairsadat]

Thank you very much! I live in Newy york state, which test should I take is better for me from all apsects? Could u please give a quick a short response! Thanks a lot

[@declanbosley4688]

The video helped a lot! Thanks !!

[@sallyssandraa]

I've failed it once by 3 points in which I guessed EVERY answer. The test seemed unnecessarily difficult and now everytime I open the book I just feel it's a waste of time and also filled with UNNECESSARY/USELESS information which I'll forget shortly after taking the test. I'm now simply focusing on reading books I see fit for progressiving in the field of which I chose which is fitness ! It's weird they say that we cant prescribed diets as someone who's simply a personal trainer and not a nutritionist (yet) then follows up with giving us information to learn about digestion and nutrition. Then gives us information on diabetes and hypertension just to tell us if our client exhibits certain health issues they must be advised to see a doctor. Why give the information to study and test over if it won't be a concern of mines but an actual doctor. Its confusing and frustrating.

[@LeahChurchwell]

I agree 100%!

[@ArshdeepSingh-kf8ze]

Hi Leah thanks for your opinion. I want to ask should I go for proctored or open book exam for ISSA ? I also took nutritionist and strength and conditioning course , should I ordered textbook too or online guided study is enough? If I want to add more certificate example CES etc. should I do with NASM or anyone?

[@roev5296]

Hi leah. Informative video!!. I am have been thinking of doing a nutritional certification as well CPT . Before all that let me tell you this i reside in India. So I feel every academy is trying to take you for me for a ride. I am confused between ISSA elite trainer program which includes sports nutrition, PT and one specialisation all cost 999 usd but in india if i was to do nutrition course with CPT with nasm is 1400 usd. My aim is to work one on one clients not in a gym. When I was going through lot review on nasm and issa, one website mention issa focus more on training athletes nasm is better if you want to train more wider clients. More positive reviews were on nutrion course of Nasm not issa. Sorry if i have confused you by writing so much. 1.) How would compare nasm nutrition course with issa. 2.) Which prepares you well as CPT with regards to knowledge rather than just having a certificate.?

[@roev5296]

Leah with regards to course material or model which do you think is better NASM or ISSA . I know nasm follows OPT model. If you were asked to pick one course irrespective of passing of the exam or not which would you prefer. From methodology and content of study.

[@totalhealthwellnessjourney]

ISSA is easily passable. It's now 200 multiple choice.

[@CadenceSings]

@@totalhealthwellnessjourney is it expensive? How long did it take you to pass?

[@ahamednuzhan]

Is there any annual membership fee after you completing ISSA certification?

[@Vladimir-ug5cy]

How did you manage to fail the NASM exam 5 times??? Did I hear you correctly? Also, how do they compare to NSCA (National Strength & Conditioning Association) ? Please share.

[@bigbarnes8870]

If I wanted to do both, which one should I start with?

[@Boejaka-B]

This was really really helpful

[@LeahChurchwell]

Thanks for watching, glad it was helpful!

[@candydeca8]

I chose to study ISSA because the exam is open book, and it’s cheaper . I passed it first try and now im a fitness trainer 😄 by the way, do you plan on becomig a fitness trainer?

[@keithc708]

I dislike Nasm, i feel like I waisted my Money . I plan on trying out ISSA .

[@JenMarco]

I just signed up for ISSA. It was way cheaper than Precision Nutrition. Here’s hoping it was right for me

[@elizabethd134]

updates?

[@jimmyhernandez8096]

I'm new to becoming a CPT but mainly online as a way to help people. Are ISSA and NASM good certifications for online training or to get hired at a gym?

[@LeahChurchwell]

Yeah both are good options for both online and in-person training! Nasm is pretty widely accepted, and ISSA is accepted at most gyms but you could always call around and ask the gyms in your area if they prefer one over the other. But for online training, they’re pretty much equal in that area. Both will provide you with all the knowledge needed to get started training clients, whether online or in-person. Hope this helps!

[@iuliancazacu8578]

Thank you Leah

[@rachelles.4597]

I did have a question on ISSA; how long did it take as far as process from start to finish? (Finish being completing the exam and getting certified) Thanks!

[@LeahChurchwell]

It took me about 3ish weeks to complete the readings and quizzes, once I started the final exam it took me roughly 3 hours I think, then I got my results that I had passed it within a day or maybe two days. Then once you have your results they mail out your official certification that you can frame and that took about 3 weeks to get to me. Hope this helps!

[@rachelles.4597]

@@LeahChurchwell TYSM 🙏🏾 that does help. I am starting my journey with them tomorrow 😊 they have an excellent bundle of 4 certs; technically 5 but I already got my CPR through ProTraining. I am not even mad, it's just so disappointing because the NASM concept is strictly based on memorization versus engaging the student and that's not really learning so thank you for sharing your story; you were the proverbial nail on the head to get me to switch based on what I already knew but couldn't articulate.

[@racinerobinson]

I think ISSA's exam is better in terms of scope but having it be open book is way too easy. One exam doesn't care if you have committed nothing to memory and the other exam doesn't care if you've learnt the info well, hence neither NASM nor ISSA is any good.

[@LakenMcDowell]

My friend had an issue with getting a job using her nasm certification

[@504MikeG]

Just passed my ISSA exam!

[@LeahChurchwell]

Congratulations!!

[@504MikeG]

@@LeahChurchwell Thank you!

[@CadenceSings]

How long did it take? Was it expensive ?

[@holisticwealth1925]

May I ask why do you think you failed the NASM 5 times? And did they make you pay for it each time ?

[@LeahChurchwell]

Yes I did have to pay each time. Honestly I'm not sure why I failed so many times, each time I took it I had a completely different exam than the previous time so this made studying more difficult. Also they tell you to focus on certain things (like the overhead squat assessment, for example) but then I would only have a couple of questions on my exam from the areas that they tell people to study, and the rest of the questions would be totally random stuff that I didn't focus a lot on. I have heard from many people that it took them 2 or 3 times of taking it before they were able to pass, and I've heard from other people that they passed it on the first attempt without any problems. Honestly I think it's just the luck of the draw, if you happen to get an exam that lines up with everything you've been studying then you're one of the lucky ones who pass first try. I did extremely well on the practice exams every time I took them, and the then the real exam would be so far off and contained none of the same material as the practice exam. Maybe I was just one of the unlucky ones.

[@holisticwealth1925]

@@LeahChurchwell Thank you for your feedback. I have a few certifications with NASM, I'm currently doing the ISSA Master Trainer Certification. I have a love/hate relationship with ISSA because their exams make you work so hard to pass lol..you learn so much and gain so much confidence after you pass each one it makes it worth it. Im working on the bodybuilding cert currently, personal trainer will be next. Thanks for the video ! Much success to you.

[@alvaniquegaitor3709]

Do u think you should use the nasm text book and the issa textbook together to do well on the issa exam?

[@LeahChurchwell]

I don't think it's necessary, the ISSA book is packed full of material and useful knowledge. However the NASM book did help me as I found the ISSA book to be a bit overwhelming, so if you think the NASM book would be good just to have and study from you can definitely do that as well! You could probably find one for sale on Ebay or maybe even contact NASM directly to see if it is possible to purchase just a textbook without buying a whole course from them.

[@alvaniquegaitor3709]

@@LeahChurchwell thank youu

[@totalhealthwellnessjourney]

No more case studies on the exam with ISSA.

[@TheCicada007]

I am basically looking to acquire knowledge (and get certified) so that I can design (fitness & weight loss) home workouts for virtual training and KZbin channel. I do not have any related education but have 15 yrs of experience of workouts. Could you suggest me any course that comes at a reasonable price? I’d like to do it more for passion than profession.

[@xavierrodriguez1455]

which course was better issa was better the exam and reading was 100 percent understanding to me

[@rkmlondono]

I received my hard copy from ISSA

[@tanyapaulinepineda7324]

Hello I have a question I am in rolled in Issa but for yoga instructor So I do need to take a course for trainer program

[@LeahChurchwell]

You're not required to unless you want to! It's totally optional if you want to enroll in their trainer course in addition to the yoga course

[@junior10460]

Well as for me I taking all the certification and I have failed a four times and trying to get my certification and nobody seems to answer any of my questions so right now I'm asking you because I just finished watching your video about both certification for school so I need your help because I am tired spending money

[@504MikeG]

Just passed my exam!!

[@JenMarco]

Yay!! Congratulations! Hopefully I’ll be saying that soon. I just started ISSM

[@xavierrodriguez1455]

Which one did you do

[@emanuelmartinez8710]

where did you find issa book?

[@LeahChurchwell]

This one was mailed to me when I signed up for the course but this was years ago. I do believe that newer courses have an online version of the book and if you want the physical copy it’s like $35 now and you just ask them for it whenever you sign up for your course. Or you could always check eBay to see if someone is selling one!

[@kalvinhomer7097]

Hey dear how long does this course last??

[@LeahChurchwell]

The course lasts 6 months from the date of purchase, you can finish it as fast or as slow as you wish within the 6 months. Once you’re certified your certification is valid for 2 years, then you have to renew with continuing education and an updated CPR/AED. Hope this helps!

[@xavierrodriguez1455]

I did ISSA it was better then Ace and NASM

[@guesswho3098]

How did you get through with case studies? What about essy

[@xavierrodriguez1455]

Oh hell no NASM and ACE are the worst .

[@Fityours]

Really?? Just signed up for NASM can you tell me why???

[@sweetjonesjr3638]

Moe Habibi haha NASM Is fine, don’t listen to him 😂 I learned a lot from my course and passed on my first try. Just study hard :)

[@bgcoming]

Issa has a physical book, but u have to paid for it

[@xavierrodriguez1455]

issa i pass all my exams

[@alwopoddd8999]

Can I communicate with you on Instagram? I need to ask you about issa