I’m ISSA certified and I agree with your review. I also have their strength and conditioning certification and I found this more helpful for programming and periodization. Overall, I’m happy with my ISSA certification and so far every gym I applied to has accepted it, and I’m in Canada btw.
YES!! I recently completed my certification and also took the proctored NCCPT exam. I was extremely disappointed because I walked out of it knowing almost nothing about programming. The underlying assumption seems to be that you are already working at a fitness center and will therefore get that kind of training on the job…? Out of desperation, I bought the physical textbook for their Strength and Conditioning course. I agree with Oscar, that is 100% the material that should have been in the CPT course. Also, it’s organized and illustrated way more effectively than the CPT textbook-which should be taken out back and shot. :P
I bought ISSA Elite trainer bundle including nutritionist, strength and conditioning month ago . I still have questions is it worth as compared to NASM or other certifications. I choose this because of self study . I am living in Canada, still have question Is ISSA certification accepted by gym ? Should I purchase books or not? Is it accredited by NCCA by now? I was thinking of getting CES or online instructor from NASM after certifying from ISSA, IS it good choice or having elite trainer is enough?
I have 2 ISSA certifications, Specialist in Senior Fitness and Specialist in Exercise Therapy. One thing people should be aware of is that the open book final exam isn't just multiple choice. There's also essay questions and case studies that you have to do. I find the exam prep of each section is important. If you do all the essay questions, case studies and quizzes you will literally have every answer you need for the exam! I went with ISSA for my first certification because that was the one my boss at the PT gym I worked for chose (and paid for.) It's easiest to continue on with ISSA and they usually have some new certification that will be useful for the population I work with. They also have readily accepted the CEU's from non listed certifications I've found on my own, like PWR! Moves for PD and Love To Move for Dementia. Overall, I'm happy with ISSA and appreciate the unique and rewarding career it's allowed me to carve out for myself, now that I'm an independent self employed Senior Fitness Trainer specializing in clients with Dementia or PD.
This is my dream job! I did construction for 8 years starting in my teens and now i finally grew the nuts to quit for good! im buying the course and appreciate your review. Cannot wait for this new chapter to begin! hope everyone pursues their dream
I recently passed the ISSA personal trainer certification and am now studying the nutricain course that came with it. I think your assesment is spot on. Another plus of ISSA is that you can complete it and get certified from anywhre in the world. I was able to get certified living in Uruguay. They even sent the paper copies of the books (which I paid extra for) and my certifcate here.
A couple of my coworkers took this certification back when I was a trainer at a commercial gym and just looked up all of the answers on quizlet without studying a single thing, which is somewhat frustrating. Also, just want to say congrats on your subscriber count! I remember you saying your New year's resolution goal last year was to get to 10,000 and you went way over that! Keep up the great work!!
I’ve heard that as well! That’s pretty bad that ISSA is allowing that to happen tbh. Oh well, that’s on them. Thank you! I really appreciate the support!
Lol @ 06:25 I'm an ISSA CPT, Specialist in Strength and Conditioning, Nutritionist, and Glute Training Specialist. I also have the NCCA accredited NCCPT's CPT and CSTS (they were proctored multiple choice exams). As far as actually testing applied knowledge, I MUCH prefer the testing model for the ISSA Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, and Glute exams which consisted of ~100 multiple choice questions and 5-6 essays each. The essays are, in my opinion, a far better way to asses one's understanding than multiple choice (even proctored). I agree with pretty much everything you brought up. There are definitely some odd bits mixed in there, but overall its pretty good stuff. Ultimately, there's no substitute for practical experience and a passion for staying abreast the ever-evolving field of sport science. In any case, none of these courses can (nor should) be thought of as a complete education. I think it's about expectations-and I think your review does a fine job of setting them appropriately. Well done. Thanks! "Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is essentially your own." - Bruce Lee
Thanks for the support and feedback! It sounds like you’ve done a lot of what ISSA has to offer! Good work! Have you felt that ISSA’s courses have helped you achieve success in the field?
Thanks for your review! I chose ISSA, partly, because they are partners with PN1, so I got both courses for the price of 1. I agree with your assessment. I hope they make it easier to know how to write programs for everyday clients. I do feel like the monotone/ boring videos could be improved by having an actual person on video explaining some things, with slides between seeing them talk. ISSA sends a million emails, so that is annoying, but it doesn't take away from the certs value, for me. I did think that the open book test was challenging& an important part of the learning process. I had to re-read& understand the material fully, in order to answer the questions correctly. The answers weren't just found in the book, verbatim. Also, a big reason I choose ISSA was that they are now recognized by the NCCA & the price to sit for that test was included in the price. I have gotten my ISSA cert& now I'm working on my PN1. I plan to study more& then I'll take the NCCA proctored exam.
I did the same exam I also did the 2 in 2 PT/ nutrition however we can't use that nutrition part anywhere no one in the US will take you with a nutritionist certification they want a fitness coach or diatition.. I feel like we got robbed also a lot of gyms won't even accept the ISSA certification
I am in my first few weeks with ISSA and actually found your channel looking for resources to help me better understand and memorise all the anatomy components. I honestly really don't want to be using my book for ISSA exam if I can help it? But to your point, depending on the day, I am one of those people who doesn't test well, yet I also want to ensure I know the material so I can be the best trainer I can be. 🥰 I really look forward to using more of your content as a supplement to help me learn and retain all of this super complex information (since, at times, that text reads too much like an encyclopedia!). Many thanks!! xx
I really appreciate the kind words and support! If you’re looking for some anatomy stuff in particular I’ve got a few videos on that. I wouldn’t try to memorize everything by any means but having a general understanding of what’s show in all three videos would definitely be helpful. Here’s the first muscle one if you’re interested: ua-cam.com/video/Iu8vkjbhNw0/v-deo.html
I am working on my health sciences bachelor’s degree and trust me certifications look so good and many places even with a degree requires them. If you get your masters trainer level you will make bank
This is true! NCCPT isn’t very well known but it’s certainly better than nothing! They’ve been around for a long time and ISSA bought them a few years ago
@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation the NCCPT program is also NCCA accredited. Since taking them over ISSA has made it a point to use that in their marketing materials for the borrowed credibility of being NCCA accredited. Which as you touched on in the video feels a bit scammy.
As an outsider (read: not a physical fitness trainer, more like a potential client), when you mention the 8 critical components they mention for clients' training and lives ... -- hypnosis is absolutely an important part of a training aspect, but more so if you're training to be high functioning athlete. There are some concepts related to hypnosis by the Andreas family that discuss the concept of 'choke' for high performers and how to get rid of that through guided hypnosis, improving one's self concept, and other modalities. I'm not sure why they [ISSA] would make a blanket statement of self-hypnosis, as most people struggle to learn that, but the core concept stands if you're training to that level.
I hear what you’re saying and I agree there is certainly value in meditation and self hypnosis and a few of the other things that they recommended. To have those things in place of other things like consuming a balanced diet, or eating enough protein, or getting enough sleep is pretty silly though if we’re talking about the creation of a clients or athletes plan.
As a seasoned fitness professional of 35 years, I've grown to despise all of the fitness certs. In 93, I got ACSM, because that was the gold standard, but over the years, the name of that cert has changed 6 times, and there is no clear reason why other than money. We pay for the CEU's to keep the certification current, and then we have to pay the cert agency each 2 to 4-year period on top of the classes for the CEU's. I just had Plus One tell me that I should get ACSM's personal training cert. WTF and on top of all that, I've got my MS from Springfield College. I appreciate your enthusiasm and knowledge, but this is all a racket. I would bet people at a bar bought drinks for the powers to be of companies and told them to require their cert, and of course, there is no clear proof of studies testing fitness professional's knowledge to guarantee that any specific cert has more knowledgable people. I also sometimes wonder whether companies are advertising jobs that do not exist but require certs, to promote that cert. I did use my health and fitness knowledge to stop my mother with mild dementia from forgetting me and I'm almost finished with my graphic memoir about it.
To some extent it definitely is a racket. None of these certs are as good as they should be. Also, having someone with a masters in science get one, assuming the degree is exercise related, is a joke. Unfortunately, these certs are the closest thing that we have to a standardized license or curriculum. So, even if they’re bad, they’re better than nothing.
You missed 1 HUGE reason why ISSA isn't as easy as the open book they have. They make you do 5 or 6 essays so you thoroughly understand the material. Thats why it deserves a better grade review.
I’m pretty sure the essay questions are a newer thing, though I could be wrong on that. I’m also not sure the inclusion of them makes this course better. My main criticisms of the course were that some gyms don’t accept it and it contains some strange information. I don’t really care if it’s open book or not. I only care about how effective it is in helping trainers do what they need to do.
6:33 I think an example of that could be Diindolylmethane. You can eat cruciferous veggies and get the Indole-3-Carbinol that will be converted INTO Diindolymethane or take the Indole-3Carbinol directly, or.... Just take Diindolylmethane directly and get way more than you could ever convert from a big plate of broccoli.
@@jadecayen5403 the proctored course/test offered by ISSA is from an old company called the NCCPT. It’s somewhat respected in the industry, but less than things like ACE and NASM.
I suspect periodization is more complex than the average general population client is going to need or use or should even be expected of. If you're training an athlete yes, but the average client will struggle to even show up to every single session. Periodization is most effective when nutrition and rest is prioritized and perfected. For the general pop client what the Issa teaches in that first basic course is usually effective (progressive overload), but they require continuing education so as you get more experienced you learn more complicated approaches and you can take more challenging and specific clients
I’d say that’s partially true. You don’t need any advanced periodization plan for the general population. That said, you do want a phasing system, or something where the training variables (sets, reps, intensity) change on a regular basis. Workouts get really stale if you aren’t changing those variables up on a regular basis. Doing that totally at random isn’t necessarily good either. This is where things like the OPT model (NASM) and the IFT model (ACE) come into play. Sure, neither of those two systems is perfect, but they understand that changing the variables in a systematic way is necessary. ISSA lazily skipped over doing that.
You gotta start with the crappy clients and deal with random work hours. You may have to take a client between 8am-9pm meaning you're waiting for them.
The additional recs are prob due to affiliate marketing and partnering with companies that provide some of those gadgets and resources.... it's business and it may not necessarily be a problem if there's scientific evidence of their efficacy. As a psychotherapist, I can see how those interventions, like self hypnosis, is very helpful.
They certainly shouldn’t be making recommendations or curriculum based on affiliate links. Sure, some of what they went over in that chapter can be beneficial. I still think they should have spent more time on things that are more closely associated with actual training.
So, I am currently in a community college for Kinesiology Exercise Specialist and am seeking outside opinions and advice. After this degree I want to transfer to a CSU to receive a degree in Dietetics and Food Administration(Nutrition and Dietetics). With this in mind I would like to open my own gym in the future instead of work under a corporate forever. I am committed to take the time and learn the knowledge in both areas as I want fitness and nutrition to be in my life forever, but do not want to waste years/$$ in college as this has been on my mind for awhile now. My question is Would it be a better route to continue this degree within KIN or receive a personal training certificate from a program ( ISSA ,NASM, , etc) instead in order to focus on dietetics more? Would I be seen as “reputable” with just a personal training certificate if my goal is to open my own gym? These are just some questions in mind that I have. I am open minded to hearing all responses and any advice would be greatly appreciated as I want to accomplish my goals and help others as well.
I would finish the community college degree in kinesiology and then get a trainer certification. After that I would get some experience as a trainer, and then I would try to work my way up the chain a bit. I’d try to get some managerial experience before opening my own gym. If you’re enjoying that process and looking to add things on such as the degree in dietetics, I would only do that after some time in the field. A lot of people get into the field and don’t like it as much as they thought they would. It’s good to make sure that it’s for you before investing a ton of time and money.
@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation Thank you for the feedback it is greatly appreciated. My next question is so currently I am enjoying what I’m learning at the community college for KIN, but want to get certified before the degree and start gaining experience as a trainer , when it comes to organizations which would be most reputable of a certification NASM or ISSA? I would be open to work with any type of clients, but more so around hypertrophy training , strength and conditioning etc
thank you so much for this review, i am currently doing i.s.s.a also do you have to also take the nccpt exam along with it> because it shows as an free option to do so
Thanks for the support! I think it’s definitely worth doing the NCCPT exam in addition to the ISSA exam since it will improve your odds of getting a job.
I been looking to get my cert, but the other competitor certifications for personal training don't offer certification in kickboxing. I'm coaching basic fundamentals of Muay Thai already, it would be cool to have some sort of sheep skin. I really don't care how I get a certification, I want something I can be legit with to coach with and be able to do better with kickboxing. I like the concept of open book, I may just go ahead and get all I can
If you don’t care about or need the NCCA accreditation ISSA is a fine choice. I’m not sure you’ll get too much out of the curriculum but it would still probably add a bit to your resume
Hello, I just finished completing the ISSA CPT test! I agree with most of your points (especially the outdated look ISSA book has). I'm trying to gauge whether taking the NCCPT test is worth it since I called a couple commerical gyms (EOS, Planet Fitness, etc) and they said my cert is fine enough?
I’d talk to local employers and see what they prefer. I’m sure some will hire you with just the Issa cert. Some may want that NCCPT one too, which would then make it worth going after.
I have a BS in Kinesiology, and don’t have a PT certification. However, I was looking into taking a prenatal and postpartum course. Would I need to be a certified PT?Do you think it’s worth taking that course?
You wouldn’t need to be a certified trainer to take a prenatal or postpartum course. I think it’s worth taking a course like that if you plan on training many women in those scenarios. If you’re not planning on working with many of those types of clients I would wait on the certification a little longer.
Woould your B+ rating change with the fact they are NCCA accredited now? I am looking at the Master Trainer program simply because I can get 4 specializations that I want for cheaper than elsewhere. I was initially looking at NASM but for all the specializations I'd want it would be almost double the cost.
Are they actually NCCA accredited or is that just the NCCPT exam that they’re offering that’s NCCA accredited? I don’t actually know, but as far as I can tell ISSA is still not accredited through the NCCA. The NCCPT is. It’s an old organization that they (ISSA) bought up a while ago but it doesn’t have good brand recognition. Anyways, ya I might raise it up if they sort that out. The course is equivalent to NASM, they just don’t have the same reputation and ability to get trainers a job.
NASM doesn’t necessarily say no nutrition coaching but they don’t do a good job of teaching how to do it and they also don’t do a good job of telling you what’s actually legal.
I’ve seen some reviews where people said that they were paid less being ISSA certified (saying that their gym only gave them 50% of the money from the client whereas the other trainers with certifications through other programs were paid at least 75%) and that the gyms took it less srsly because of their open book exam. Obviously this kinda scares the shit outta me bc I just enrolled into ISSA (only with $1 down for my first month just in case I wanted to cancel within the allowed 7 days to cancel) because of their 4th of July sale which was nice considering I still have one year of Highschool left and I’d like to start part time so I can make more money to go out and live on my own and get away from this chaotic town faster. So would it be alright to go with ISSA? Or would it be worth it to go with a program seen as more “legit” to not take then chance of getting paid less and not being taken as srsly? Or do you think that ISSA’s perceived credibility w gyms has improved since then? Thanks for your time if you’ve decided to actually read all of this. Also anyone else’s opinion would be nice too.
Good question! Most jobs will pay you the same things whether you’re certified through ISSA or NASM. That certainly doesn’t apply to everyone though. I would make sure to do NCCPT certification that’s included free with the ISSA certification as well. That should reduce the chances of you having any issues.
I have been searching for an online program that focuses on the nutrition aspect as well as training ... more in a holistic manner what would you suggest for an online program?
All of the programs are online and they all include a nutrition component these days. So you probably can’t go wrong with any of the main choices as far as certifications go. The main choices being NASM, ACE, and ISSA. Which one you go for should be determined by where you want to work and what they prefer. If you’re looking to work on your own than any will work.
A lot of the jobs in applying to, doesn’t say ISSA certification. Which is stressing me out. Is this normal, or did they just forget about this school? I’m in the US
I do mention in the video that a lot of gyms don’t accept ISSA. It’s because it’s not NCCA accredited. That being said you can take the NCCPT course alongside your ISSA course. The NCCPT one comes free with the ISSA one and having the two of them done should enable you to get just about any training job.
Maybe! Though I would think that it would only benefit you a small amount in that scenario. The knowledge could be a little useful but I doubt it would make much of a difference on a resume.
Is there any program that you would advise for someone who would just like the information for personal use and or for helping a friend or family in their health journey?
Good question! I wouldn’t recommend going through any certification program if you’re not planning on working/making money in the field. You can get just as much info, and possibly better info from reading books such as starting strength, etc.
Tbh if you want to start a yoga studio I think you should probably seek a more intensive online program. I don’t know how the ISSA yoga cert is but I very much doubt it’s all that comprehensive.
I look forward to taking this course to obtain personal trainer certification. I enjoy weight training, hiking, biking, kayaking. Also, I am on board with other disciplines such as yoga. I plan to also pursue yoga certification. Yoga offers physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. And, if you’re going through an illness, recovering from surgery or living with a chronic condition, yoga can become an integral part of your treatment and potentially hasten healing. Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility. Slow movements and deep breathing increase blood flow and warm up muscles, while holding a pose can build strength. I have a background in ballet and gymnastics but I always felt tight. Yoga changed my life. Numerous studies show yoga’s benefits in arthritis, osteopenia, balance issues, oncology, women’s health, chronic pain and other specialties. I incorporate yoga into my physical fitness routine. It improves my performance in other activities. Thank you for the great advice.
@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation You are very welcome. I am very excited about this opportunity. I am also into DDP Yoga, Diamond Dallas's program. It keeps me on top of my game and he is an outstanding instructor. It will be fun to have a side business with yoga and personal training. I will keep you posted about my progress.
$1,000 for a fitness certification, wow, no thanks. From what I saw you also can't just can't get their book & pay for the exam, you gotta take the whole program. Certifications are going insane with costs now that money is tight for most people. It's a lose/lose really, since new trainers with limited knowledge pay a lot, then clients get questionable trainers that used an open exam. As someone who has a degree, I go with ACSM or NSCA.
I don’t disagree that these courses are overpriced, at least some of them are. I’m not too big on the ACSM program but the NSCA one is pretty good. Here’s my thoughts on all the major courses if you’re interested: ua-cam.com/video/an5iw5BG0tw/v-deo.html
Link for those interested in purchasing ISSA: issa.sjv.io/c/2369241/872380/12162
I’m ISSA certified and I agree with your review. I also have their strength and conditioning certification and I found this more helpful for programming and periodization. Overall, I’m happy with my ISSA certification and so far every gym I applied to has accepted it, and I’m in Canada btw.
That’s great to hear! Overall, I think ISSA did a good job!
YES!! I recently completed my certification and also took the proctored NCCPT exam. I was extremely disappointed because I walked out of it knowing almost nothing about programming. The underlying assumption seems to be that you are already working at a fitness center and will therefore get that kind of training on the job…?
Out of desperation, I bought the physical textbook for their Strength and Conditioning course. I agree with Oscar, that is 100% the material that should have been in the CPT course. Also, it’s organized and illustrated way more effectively than the CPT textbook-which should be taken out back and shot. :P
@@sarahsassypants4110 this is all really good feedback! I appreciate your input guys!
I bought ISSA Elite trainer bundle including nutritionist, strength and conditioning month ago . I still have questions is it worth as compared to NASM or other certifications. I choose this because of self study . I am living in Canada, still have question Is ISSA certification accepted by gym ? Should I purchase books or not? Is it accredited by NCCA by now?
I was thinking of getting CES or online instructor from NASM after certifying from ISSA, IS it good choice or having elite trainer is enough?
Great..im in Canada too! Really helpful! I didnt find a lot of issa trainer around me in canada and ill def go with them
I have 2 ISSA certifications, Specialist in Senior Fitness and Specialist in Exercise Therapy. One thing people should be aware of is that the open book final exam isn't just multiple choice. There's also essay questions and case studies that you have to do. I find the exam prep of each section is important. If you do all the essay questions, case studies and quizzes you will literally have every answer you need for the exam! I went with ISSA for my first certification because that was the one my boss at the PT gym I worked for chose (and paid for.) It's easiest to continue on with ISSA and they usually have some new certification that will be useful for the population I work with. They also have readily accepted the CEU's from non listed certifications I've found on my own, like PWR! Moves for PD and Love To Move for Dementia. Overall, I'm happy with ISSA and appreciate the unique and rewarding career it's allowed me to carve out for myself, now that I'm an independent self employed Senior Fitness Trainer specializing in clients with Dementia or PD.
THANK YOU
Thank you for sharing.
Amazing! Thanks for sharing!!! I’m currently trying to start my fitness certification journey. So excited
This is my dream job! I did construction for 8 years starting in my teens and now i finally grew the nuts to quit for good! im buying the course and appreciate your review. Cannot wait for this new chapter to begin! hope everyone pursues their dream
That’s awesome! If you’re willing to work hard and get outside of your comfort zone on a regular basis, you’ll do well!
@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation Thanks for the reply. I'm more than ready to get uncomfortable! cheers
I Doing construction rn and taking these courses as we speak. Did this end up working out for you ?
Soo its been 3 months. Did you buy the program? Finished it?
Awesome 👏🏾
I recently passed the ISSA personal trainer certification and am now studying the nutricain course that came with it. I think your assesment is spot on. Another plus of ISSA is that you can complete it and get certified from anywhre in the world. I was able to get certified living in Uruguay. They even sent the paper copies of the books (which I paid extra for) and my certifcate here.
That sounds great! It definitely seems like ISSA does a good job working with trainers all over the world.
How much you pay for books brother.???
A couple of my coworkers took this certification back when I was a trainer at a commercial gym and just looked up all of the answers on quizlet without studying a single thing, which is somewhat frustrating. Also, just want to say congrats on your subscriber count! I remember you saying your New year's resolution goal last year was to get to 10,000 and you went way over that! Keep up the great work!!
I’ve heard that as well! That’s pretty bad that ISSA is allowing that to happen tbh. Oh well, that’s on them.
Thank you! I really appreciate the support!
Thank you for your review. Just passed my ISSA certification and I owe a large part of it to you and your channel.
Congrats on passing! Glad the videos were helpful to you!
Did you ever get a training job?
Recently ISSA CPT certified. I definitely agree with your video. Great video and information.
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback and support!
Lol @ 06:25
I'm an ISSA CPT, Specialist in Strength and Conditioning, Nutritionist, and Glute Training Specialist. I also have the NCCA accredited NCCPT's CPT and CSTS (they were proctored multiple choice exams). As far as actually testing applied knowledge, I MUCH prefer the testing model for the ISSA Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, and Glute exams which consisted of ~100 multiple choice questions and 5-6 essays each. The essays are, in my opinion, a far better way to asses one's understanding than multiple choice (even proctored).
I agree with pretty much everything you brought up. There are definitely some odd bits mixed in there, but overall its pretty good stuff. Ultimately, there's no substitute for practical experience and a passion for staying abreast the ever-evolving field of sport science. In any case, none of these courses can (nor should) be thought of as a complete education. I think it's about expectations-and I think your review does a fine job of setting them appropriately. Well done. Thanks!
"Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is essentially your own." - Bruce Lee
Thanks for the support and feedback! It sounds like you’ve done a lot of what ISSA has to offer! Good work!
Have you felt that ISSA’s courses have helped you achieve success in the field?
Thanks for your review! I chose ISSA, partly, because they are partners with PN1, so I got both courses for the price of 1. I agree with your assessment. I hope they make it easier to know how to write programs for everyday clients. I do feel like the monotone/ boring videos could be improved by having an actual person on video explaining some things, with slides between seeing them talk. ISSA sends a million emails, so that is annoying, but it doesn't take away from the certs value, for me. I did think that the open book test was challenging& an important part of the learning process. I had to re-read& understand the material fully, in order to answer the questions correctly. The answers weren't just found in the book, verbatim. Also, a big reason I choose ISSA was that they are now recognized by the NCCA & the price to sit for that test was included in the price. I have gotten my ISSA cert& now I'm working on my PN1. I plan to study more& then I'll take the NCCA proctored exam.
It sounds like you’re doing great things! Thanks for your feedback and support! Let me know how the proctored exam goes!
I did the same exam I also did the 2 in 2 PT/ nutrition however we can't use that nutrition part anywhere no one in the US will take you with a nutritionist certification they want a fitness coach or diatition.. I feel like we got robbed also a lot of gyms won't even accept the ISSA certification
@@lisajudkins9859 they won’t?
@@zachholly no they want ACE and NASM mostly here where I live
I am in my first few weeks with ISSA and actually found your channel looking for resources to help me better understand and memorise all the anatomy components. I honestly really don't want to be using my book for ISSA exam if I can help it? But to your point, depending on the day, I am one of those people who doesn't test well, yet I also want to ensure I know the material so I can be the best trainer I can be. 🥰 I really look forward to using more of your content as a supplement to help me learn and retain all of this super complex information (since, at times, that text reads too much like an encyclopedia!). Many thanks!! xx
I really appreciate the kind words and support!
If you’re looking for some anatomy stuff in particular I’ve got a few videos on that. I wouldn’t try to memorize everything by any means but having a general understanding of what’s show in all three videos would definitely be helpful. Here’s the first muscle one if you’re interested: ua-cam.com/video/Iu8vkjbhNw0/v-deo.html
I am working on my health sciences bachelor’s degree and trust me certifications look so good and many places even with a degree requires them. If you get your masters trainer level you will make bank
The ISSA essay does offer a proctored exam through the NCCPT. When you enroll in their personal training program they offer this exam for free.
This is true! NCCPT isn’t very well known but it’s certainly better than nothing! They’ve been around for a long time and ISSA bought them a few years ago
@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation the NCCPT program is also NCCA accredited. Since taking them over ISSA has made it a point to use that in their marketing materials for the borrowed credibility of being NCCA accredited. Which as you touched on in the video feels a bit scammy.
This is a prediction here but ACE is going to take crown for the training certifications. Can't wait for your ACE review.
Haha thanks I’m glad you’re enjoying them! We’ve purchased the course and have started going through it already. You might be on to something lol!
As an outsider (read: not a physical fitness trainer, more like a potential client), when you mention the 8 critical components they mention for clients' training and lives ... -- hypnosis is absolutely an important part of a training aspect, but more so if you're training to be high functioning athlete. There are some concepts related to hypnosis by the Andreas family that discuss the concept of 'choke' for high performers and how to get rid of that through guided hypnosis, improving one's self concept, and other modalities. I'm not sure why they [ISSA] would make a blanket statement of self-hypnosis, as most people struggle to learn that, but the core concept stands if you're training to that level.
I hear what you’re saying and I agree there is certainly value in meditation and self hypnosis and a few of the other things that they recommended.
To have those things in place of other things like consuming a balanced diet, or eating enough protein, or getting enough sleep is pretty silly though if we’re talking about the creation of a clients or athletes plan.
As a seasoned fitness professional of 35 years, I've grown to despise all of the fitness certs. In 93, I got ACSM, because that was the gold standard, but over the years, the name of that cert has changed 6 times, and there is no clear reason why other than money. We pay for the CEU's to keep the certification current, and then we have to pay the cert agency each 2 to 4-year period on top of the classes for the CEU's. I just had Plus One tell me that I should get ACSM's personal training cert. WTF and on top of all that, I've got my MS from Springfield College. I appreciate your enthusiasm and knowledge, but this is all a racket. I would bet people at a bar bought drinks for the powers to be of companies and told them to require their cert, and of course, there is no clear proof of studies testing fitness professional's knowledge to guarantee that any specific cert has more knowledgable people. I also sometimes wonder whether companies are advertising jobs that do not exist but require certs, to promote that cert. I did use my health and fitness knowledge to stop my mother with mild dementia from forgetting me and I'm almost finished with my graphic memoir about it.
To some extent it definitely is a racket. None of these certs are as good as they should be. Also, having someone with a masters in science get one, assuming the degree is exercise related, is a joke.
Unfortunately, these certs are the closest thing that we have to a standardized license or curriculum. So, even if they’re bad, they’re better than nothing.
So you let go of the CPT license? What's the other option to be a CPT besides getting any of these certificates?
You missed 1 HUGE reason why ISSA isn't as easy as the open book they have. They make you do 5 or 6 essays so you thoroughly understand the material. Thats why it deserves a better grade review.
I’m pretty sure the essay questions are a newer thing, though I could be wrong on that.
I’m also not sure the inclusion of them makes this course better. My main criticisms of the course were that some gyms don’t accept it and it contains some strange information. I don’t really care if it’s open book or not. I only care about how effective it is in helping trainers do what they need to do.
Oh really… I did not
Know
That thanks
6:33 I think an example of that could be Diindolylmethane. You can eat cruciferous veggies and get the Indole-3-Carbinol that will be converted INTO Diindolymethane or take the Indole-3Carbinol directly, or.... Just take Diindolylmethane directly and get way more than you could ever convert from a big plate of broccoli.
I just finished the ISSA coursework. I will take both the open book and proctored exam. I want to make sure my certification is recognized.
That’s a good move for sure!
What is the difference in recognition? Does the certificate differentiate between the two?
@@jadecayen5403 the proctored course/test offered by ISSA is from an old company called the NCCPT. It’s somewhat respected in the industry, but less than things like ACE and NASM.
The test is the easy part. Its the essays that make you have to really know the material.
I don’t doubt that. The essays change the game a bit. That said, it’s still all open book. There are pros and cons to everything
I suspect periodization is more complex than the average general population client is going to need or use or should even be expected of. If you're training an athlete yes, but the average client will struggle to even show up to every single session. Periodization is most effective when nutrition and rest is prioritized and perfected. For the general pop client what the Issa teaches in that first basic course is usually effective (progressive overload), but they require continuing education so as you get more experienced you learn more complicated approaches and you can take more challenging and specific clients
I’d say that’s partially true. You don’t need any advanced periodization plan for the general population.
That said, you do want a phasing system, or something where the training variables (sets, reps, intensity) change on a regular basis. Workouts get really stale if you aren’t changing those variables up on a regular basis. Doing that totally at random isn’t necessarily good either.
This is where things like the OPT model (NASM) and the IFT model (ACE) come into play. Sure, neither of those two systems is perfect, but they understand that changing the variables in a systematic way is necessary. ISSA lazily skipped over doing that.
You gotta start with the crappy clients and deal with random work hours. You may have to take a client between 8am-9pm meaning you're waiting for them.
Do you think the nutrition coaching classes would be worth taking in ISSA ?also what jobs can you obtain with this certification?
Take notes as you go I used flash cards study on your own then take the test it is multiple choice .. easy peasy
The additional recs are prob due to affiliate marketing and partnering with companies that provide some of those gadgets and resources.... it's business and it may not necessarily be a problem if there's scientific evidence of their efficacy. As a psychotherapist, I can see how those interventions, like self hypnosis, is very helpful.
They certainly shouldn’t be making recommendations or curriculum based on affiliate links.
Sure, some of what they went over in that chapter can be beneficial. I still think they should have spent more time on things that are more closely associated with actual training.
So, I am currently in a community college for Kinesiology Exercise Specialist and am seeking outside opinions and advice. After this degree I want to transfer to a CSU to receive a degree in Dietetics and Food Administration(Nutrition and Dietetics). With this in mind I would like to open my own gym in the future instead of work under a corporate forever. I am committed to take the time and learn the knowledge in both areas as I want fitness and nutrition to be in my life forever, but do not want to waste years/$$ in college as this has been on my mind for awhile now. My question is Would it be a better route to continue this degree within KIN or receive a personal training certificate from a program ( ISSA ,NASM, , etc) instead in order to focus on dietetics more? Would I be seen as “reputable” with just a personal training certificate if my goal is to open my own gym? These are just some questions in mind that I have. I am open minded to hearing all responses and any advice would be greatly appreciated as I want to accomplish my goals and help others as well.
I would finish the community college degree in kinesiology and then get a trainer certification. After that I would get some experience as a trainer, and then I would try to work my way up the chain a bit. I’d try to get some managerial experience before opening my own gym.
If you’re enjoying that process and looking to add things on such as the degree in dietetics, I would only do that after some time in the field. A lot of people get into the field and don’t like it as much as they thought they would. It’s good to make sure that it’s for you before investing a ton of time and money.
@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation Thank you for the feedback it is greatly appreciated. My next question is so currently I am enjoying what I’m learning at the community college for KIN, but want to get certified before the degree and start gaining experience as a trainer , when it comes to organizations which would be most reputable of a certification NASM or ISSA? I would be open to work with any type of clients, but more so around hypertrophy training , strength and conditioning etc
thank you so much for this review, i am currently doing i.s.s.a
also do you have to also take the nccpt exam along with it> because it shows as an free option to do so
Thanks for the support! I think it’s definitely worth doing the NCCPT exam in addition to the ISSA exam since it will improve your odds of getting a job.
I been looking to get my cert, but the other competitor certifications for personal training don't offer certification in kickboxing. I'm coaching basic fundamentals of Muay Thai already, it would be cool to have some sort of sheep skin. I really don't care how I get a certification, I want something I can be legit with to coach with and be able to do better with kickboxing. I like the concept of open book, I may just go ahead and get all I can
If you don’t care about or need the NCCA accreditation ISSA is a fine choice. I’m not sure you’ll get too much out of the curriculum but it would still probably add a bit to your resume
quick question: If I'm a qualified personal trainer in the UK I'm I able to use it in the USA?
Ya you should be able to do that. Some certs will certainly work better than others though.
Solid review.
Thank you!
What the actual F*%k?? hahaha. new to your channel, thanks for the great info!
Haha thanks! I appreciate the support!
Physical limitation and lack of experience is already well known in the assessment phase. You don’t need an OPT model to address this.
You don’t really need the OPT model for anything tbh. It’s still good to have something similar at your disposal though
Hello, I just finished completing the ISSA CPT test! I agree with most of your points (especially the outdated look ISSA book has). I'm trying to gauge whether taking the NCCPT test is worth it since I called a couple commerical gyms (EOS, Planet Fitness, etc) and they said my cert is fine enough?
So would you say going through getting the Issa cert is worth it? I was scared after I got it and heard said some gyms might not accept it
Unfortunately, some gyms don’t accept it. Taking the NCCPT certification which comes with ISSA can improve your odds though.
I’d talk to local employers and see what they prefer. I’m sure some will hire you with just the Issa cert. Some may want that NCCPT one too, which would then make it worth going after.
I have a BS in Kinesiology, and don’t have a PT certification. However, I was looking into taking a prenatal and postpartum course. Would I need to be a certified PT?Do you think it’s worth taking that course?
You wouldn’t need to be a certified trainer to take a prenatal or postpartum course. I think it’s worth taking a course like that if you plan on training many women in those scenarios. If you’re not planning on working with many of those types of clients I would wait on the certification a little longer.
I agree with your opinions 👍
Thanks for the support!
How much is the time limit in the final exam?
Woould your B+ rating change with the fact they are NCCA accredited now? I am looking at the Master Trainer program simply because I can get 4 specializations that I want for cheaper than elsewhere. I was initially looking at NASM but for all the specializations I'd want it would be almost double the cost.
Are they actually NCCA accredited or is that just the NCCPT exam that they’re offering that’s NCCA accredited? I don’t actually know, but as far as I can tell ISSA is still not accredited through the NCCA. The NCCPT is. It’s an old organization that they (ISSA) bought up a while ago but it doesn’t have good brand recognition.
Anyways, ya I might raise it up if they sort that out. The course is equivalent to NASM, they just don’t have the same reputation and ability to get trainers a job.
Hi, can anyone tell me which personal training program is most internationally recognized? Looking to move to South Korea
It’s probably ACE tbh. If you use this link you get 10% off any of their courses: acefitness.referralrock.com/l/JEFFPAYNE64/
So I just completed the ISSA open book exam for Strength and Conditioning.. Im trying to gauge if I even should do the proctored exam
Congrats! It’s worth doing if an employer requires a proctored exam (NCCA accredited). If not, probably not worth it.
NASM says no nutrition coaching so I had to get there cert instead.
I'm literally taking NASM nutrition course now....
NASM doesn’t necessarily say no nutrition coaching but they don’t do a good job of teaching how to do it and they also don’t do a good job of telling you what’s actually legal.
Yes it seems there is a fine line between what we can teach as personal trainers in regards to nutrition.
I’ve seen some reviews where people said that they were paid less being ISSA certified (saying that their gym only gave them 50% of the money from the client whereas the other trainers with certifications through other programs were paid at least 75%) and that the gyms took it less srsly because of their open book exam. Obviously this kinda scares the shit outta me bc I just enrolled into ISSA (only with $1 down for my first month just in case I wanted to cancel within the allowed 7 days to cancel) because of their 4th of July sale which was nice considering I still have one year of Highschool left and I’d like to start part time so I can make more money to go out and live on my own and get away from this chaotic town faster. So would it be alright to go with ISSA? Or would it be worth it to go with a program seen as more “legit” to not take then chance of getting paid less and not being taken as srsly? Or do you think that ISSA’s perceived credibility w gyms has improved since then? Thanks for your time if you’ve decided to actually read all of this. Also anyone else’s opinion would be nice too.
Good question! Most jobs will pay you the same things whether you’re certified through ISSA or NASM. That certainly doesn’t apply to everyone though. I would make sure to do NCCPT certification that’s included free with the ISSA certification as well. That should reduce the chances of you having any issues.
I have been searching for an online program that focuses on the nutrition aspect as well as training ... more in a holistic manner what would you suggest for an online program?
All of the programs are online and they all include a nutrition component these days. So you probably can’t go wrong with any of the main choices as far as certifications go. The main choices being NASM, ACE, and ISSA.
Which one you go for should be determined by where you want to work and what they prefer. If you’re looking to work on your own than any will work.
A lot of the jobs in applying to, doesn’t say ISSA certification. Which is stressing me out. Is this normal, or did they just forget about this school? I’m in the US
I do mention in the video that a lot of gyms don’t accept ISSA. It’s because it’s not NCCA accredited.
That being said you can take the NCCPT course alongside your ISSA course. The NCCPT one comes free with the ISSA one and having the two of them done should enable you to get just about any training job.
Do you think a Physical Therapy Assistant would benefit getting the ISSA CPT certification to get an edge entering the sports physical therapy realm?
Maybe! Though I would think that it would only benefit you a small amount in that scenario. The knowledge could be a little useful but I doubt it would make much of a difference on a resume.
@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation thank you for your insight
Is there any program that you would advise for someone who would just like the information for personal use and or for helping a friend or family in their health journey?
Good question! I wouldn’t recommend going through any certification program if you’re not planning on working/making money in the field.
You can get just as much info, and possibly better info from reading books such as starting strength, etc.
@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation ok. Thank you.
I am a nurse thinking of opening a yoga studio.. is the yoga ISSA training legit? I can't find reviews on that particular cert. Thanks!!
Tbh if you want to start a yoga studio I think you should probably seek a more intensive online program. I don’t know how the ISSA yoga cert is but I very much doubt it’s all that comprehensive.
ACE Certificate review please
That’s coming soon!
@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation which certificate course easy and pass easily sir
Awesome!
Thanks so much!
Is issa cpt accredited in 2024?
No they’re still not. The other course they offer, the NCCPT is accredited though. ISSA is not NCCA accredited specifically though.
I look forward to taking this course to obtain personal trainer certification. I enjoy weight training, hiking, biking, kayaking. Also, I am on board with other disciplines such as yoga. I plan to also pursue yoga certification. Yoga offers physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. And, if you’re going through an illness, recovering from surgery or living with a chronic condition, yoga can become an integral part of your treatment and potentially hasten healing. Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility. Slow movements and deep breathing increase blood flow and warm up muscles, while holding a pose can build strength. I have a background in ballet and gymnastics but I always felt tight. Yoga changed my life. Numerous studies show yoga’s benefits in arthritis, osteopenia, balance issues, oncology, women’s health, chronic pain and other specialties. I incorporate yoga into my physical fitness routine. It improves my performance in other activities. Thank you for the great advice.
Thanks for your support! Best of luck with the course!
@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation You are very welcome. I am very excited about this opportunity. I am also into DDP Yoga, Diamond Dallas's program. It keeps me on top of my game and he is an outstanding instructor. It will be fun to have a side business with yoga and personal training. I will keep you posted about my progress.
I really feel like I wasted my money with ISSA because a lot of gyms don't accept ISSA certs ..
what no way i dont believe you i know a ton of guys that are using it to work now.
@@mfrancisco_850 not the gyms in Michigan there's not a lot of gyms that will accept it
I know what can take your body beyond normal biochemical functions 😂😉👀
Hahaha so many good potential answers here!
Stay away from issa they are scammers when you want to cancel the course they don't want you to they will not allow you to
Unfortunately, I’ve heard stuff like that before
No one takes their certification that I’ve found.
Ya most accept it here but some don’t. It’s best to check with potential employers before getting it for that reason.
$1,000 for a fitness certification, wow, no thanks. From what I saw you also can't just can't get their book & pay for the exam, you gotta take the whole program. Certifications are going insane with costs now that money is tight for most people. It's a lose/lose really, since new trainers with limited knowledge pay a lot, then clients get questionable trainers that used an open exam. As someone who has a degree, I go with ACSM or NSCA.
I don’t disagree that these courses are overpriced, at least some of them are.
I’m not too big on the ACSM program but the NSCA one is pretty good. Here’s my thoughts on all the major courses if you’re interested:
ua-cam.com/video/an5iw5BG0tw/v-deo.html
No gym in my area excepts ISSA...
That’s a bummer! There are other good choices though so I wouldn’t worry about it. Go for one of the certifications accepted in your area!
@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation
I just passed my NASM exam last Friday 😁
Same! Which is stressing me out.
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Thank you for the support!